For women, hair is a representation of their individual identity. In many ways, a woman’s hair is a symbol of self-expression and can be used to make a statement whether it may be temporary or indefinite. With the variations of haircuts and hairstyles that are evolving in our culture, women continue to find freedom in their hair.
Some women prefer to be identified by a particular hairstyle; it can be the exact same hairstyle, baby hairs framing the side of the face, with the same part in the middle, bouncy curls, etc. To them, this same hairstyle has become apart of their identity and represented something more than just how they choose to wear their hair in public. Other women prefer to identify with multiple different hairstyles and look to invigorate their next hairstyle. Whatever the case may be, your hair is your choice.
Before coming to college, my whole life was spent in a private school where women were subject to regulations on their hair. If your hair was styled outside the dress code, students were subject to serve detention until they got a haircut; if they didn’t “fix it” by the next day, that student would be suspended. It was not until the administration began targeting women of color for rocking traditional black hairstyles that I began to notice the institution’s suppression of individual identity. When being called out on their choice of “disciplinary action” the school’s administration stated that they are regulating women’s hair from being too distracting to other students and staff. After this statement was made to the entire student body, I remember thinking, “what does that even mean?” Explain to me how a young woman’s choice of individuality can distract a student from focusing on their work besides their own ignorance.
Although many women say that their hair is a representation of their unique identity, I cannot speak for all women. No one needs hair to express their femininity and social status. However, if your hair is a canvas that illustrates your individuality, make it bold and “distracting” because the only thing people should be distracted by is how beautiful you are from the inside out.