How much does 'hair' contribute to society's perceptions of others (us)?

[JinJan]

I guess this question goes here, in the 'appearance' category - but, I am talking about it more psychologically, I think.  I finally just cut my own hair, recently (after commenting here, that I would really like a crew cut, except that it would be too extreme, for my hubby) - well, after realizing that my hair, wouldn't 'stand up' in a crew cut anyway, LOL, I just began cutting.  Now, my hair is about 1-inch long, all over.  It lays down pretty flat, although I can 'spike it' in the back, with a flat iron, if I want.

So, I finally feel like 'me', with regard to my hair (maybe I will post a pic soon) - then, I got to wondering - just how much (%, maybe), does our hair (or hairstyle?), contribute, to society's perceptions, of us, as a whole person?  I mean, I know that our hair, doesn't provide a 'look into our soul' - although, maybe it actually does?  Maybe you folks can figure out what I am trying to ask, here - I know in my head, but it isn't coming out right.  Also, I looked briefly, at other posts - I realize, that this topic, may have already been discussed, ad nauseum, so I apologize, for the repetition.  Thanks for listening, anyway!  JinJan.

[suzifrommd]

I recently tried to figure out exactly how I "gender" people. I.e. what do I look at first, what kind of people do I need a second look at, etc.

My conclusion was that I look at hair first and don't look at much else unless I see something incongruous.

So my answer to you is that hair is big part of the impression you made.

Congrats, JinJan for doing what you've wanted to do for a while. I hope you'll post a pic...

[JinJan]

AG - Thanks for your reply.  Like you, I believe that, right or wrong, hair IS a very important 'determining factor', as to how we judge someone's gender.  Having said that, it still really surprises me, that I cut my hair, the way that I did, recently.  Not because it is even shorter, but because, of all my hairstyles, this is probably the 'blandest' style, I have ever had.  But you know what - I finally, and really, don't care, anymore - it just feels like 'me' - and that is all I care about.

I tell you - the process, of getting to this final hair style, was brought about, via sheer 'compulsion', from somewhere deep, inside me.  It took a while to get here, but I couldn't say 'no' to it - I just HAD to keep working toward this cut.  I feel so relieved, and unburdened now, too - it is amazing.  Thanks for listening.  JinJan.

[ativan]

I am seen as a woman from behind a lot. Especially if I have 3" heels.
I am still quite male in appearance from the front, though. I'm changing a little.
A more androgyn look will get there in it's own time.

My hair is long, down the middle of my back, the avatar pic is current.
It's got to be. To cut it short would be traumatic.
I think hair style is very important to how you feel about yourself, regardless of who you are.
I absolutely love having a feminine appearance from behind.
Just sitting here, my hair falling forward as I learn forward towards my keyboard, curling as it dries...
I can't imagine it any other way.

Yep, it's very important for everyone, whether anyone wants to admit it or not.

Ativan

[JoanneB]

I think it counts for a lot. But then I started loosing mine at 14 so I have a thing about hair

[Kelly J. P.]

 Hair contributes massively. Men have short hair, women have long hair. It's not possible for men to have long hair, you know! It just doesn't... grow. And women with short hair are obviously lesbians.

I think it counts for a lot. But then I started loosing mine at 14 so I have a thing about hair

That [insert expletive]ing sucks. I know a bit about early puberty and how things like that happen before their time, but my hair loss didn't start until seventeen, which thankfully did almost nothing because I happened to start HRT at seventeen.

[insideontheoutside]

It is a society thing. Currently in the U.S. males with long hair still seem to be judged immediately as more feminine or something. It wasn't always that way of course. I mean, even looking back through "western" history men wore their hair longer and it was no big thing, it was even the going style during times. And of course in other cultures it varies too. All that aside, I do think that people judge gender by hair and that it's one of the major factors.

[Glubert]

I believe facial features are the most important factor in assessing others in society. For example, consider Jack from Mass Effect; http://puu.sh/12cbH Very feminine facial features; short hair. Andrej Pejic appears feminine, even with short hair; http://puu.sh/12cfg

Long hair is certainly associated with femininity; possibly could explain why many gay men and transpeople choose to express their femininity by growing out their hair.

[noeleena]

Hi,

It has little meaning for   me  as i have none & nore do i wear a wig.  i did wear a wig for 11 yars till id had enough  headache's  bad hair days , the only time ill wear my wig is for our Edwardian group as i wear long skirts tops & bonnits . so my peers like me to do that when we have our get togethers, ,

Other wise just my head wear of hats or scarves, of many different colours, & im well known by those. some 3.000 people plus others,

My avatar shows how people see me so that gives you an  idear,

To me its not importaint to have hair & my many friends dont care, they know me for who i am .

& any way our cancer people allso know me as well & iv had inqireys about head wear & people will come up to me  so that tells you something about us.

...noeleena...

[cindianna_jones]

Hair is probably the first clue. In my teens it was my saving feature because I could pass with it.

[Lyric]

Hair is nothing but stacks of dead cell on the head, but society has always placed huge significance to it. In pretty much every culture it accompanies clothing in creating defining gender. I suspect it became increasingly important as a gender symbol as people started covering their gender defining parts with clothing.

From your original post, though, JinJan, you seem more concerned how the social significance of hair affects your attitude about yourself. That's certainly due to living your life surrounded by men with short hair and women with longer hair. The most important thing is that you feel better with yourself with your hair this way. One great thing about the hair and it's psycho/social influence is that it can be easily and even temporarily changed. I think anything that can harmlessly increase good feelings is a great thing.

~ Lyric ~

[androgynoid]

I've noticed that my hair definitely affects how I get gendered. When I have a more conventional pixie cut, I get ma'am'd, and the shorter the sides and back are, the more I get sir'd.

I don't know if it's more about specific hairstyles being gendered, or if it's something to do with the way your haircut interacts with the shape of your face and other aspects of your presentation. My current haircut is more typical of a queer woman than of a man, but combined with my simple men's glasses I think it looks my face look more angular and my chin stronger, leading me to get gendered male.

I think hair style is very important to how you feel about yourself, regardless of who you are.

This. I felt so much more like me when I cut my waist-length hair off.

[Brightest After Dawn]

It is a society thing. Currently in the U.S. males with long hair still seem to be judged immediately as more feminine or something. It wasn't always that way of course.

Really? I've noticed that short hair is associated with masculinity in men (and androgyny/masculinity in women), and long hair with femininity in women, but I've not noticed the same thing with long hair on men. Long-haired men would probably get called "unkempt" or "hippie" (even if they're not) long before they would be read as feminine. (There is a certain crucial length, between the chin and shoulders, that is seen as a bit more feminine though).

I've just not noticed a lot of men with long hair presenting particularly "femme", and I can even think of a few masculine archetypes associated with long hair (ie bikers).

But you're definitely right, the association is very specific to the modern West, and hasn't always been made even here. Ask any periwigged gentleman from the 16-1700's! 

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

For me it is a big deal.  I am bald on top and I have no normal hair line.

[EmmaS]

For me, it's definitely that very first impression. It's not something I actively think about obviously but there are several factors that play into determining ones' gender. Hair definitely plays a large part in that impression, but that isn't the only thing in my opinion. I also see what type of clothing the person is wearing and whether it's a typical male/female article of clothing as well as the style if their is an obvious one. With that, I definitely notice their face and whether it leans more feminine or masculine, and use that as a partial reference. Things like earrings and makeup can also be helpful in determining but not always. How the person moves and walks is a big one for me and obviously their voice if they speak right away or something. I'm sure there are other ways, but that's all I could think of, but hair is a huge part along with the face.

[insideontheoutside]

Really? I've noticed that short hair is associated with masculinity in men (and androgyny/masculinity in women), and long hair with femininity in women, but I've not noticed the same thing with long hair on men. Long-haired men would probably get called "unkempt" or "hippie" (even if they're not) long before they would be read as feminine. (There is a certain crucial length, between the chin and shoulders, that is seen as a bit more feminine though).

I've just not noticed a lot of men with long hair presenting particularly "femme", and I can even think of a few masculine archetypes associated with long hair (ie bikers).

But you're definitely right, the association is very specific to the modern West, and hasn't always been made even here. Ask any periwigged gentleman from the 16-1700's! 

Oh there's definitely other factors that influence it so I shouldn't just say "immediately". One of the main things is the difference between actually styling vs the wild, unkempt biker look. If you style it at all, you seem to be deemed to be more "femme". Also, what clothes are you rocking with the long hair? Fashionable, people seem to think femme, or "pretty boy", or something along those lines.

And lastly, there's what area do you live in ... metropolitan or rural? Plenty of guys with nice, styled long hair and fashionable clothes in L.A. ... a small town in rural Texas, not so much.

[Brightest After Dawn]

Oh there's definitely other factors that influence it so I should just say "immediately". One of the main things is the difference between actually styling vs the wild, unkempt biker look. If you style it at all, you seem to be deemed to be more "femme". Also, what clothes are you rocking with the long hair? Fashionable, people seem to think femme, or "pretty boy", or something along those lines.

And lastly, there's what area do you live in ... metropolitan or rural? Plenty of guys with nice, styled long hair and fashionable clothes in L.A. ... a small town in rural Texas, not so much.

For sure...a lot of men seem to not style their hair so well...I remember in high school, even though long hair on men was fashionable at the time, it was actually seen as unmanly to comb it! lol

[AnarchoChloe]

I don't know, I know a lot of cisgender men with some really amazing long hair.  Even if it's not as clean as I prefer, they can grow some really good thick long hair.

[ativan]

Oh there's definitely other factors that influence it so I should just say "immediately". One of the main things is the difference between actually styling vs the wild, unkempt biker look. If you style it at all, you seem to be deemed to be more "femme". Also, what clothes are you rocking with the long hair? Fashionable, people seem to think femme, or "pretty boy", or something along those lines.

And lastly, there's what area do you live in ... metropolitan or rural? Plenty of guys with nice, styled long hair and fashionable clothes in L.A. ... a small town in rural Texas, not so much.

Yeah, that's me in the Avatar pic from last August or September.
I had a friend take photos from front to back, pants to skirt. Some passer by's in the park had as much fun as I did.
I live in a rural district that has it's own hate group by SPLC, and elected one of the worst members of congress when it comes to TGLB people.
Is the skirt to femme? Since I don't actually style my hair, is it that wild, unkempt biker look?
LOL, I get mistaken for a female from behind, but never from the front.
Doesn't seem to matter what the clothes are. Snug femme clothes to tight t-shirt and camo pants and combat boots.
The reaction is generally the same where ever I go. From the small town down the road to the big city.
My body language is pretty neutral in a sense, although there is a mix of strong fem and masculine.
Works for me.
Ativan

*Edit 2/27/13: changed Avatar (again)

[Natkat]

this is an old topic I want to post anyway.

I think hair is pretty big point in our look and how other view us.
I wish hair wouldnt be much of a big deal but it seams as hair is connected to alot of identety or boxes you can put on other.

if you ex see someone with pink hair and someone with casual hair you would probably think diffrent about those people on what theyre interest might be or what they would like or not.

however I also think its a cultural question, the hair change in many cultures and by times.

ex in asia where almost everyone have black hair they dont look as much on your hair when they try to reconize you from another as we do in europa because in europa people have many diffrent hair colours and eye colours.