I befriended a student with supreme-high ego last year. He was those quite "rebellious type" - inappropriate hairstyle and school uniform...etc. Recently i urged him to cut his hair. He said "I won't cut until the discipline teachers ask me to." He also said, "You are being very annoying. Many students think too." Finally, after internal struggles (as a frd and a teacher..) i warned him again but finally did what i needed to. Results: he said we won't be friends anymore. (He probably views me as betraying him.) Thinking back: i. I have done nothing wrong in asking him to cut his hair and informing my colleagues. I have fulfilled my duties. I live my conscience. ii. Perhaps the real problem is - i befriended him. It will be confusing to him as i am switching between my two roles - as a frd (whp should be supportive) and a teacher. (who should be fair) i can wear these two hats but he maynot understand. Indeed i start to believe firmly that teachers ought to keep distance w students. Then this perhaps will do them - and us - real good when we ought to discipline them , thereby upsetting them. | 
