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| Sunday, 7 May 2006 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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From the
Hirsute: ~ Hair us out
by Rikaza Hassan
And while women have managed to get out of the stereotyping for the most part, men haven't even come close. I for one have long hair. Not long like waist long, but long like curly, unruly and showing just below my waist (at least the last time I checked). So why do I continue to grow my hair, long for longer tresses a.s.a.p.? When I was 16 it was about rebellion: I wanted to grow my hair for the first time in my life because mother dearest never found it 'proper' otherwise. However, as I grew my hair long, cut it real short, grew it again, cut it again, grew, cut, grew, cut and grew and cut it was about longing for the longer version of tresses that suited me, about turn and longing for the much shorter version that was easier to maintain (if you can call the way I treat my hair maintaining that is). Right now I am longing for those long curls to fall down to my waist in all its frizziness. The opportunity
Of course, as soon as he got out of home he began the journey towards longer tresses. Continuous combing in front of a mirror, a blotched attempt at trimming and lots of shampooing and nivea moisturizing cream, later he realized his dream, felt good and then went ahead and cropped it after my parents' never ending insistence. And why did he want long hair? (He is currently making preparations for round two in having long hair.) "I think long hair is cool. Besides, I think it looks good on me." According to anthropologists, in many societies, long hair shows 'openness', 'passion' and 'lack of inhibition'; while shaved heads and short hair symbolize 'discipline', 'denial' and 'conformity'. (Alford 1996) A "marketing man" in an advertising agency, Dhanuka has jet black hair straight down to his butt. "I was one of those people, who thought that men should have hair as short as possible, but then I grew my hair on a dare and I have been happier since. I look so much better with long hair, but also it helps me with my work. Looks and making a good first impression are very important in my line of work and long hair helps me a lot with that. Not only am I noticed because of my hair, but also women 'dig' it and the men are inquisitive. I'm very grateful to my hair. I love it." "I think a woman without a long head of hair is a woman trying to deny her femininity," according to Nishini, a banking executive. "Long hair suits absolutely any woman, is sexy, graceful, elegant. It's all things feminine." When it comes to the men though, she doesn't believe in its necessity. "Men with long hair are always attractive as long as it suits them and is well-kept. If the guy can't pull it off he might as well save himself the trouble." The Masai warriors of Africa used to tie their front hair into sections and braided, while the back hair was allowed to grow up to their waists. Women and non-warrior males however shaved their heads. Thomas is no warrior nor is he of African origin, but he does agree with their ideology. "Long hair is a macho thing. Just the fact that you had the guts to go against the grain, put up with the looks and the stares, the rude comments, shows your mettle. Besides, didn't most knights, soldiers and noblemen of ancient have long manes?" The norm The norm of short haired males actually became established in the post World War I world, when the formerly longer haired and bearded men were infested with lice and fleas during the trench warfare. "Long hair is great on anybody, male or female, as long as it suits the individual and is kept clean," says Harsha a long haired guy with his really long haired gal Poorni. "I think long hair is a gift. Not everyone has hair that grows as long as they want it or the patience to take care of it. Good looking long hair is very sexy on both men and women," reasons Poorni. So, is long hair the way for you to go forward? Do you dare? |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Does the hair cut make the man(or woman)? It is generally thought that
the male of our species must have short cropped hair, while the female of
our species must at least have a semblance of longer hair. 
Dearly beloved on the other hand was allowed the opportunity to have
shoulder length hair as a child, forced to cut it as a teenager and longed
to go back to the "good old days" when his hair fell right down to the end
of his neck. 
