I recently had my hair shaved and buzzed from waist length like my favourite actress Natalie Portman (It was so liberating) and donated it to Locks of Love, I had some very bad reactions from people in the street to my new shaved look and some friends have been very critical of me, airing complaints and saying I'd made a mistake!
2006-07-03 06:13:37 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Beauty & Style ➔ Hair
I think that people in Western culture have traditionally seen women with shaved hair as unattractive. Throughout history, a woman's hair has been known as "her crowning glory", and female hairstyles have always been an extremely important part of fashion and beauty. Long, flowing hair is just part of the traditional beauty ideal in western culture - just like slender bodies, and big boobs. It is discriminatory, and it does encourage a cookie cutter sense of beauty, but unfortunately it's also just the way it is here. Interestingly, it's not the same in other cultures like in some parts of Africa where the majority of women routinely shave their heads.
As to where this taboo may have started, there's a socio-biological theory that in the past, long healthy hair was a key indicator of a woman's fertility, and thus women with longer hair were more sought after by our ancestors. This preference was passed down to us.
A few years ago, I shaved my head too, and I know how hard it can be. People will either absolutely love it, or hate it - there's no in between! In the end though, it's all about how you feel. If you love it and are happy that's all that matters. If people's bad reactions ever get you down, just think about the 2 or 3 people who your hair donation will help and how happy you will have made them - that should lift your spirits!
2006-07-03 06:46:40 · answer #1 · answered by HoneyB 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You did a great thing. Locks of Love is a very great charity and anyone who criticizes you for doing something to help someone else is not someone that you need to be around. Obviously that is something that you believed in and they should be supportive of you.
Now as far as people in the street, that is a different thing. No one can understand why people are so judgmental. But that is just life.
It would be the same thing for them to stare at you if you were like a thousand pounds walking down the street with a halter top on. Or if you know there is nothing wrong with and they look anyway. Its just life.
By the way Natalie Portman is one of favorite actresses and well as Julia Stiles.
2006-07-14 11:42:06 · answer #2 · answered by ♫†☼☼♥Natasha♥☼☼†♫ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't shave all my hair off, but I do grow it out and then donate it to Locks of Love every few years; that's awesome!! If your friends can't accept you no matter what, then they are not very good friends. And people in the street - who cares? They're just idiots :) To actually answer your question, it's probably taboo just because women have always had long hair for the most part; going bald is just not something many women do. But you had a very cool reason; something to donate besides money, and it's for kids, etc. Cool!
2006-07-17 12:54:10 · answer #3 · answered by ♥ Luveniar♫ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never seen people act like it's taboo for women to have short hair.
At one point I had my hair buzzed at the nape of the neck and no one said a thing.
And I think it's great that you donated your hair. I'm donating 10 inches in another 1 1/2 months.
2006-07-03 13:19:31 · answer #4 · answered by Mama Pastafarian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think there is nothing wrong with. If you like it, then don't worry about other people's reactions. Good job on donating it to Locks of Love. I don't see how you made a mistake. It's your body, and it's not up to them to decide if you've made a mistake or not. Some people just can't stand change.
2006-07-03 13:19:18 · answer #5 · answered by Liz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because throughout history women have had long hair and men have had short hair. My personal belief is that women should have hair long enough to distinguish her as female because of what the Bible says:
"1Co 11:14-15 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. "
{That means that all the pictures of Jesus showing Him with long hair are wrong!!}
Anyway, all that aside, it's your own business if you want your hair that short. And it was a very good thing to donate your hair as you did! Don't worry about what your friends say!
2006-07-03 13:23:09 · answer #6 · answered by married_so_leave_me_alone1999 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
look at them and say hey, this is my head and it will grow back. I use to have hair down to my waist, and now your lucky if i let it grow long enough to touch my shoulder. Time was the biggest factor for me, short hair has more style possibilities, and less maintaining each day. How great that you got liberation from sharing. Please do not allow others to rob you of this empowerment, and as i said before it Will Grow Back. Most folks resist change, and your hair ( or lack off) will take others some time to adjust.
2006-07-03 13:26:01 · answer #7 · answered by taffneygreen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who cares what others think of your short hair?? You not only donated your locks but you probably look good with that short hair cut! Rock your Buzz Cut Girl!
2006-07-17 01:41:02 · answer #8 · answered by GoldenLocs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about what other people think.... They are just jealous. I'm sure some little girl out there is loving you right now for giving your hair to Locks For Love. Just keep doin' the GI Jane thing Girl. I'm sure you look great! Its just hair it will grow back.
2006-07-12 10:09:58 · answer #9 · answered by exotic69n 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, ive seen a girl with cancer that had shaved hair and a really fat girl that shaved her hair in a desperate attempt for attention. So when I see a woman with very short hair I think either, a. she has cancer, or b. she wants attention in the worst way,
2006-07-03 13:23:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋