This Daddy Daughter Hair School Helps Girls Feel Confident

As a child, I rocked a slicked back ponytail that looked as painful as it felt. The stylist at fault? My father, who despite his best efforts was not equipped to handle my long, tangled mane. Suffice it to say, he could have used the Daddy Daughter Hair School.

Sound cool? It is. The initiative, which was started by a dad and his daughter about a year ago, is the stuff feel good news is made of. The story goes something like this: After becoming a single father, Phil Morgese found that he wasn’t equipped to handle his daughter Emma’s long hair in a way that would make her feel pretty and confident. With a lot of patience and care, he finally mastered the art and realized that there was a need to pass on his know-how to other single dads in his community.

Thirty-four classes and over 300 dads later, Morgese has helped to create a legion of skilled dads and reduced the number of frustrating mornings (and tears) spent in front of the mirror.

---

More on guys and hair:

1. This Father Son Makeup Session is Everything
2. This Barber Gives Discount Haircuts to Kids Who Read While He Works
3. How to Help a Guy With His Hair

---

There’s good reason for the popularity. Daddy Daughter Hair School addresses a situation many modern families find themselves in—whether dads are stepping into the single parent role, sharing custody like my parents did or staying home with the kids while mom is at work, more men are stepping in as their daughters’ stylists. My father’s lack of skill makes a funny anecdote I like to tease him with, but in all seriousness, dads doing hair is a real issue.

“It’s not about the braid, it’s about the bond,” Morgese says in a video about the program.

“Gender roles? That’s just going to have to go,” Morgese said. “Fatherhood is evolving. We need to stay connected with our children—that’s really what’s going to change this world.” I couldn't agree more.

Watch the full video about Daddy Daughter Hair Factory and expect to shed a few tears. And then check out other 60 Second Docs on YouTube.

Say 'bye' to dry hair once and for all: