Hair Story from Anne: a vague feeling of breaking a taboo

Long time memories from when I was 7 or 8 years old, living in the countryside. Summer and tall grass. I always dreamt of having long hair, something which my mother wouldn't consider for me (I guess because short hair are easier to maintain). Secretly I made myself a ponytail out of weeds and clothespins !!! I felt beautiful, at the same time having the vague feeling of breaking a taboo. Maybe the taboo was not as strong as my imagination wanted me to believe, because later I let my hair grow for real! 

Anne, 65, Female, Belgium 

#Gender
#Short #Long #GirlDreamLong #ShortEasy

Hair Story from M.

At the age of 30, after 15 years of wearing my hair more or less short, I decided to let my hair grow really long. After an ugly transition, when my hair reached mid-length, I got sick. I had to take drugs that made me lose a lot of hair. My hair turned ugly again, so I cut it. 

Since then, the disease has stabilized but I never really cut my hair again. Although I like to change the way I look a lot, something is holding me back. It seems as if my long hair has become a symbol of my victory over the disease.
M., 40’s, Female, Belgium 

#Symbolism #SymbolVictory
#Loss #Long

Hair Story from Suzanne

When I was very young, my hair was thick, long and chestnut colored with waves that cascaded down my back. One day, when I was about ten years old, I sat at my mother's dressing mirror and cut it all off. I was/am always impatient and I wanted to be grown up...so thinking back, I cut my hair off so I could be older...and of course my mother would never cut my hair so....so there was a huge defiance in my act too. She wept when she found me. 

From then on I looked at my hair as a work in progress. Color, permanents, cutting, growing.
After my father died, I shaved my head and moved to Jamaica. It grew in silver, except for a patch of chestnut color along the very back of my head. A reminder perhaps of my
youth. Now, I am letting it grow long....but then maybe one day, I will take up a scissor and cut it all off.
Suzanne, 67, Female, US-Jamaica.
#Short #Long #GreyHair #SymbolEmotion 

Hair Story by Paul: The hair came, and warmed my head

This is my second time growing my hair. Also my favourite time. This time it’s for certain. But it didn’t start that way. I was in cold country toiling away away, with no barber for miles around. And then the hair came, and warmed my head. I vowed to love her back, she’s made me more beautiful yet.

Paul, 30, Male, Jamaica

#LongHairForMen

#HairToWarm

Hair Story by Pew: a convo

So I had a convo at the gas station when the pump attendant admired my companion’s hair. I told her to do hers like it - she said she’s waiting for her hair to grow. That was weird cos her hair was long so I asked “how long is your hair?” she reached almost to the base of her hair and said “this long”. I immediately wondered what she looks like without her “hair”.

Pew, 50-60, Male, Jamaica

#Extension #Weaves #Long #Short

Hair Story by Karl: Archaic stereotypes must die out

Growing up I was allowed to grow my hair slightly but high school rules prevented this & I had to cut it down to 1 inche for 7 years, whilst other groups (Asians & Indians) were allowed to keep their hair at much greater lengths. After high school I’ve grown my hair out and cut it several times, but always of my volution to many mixed reactions. Curly, unrully, wild, fluffy are among the terms I hear. Within the family is where I get the most opposition, but professionally it’s never hindered me, and now it grow it out of love and to show I can work with or without it. Archaic stereotypes must die out.

Karl, Male, Jamaica

#SocialPressureSchool #SocialPressureFamily #Stereotype #SchoolRules

#SchoolRules #DifferentOriginDifferentRules

#Gender #LongHairForMale

#ArchaicStereotypesMustDieOut

Hair Story: it was crucifixion...

So I always wanted to grow my hair. Finally got the chance when I went on my own to “college”. However came back home and gosh it was crucifixion. You know how tradition is!

But I’m still rocking it… It’s kinda nappy right now… Jah Rastafari !!!

I love my look tho ;-)

X, Male

#SocialPressureFamily

#LongHairForMen

Hair Story by Michail

I started growing my hair for college but I was forced to cut it because of religion and my parents. I want to colour my hair but I live in constant fear of being labelled a homosexual. I am open with my sexuality - but I still fear death.

Currently I’m growing my hair again.

Let’s see how this goes.

Michail, 19, Male, Jamaica-Barbados

#SocialPressureFamily #Gender #Religion

#LongHairForMen #Colour

Hair Story from Paul: dreadlocks as a symbol of reconciliation with my own desire ...

I always wanted to have longer hair but never have the courage to do it because of the fear not to be socially fully accepted.

Recently I decided to let it grow and aim at to have dread locks as a symbol of courage, rebellion but as well reconciliation with my own desire.

Paul-Emile, 28, Male, Haiti

#Gender #Stereotype #SocialPressure #Symbole

#LongHairForMen #Dreadlocks

Hair Story by A.

I have been growing my hair out every chance I have gotten and it is the most amazing feeling when I am in a car and the breeze blows through my hair. My grown hair causes many conflicting emotions as it is quite strenuous but I love my hair regardless and can not imagine cutting it.

A., 20’, Male, Jamaica

#MaleGrowingHair