Buzzcuts

Motives behind and opinions of the sweeping stylistic movement at Middlesex

Photo by Max Linton

Buzzcuts. Love them or hate them, they are here to stay for the next few months as hair grows and students face the consequences of their actions. In this sweeping movement there exist interesting intricacies concerning one’s rationale: in essence, varying motives separate the founders from the followers. One regretful student who admitted to succumbing to the group mentality, Arjun Rath, expressed his regret after he buzzed with a friend, hating his hair now, especially after it took months to grow back normally. Other freshmen, like roommates Logan Hoffman and Blake Hardy, cut hair together, bonding not only as roommates but as lifelong friends who sacrificed their hair for a trend. 

While many other Middlesex boys, specifically freshmen, acted sheeplike by following the herd, a couple shaved it all before the hype. Will Cohen, a gritty lacrosse player committed to his grind, showed dedication to his sport in Florida last spring break, choosing to buzz in order to perform well at his lacrosse camp. This winter, the prime time for buzz cuts, Will chose to get a buzz cut not only to focus on his academic career but also for its supposed bold style.

The campus’ buzzed population shares a unifying emblem of respect among each other, garnering the attention of other participants of the trend. With the great impact buzzcuts have had on the school, taking Middlesex boys by storm, one would expect the origin to be extraordinary. While there are many in the herd who follow the trend, only two truly set it, serving as, one might say, shepherds. George Leness and Teddy Fritzinger, upon discussing with other upperclassmen, decided to get buzzcuts because, well, it would be funny: simple as that. However, this joke inspired others to follow, as the underclassmen see leadership in the upperclassmen, causing numerous freshmen and sophomores to buzz. 

While many underclassmen enjoyed the experience of relinquishing their hair, the gravity of their lifestyle change almost inevitably hit when they looked at their sunken skulls in the mirror and met their disappointed parents. For example, Kai Raczkowshi, another buzzed freshman, neglected the threats of his parents when deciding to buzz, choosing to cut his hair off even though “[his] mom said she’d pull tuition.” Despite this alienating action, freshmen indeed benefited as well, avoiding the suffering of fixing their hair and receiving attention for a unique look. 

Many boys are cutting their hair for the validation of other boys, but many girls do not like this rapid change. When asked if boys should follow through, Lev, a freshman girl, responded with a single word––“don’t”––as she is fed up with the animalistic hairstyles that taint the image of freshmen. Avery Green, a concerned underclassman, shared similar sentiments, claiming that it isolates girls, as they could not participate without social ridicule. Moreover, she claimed that public opinion is extremely critical of the movement outside of the niche group of buzzcut teens and their friends, claiming that members disturb the peace with their striking presence. Buzz cuts are loved by shepherds and sheeple alike and hated by most others, with the controversy in turn creating a stronger affinity for the lifestyle.

Nik Rizvi