defying gender beauty standards one strand at a time
By Yasmin Gohar
Everyone wants to know what makes or breaks a look; what makes an outfit or a model pop. Hair has always been a significant aspect of beauty in the fashion industry, especially for female beauty standards. Long, luscious, and hydrated are words used to describe typical hair beauty norms. Gender classifications and labels play prominent roles in how hair transforms individuals.
Mainly associated with femininity and female tropes, hair highlights a woman's delicacy, emotionality, and beauty. In contrast, stereotypes revolving around men's short hair highlight traditionally masculine traits of dominance, aggressiveness, and charm. These stereotypes create damaging perceptions of self while exposing unfair and inaccurate representations of women and men.
Today, men and women are defying typical gender standards. Labels are used interchangeably; with societal change come changes in fashion. For example, women have begun shaving their heads as a form of defiance against these norms. A shaved head indicates clean, sleek, put together – easier to manage. Typically a shaved head is associated with masculinity, but women are challenging the stigma.
Celebrities, influencers, and models are beginning to shave their heads, jumpstarting this trend. Dixie D’Amelio, Doja Cat, Millie Bobby Brown, and Willow Smith – to name a few – have shaved their heads. All these women are inspiring other women in their large social media followings. Although they have received a lot of support, they all have also received backlash on social media for their drastic change in appearance. Though primarily a show of their femininity, these women have also done it in accordance to this trend that worked to highlight their prominent facial features.
Women in Iran are also shaving their heads, although much less in reaction to trend reports and more in protest against regulations restricting femininity and female independence. For women in Iran, it is taboo and forbidden to show hair. Therefore, a woman’s decision to shave her head protests male dominance and the need to appeal to the male gaze. Although a hijab is meant to cover women’s hair, it is used for modesty– to cover the neck and chest. These restrictions on female appearance and self-expression have caused women to fight for long and cut their hair short.
Hair also holds cultural importance among black women. In Africa, some countries deem it a religious and cultural norm to shave a woman’s head, while some Westernized beliefs have shared opposing views. Upholding one’s natural beauty and staying true to one’s roots remains as important as curly and voluminous hair is prominent amongst black women culturally. This has created tension among black women feeling the need to keep their natural hair to fit into society’s norms. Black women’s hair has always been a relevant discussion, relating to radical movements — such as the Black Power era — and beauty standards. However, pressures and stigmas lie in every culture, creating dividing expectations for how women should present themselves. Thus, this creates more incentive for women to take control and shave their heads to highlight their beauty and femininity.
Hair is typically associated with sexualization and beauty; therefore, women are negatively categorized as less feminine and beautiful without hair. However, defying standards of femininity and rejecting gender stereotypes pave the path for future generations to follow. Like how different hairstyles showcase personality and originality, deciding to shave your head falls in line with styling your hair as it changes your looks.
It should not be men versus women and vice versa; it should be men and women working together to bring equality to everyone. Whether you dye it or cut it, new hairstyles can always impact how others perceive you. Hair should not define a woman’s beauty or be stereotypically associated with a specific gender. As stereotypes force men and women to follow certain norms, women shaving their heads are slowly closing the gap between genders.
Mainly associated with femininity and female tropes, hair highlights a woman's delicacy, emotionality, and beauty. In contrast, stereotypes revolving around men's short hair highlight traditionally masculine traits of dominance, aggressiveness, and charm. These stereotypes create damaging perceptions of self while exposing unfair and inaccurate representations of women and men.
Today, men and women are defying typical gender standards. Labels are used interchangeably; with societal change come changes in fashion. For example, women have begun shaving their heads as a form of defiance against these norms. A shaved head indicates clean, sleek, put together – easier to manage. Typically a shaved head is associated with masculinity, but women are challenging the stigma.
Celebrities, influencers, and models are beginning to shave their heads, jumpstarting this trend. Dixie D’Amelio, Doja Cat, Millie Bobby Brown, and Willow Smith – to name a few – have shaved their heads. All these women are inspiring other women in their large social media followings. Although they have received a lot of support, they all have also received backlash on social media for their drastic change in appearance. Though primarily a show of their femininity, these women have also done it in accordance to this trend that worked to highlight their prominent facial features.
Women in Iran are also shaving their heads, although much less in reaction to trend reports and more in protest against regulations restricting femininity and female independence. For women in Iran, it is taboo and forbidden to show hair. Therefore, a woman’s decision to shave her head protests male dominance and the need to appeal to the male gaze. Although a hijab is meant to cover women’s hair, it is used for modesty– to cover the neck and chest. These restrictions on female appearance and self-expression have caused women to fight for long and cut their hair short.
Hair also holds cultural importance among black women. In Africa, some countries deem it a religious and cultural norm to shave a woman’s head, while some Westernized beliefs have shared opposing views. Upholding one’s natural beauty and staying true to one’s roots remains as important as curly and voluminous hair is prominent amongst black women culturally. This has created tension among black women feeling the need to keep their natural hair to fit into society’s norms. Black women’s hair has always been a relevant discussion, relating to radical movements — such as the Black Power era — and beauty standards. However, pressures and stigmas lie in every culture, creating dividing expectations for how women should present themselves. Thus, this creates more incentive for women to take control and shave their heads to highlight their beauty and femininity.
Hair is typically associated with sexualization and beauty; therefore, women are negatively categorized as less feminine and beautiful without hair. However, defying standards of femininity and rejecting gender stereotypes pave the path for future generations to follow. Like how different hairstyles showcase personality and originality, deciding to shave your head falls in line with styling your hair as it changes your looks.
It should not be men versus women and vice versa; it should be men and women working together to bring equality to everyone. Whether you dye it or cut it, new hairstyles can always impact how others perceive you. Hair should not define a woman’s beauty or be stereotypically associated with a specific gender. As stereotypes force men and women to follow certain norms, women shaving their heads are slowly closing the gap between genders.