Is Long Hair a symbol of Masculinity and Potency?

Question

In the Bible, the story of Samson and Delilah tells of how the great Warrior and hero Samson was ensnared by Delilah, and removed his hair. The result was that he lost all his strength until it grew back.

In modern societies, many businesses demand strict dress standards of men, where the standard uniform is a suit and a tie, with clean cropped short hair.

Yes one has only to look to film to see numerous examples of Long Haired men as heroic powerful potent figures, a far higher proportion, I suspect than the ratio of long haired to short haired men in the US and much of Europe.

Do our societies encourage men to keep their hair short because mostly they work within a hierarchy, and because at some level, a long haired man is perceived as being threatening?

Is Long Hair a symbol of Masculinity and Potency?

Answer 1

I was going to say what Starky said
(Girls became a lot more interested in dating me after I grew my hair long.

Let the results speak for themselves.)

I grew my hair long because I didn't want to pay for haircuts, but after I did that, I went from never getting laid, to getting laid to the point I didn't want to have sex anymore. My current gf told me that's because long thick hair is seen as a sign of male fertility (and everyone is attracted to what they percieve as fertility in the other sex).

Coincedently, I also get accused of being a dirty hippie, but that's mostly on account of me being lazy :P

People used to have long hair, the obessive perfect short cut thing is a more recent invention.

Answer 2

Sampson was a very unusual case from a biblical perspective. In the Old Testament scriptures, the concept of the Nazarite existed, where the man undertaking the "challenge" was not allowed to shave for a period, drink alcohol among other things. Samson was required by God to live by this standard from birth.

The normal rule about biblical hair length in men is that having long hair is dishonorable, while having short hair was meant to reflect a man's status as being "in the image of God."

Answer 3

I like long hair but it must be clean and neat. The scraggly look is a turn off. Because having long hair is unusual, I do think it is a way to get attention from everyone. Those of you who can should try it as an experiment. Yes, longer hair of any kind can be a symbol of masculinity and prowess, but I also see it as romantic. I think of Lord Byron and Adrian Paul as The Highlander and Fabio from all the Romance novel covers.
C. :)!!

Answer 4

Yes, for some long hair is a symbol of potency. For others, like me, it is a symbol of freedom, a sign of one who is fearlessly thinking and living outside the box--e.g. hippies, beatniks, Rastas, artists, freethinkers. Perhaps there is a connection there between potency and freedom. As for virility? Hmmm. Maybe in romance novels or films.

To some this might be perceived as threatening, i.e. those who position themselves as the keepers of the status quo.

Personally, I love long hair on a man. For all the reasons I have listed here. Yes... Such a turn on.

Answer 5

He did not cut his hair becuase of a vow to God. That is the part about him being a Nazarite. In having cut hair, he defied the covenant with God and his God-given strength was lost. It is not a story about hair, but about letting anything get between a man and his duties to God. More on the restrictions placed on Nazarites can be found below.

Answer 6

Good hair is a sign of health and vitality. As a woman, I do find long hair sexy, for example Johnny Depp or Orlando Bloom and I am disappointed that men nowadays don't have long hair.

Hiowever, if you think about teh long hair fashion in the 70's, the males hair was more feminine wasn't it?

Answer 7

You asked "Is Long Hair a symbol of Masculinity and Potency ?"
Answer :- NO
It just adds up to the Machismo I guess, nothing else :o) just the visual effect.

Take Care and have a fabulous day my friend

Answer 8

It can definitely be seen as such -- next time you're in a bookstore, look at the covers of a few romance novels. I do agree with you in that second-to-last paragraph, "Do our societies . . ." although nobody in a position of power would agree -- they would call it a health and cleanliness issue, probably.

Have a great night!

Answer 9

Forget the fairy tales. Hair is a matter of fashion, personal taste or perception. Personality and looks decide whether or not long hair has the desired effect.

Answer 10

Medium size hair because it is easy in order to handle and you can still do most of the hairstyles