23 Jun 2006
Spying at the salon

This is getting creepy, indeed. I wonder when we'll begin deputizing bartenders for the "War on Terror"?

Should hairdressers be agents in the campaign against domestic violence? It's a close call. Several states encourage and train stylists to look for signs of abuse. It's already a bit creepy that stylists may be sizing you up and analyzing your conversation for signs that your husband or boyfriend is beating you. It's much creepier when hairdressers are supposed to report to authorities about what they think is going on in your home. Maine has just joined the list of states that have such programs. The Bangor News reports: "The idea is that women often open up to their hairdressers, so they should be alert and report problems." If so, hairdressers are now being trained to be snitches, using rapport and friendship with their customers to gather information for authorities–for the customers' own good, of course.

(link) [U.S. News & World Report]

14:44 /Politics | 0 comments | permanent link