Hair: Social views

To understand the how and why of peoples perceptions of hair I did some research on the how hair has been looked at socially thru the ages…



Punishment
In different cultures and societies cutting or shaving someone’s hair has been used as punishment and demoralisation. Like in during the Second World War, the Nazi’s would shave the heads of the prisoners of the concentration camps. To show then that they had no power and to destroy they’re moral.


Equality
Sometimes shaving heads is used as a tool for equality in the military.



No ego
Buddhist monks shave their heads to let all sence of ego go.



Pride
In the USA African American citizens used to wear their hair in an afro as a symbol of racial pride.


Sexual freedom
In de 1920s women known as ‘flappers’ cut their traditional long hair as an symbol of their independence and sexual freedom.

Wealth Regular going to the hairdresser is considered as a sign of wealth in some cultures



They shall not make baldness upon their head Letting your hair grow long is a must in some regions, they belief that you are not suppose to cut, crop or alter your hair.

Distancing In the 1960s ‘Hippies’ grew their hair long to distance themselves from mainstream society.


Morning Shaving the head or cutting hair also stands for morning and letting go of the past in certain cultures.





Modesty In some religions scarves, wigs and other head coverings cover the hair as a sign of modesty.