Why do so many black women have short hair?

Question

I'm not trying to put black girls down cause I am one. But I just noticed that I have hardly seen many black gurls with REAL hair going much past the shoulders. I also noticed that a lot of my friends used to have hair down their backs when they were young but have extremly short hair now. I have seen tha trend a lot. Is it the perms. I think it is. Maybe it is lack of knowledge on how to care for black hair? Many people are not gentle and do tomany chemical and heat treaments to their hair. Black hair is gentle! I know it can't be genetics. so what is it?

i didn't say all. i have seen black gurls with long hair. and i know having it short isn't a preference. at least for the girls i know.

Answer 1

It is because of Hair Abuse! No other race of women does so many damaging things to their hair. Almost all black women in America either currently perm their hair or have done in the past. Typically a black women has her first perm when she is in her early teens and continues perming for the rest of her life. That is very very damaging to the hair. The hair still continues to grow but it breaks off as it grows which makes certain people believe that black women's hair does not grow.

IF black women's hair did not grow - why would so many of them go to the salon every 6 weeks for a relaxer touch up?? It's the new growth that they are getting relaxed time and time again.

I have long hair. It's all natural. I'm fully black. My hair is growing like weeds. When I used to use perms/relaxers on my hair, it would never grow log. Now it just won't stop growing. Go figure!

Answer 2

Short Hair On Black Women

Answer 3

Short Hair Black Girl

Answer 4

If someone's genetics allows there hair to grow a fast rate and they have short hair- and they want to have long hair, the problem is damage. Most people use perms which totally destroy the hair. It cannot be changed back except by cutting and starting over. The problem is-most never make it through the growing out stage without getting frustrated and resorting back to chemically damaging the hair. Its an awful cycle. On top of that many black people think that because their hair is kinky that this means that they need the flat iron on high when a low or medium setting will get it straight.

Answer 5

I agree. It's from damaging styling and hair care practices. I am black and my hair is natural. I generally don't do anything but co-wash it wear it in a bun everyday. My hair is growing very quickly. It was slightly below the shoulder to now half way down the back. If you want healthy long hair, the key is keep it clean and don't do anything to it. The trade off is less attention and people may view you as even lazy for not doing anything to your hair. But wearing in out requires significant damage caused by blow drying and flat ironing. It's something that should NOT be done often. But those special occasions when you wear it down, it will be very long and healthy because you've left it alone. That's the key to hair health.

Answer 6

I prefer hair which is shoulder length or longer, As well as since that men who like females are more often then not straight, they like long hair because that looks more feminine, as most males have short hair.

Answer 7

Probably do to alot of styling. When girls are young they are not curling their hair or putting perms in it. Its usually in its natural state being braided or being put up. Once we get older we start doing more which puts more stress on our hair. Otherwise I would say preference. Some girls like short hair.

Answer 8

It is hard growing up and realizing that there are questions that has no 1 set answer.
Everyone has a personal choice.
Sometimes genetics or health issues are involved and limit what we would do if we could.
For instance, how many bald men would like to be bald?
I have thyroid problems, when it acts up, my hair falls out.
You just learn to live with the fact that you are you and you are different than other people.
That is why being human is so wonderful! We as a species, have some of the greatest diversity in the world.

Answer 9

relaxers...plus when you add tracks, or braids for a long period of time it pulls and puts tension on the hair. not to mention adding color, You would be amazed to watch the hair lift sooo quickly when you put bleach on relaxed hair-I don't think stylists are careful enough about that. I put hilights in a black girls hair that I worked with once and only used 10 vol peroxide, and really you have to take it out after like 10 mins tops. If you want healthy naturally long hair you have to kind of pick one-if your hair is natural then it will withstand the extensions and braids much better, maybe even a few hilights.

Answer 10

Its the same for all women, hair is more manageable when its short. I think African hair is a little harder to manage, its sometimes frizzy. Corn rows and braids stay together better with African hair, its awesome.