Hair is an expression of many things – culture, fashion, identity, and gender. For example, women in modern times often have long hair, while men traditionally have short hair.
Women have long hair for many different reasons. In this article, we discuss 11 reasons why women have long hair.
Why Do Women Have Long Hair?
1. Fashion And Style
Women keep their hair long because it’s in style. Trends come and go, and so do hairstyles. For example, in the 1960s, it was fashionable for young women to keep their hair up in a beehive.
However, in the 1970s, long straight hair was the fashion, and as the decade progressed into the ‘80s, feathered hair was all the rage.
Also, long hair is more versatile and can go up into different braids, wraps, or twists. If a woman is getting married, she might have long hair to get the perfect style she wants.
Special occasions call for unique up-dos, and so women grow their hair out to be able to style it in a particular fashion for an event.
Fashion trends and style preferences play a role in women’s long hair. Some women keep their hair long, cut it and style it according to the latest trends.
2. Culture
Another reason women have long hair is cultural reasons. Some cultures do not permit women to cut their or to cut it only on special occasions.
Long hair in many indigenous tribes is indicative of their cultural identity. Different tribes use different styles of braids.
Different cultures also color hair differently, use beads and decorations, and grow hair to different lengths.
Culture also defines gender appearances. For example, hair is an expression of gender, and short hair indicates male gender while long hair is female gendered.
Hair is an extension of self and an accessory. Therefore, many cultures respect a woman’s hair and how she chooses to keep it.
3. Religion
Along with culture, religion plays a role in women’s long hair. For example, Amish women do not cut their hair according to their religious beliefs.
A few denominations of Christianity observe keeping long hair and believe that the Bible instructs them to do so.
Several religions believe in covering the head, and a long sheath of hair acts as a head covering for women.
Some religions dictate that women must have long hair and men must have short hair to conform to gender norms.
4. Hides Insecurities
Some women have their hair long because it hides their insecurities. Long hair can distract from facial features or her body.
Having long hair can make a woman feel better about herself. This is because she controls her hair and can do what she wants.
Long hair can cover parts of her neck or the sides of her face. A woman can use her long hair to hide things she’s insecure about.
Many women have long hair because they are insecure and use it to hide something. Long hair makes some women feel more secure.
5. Spiritual
Women often have long hair because of spiritual reasons not related to religion. Spirituality leads women to keep their hair long.
For example, some women believe that hair is an extension of the spirit and connects them to the spiritual realm.
Many indigenous tribes see hair as a part of our spirit; therefore, women will keep long hair as part of their spiritual practices.
6. For Donation
Some women have long hair because they are growing it out for donation. Therefore, women planning to donate must plan well before cutting their long hair.
Hair intended for donation has to meet specific criteria. For example, hair length should be between 8 and 12 inches.
Ensure hair isn’t bleached or colored, although some places accept color-treated hair. Gray hair is also taken with some organizations.
Here are a few places to donate long hair for wigs:
- Hair We Share
- Locks Of Love
- Wigs For Kids
7. Biology
Women have long hair because of biology and hormones. Estrogen plays a significant role in hair growth and texture.
Healthy women grow hair faster than men because of hormones. So rather than cutting their fast-growing hair all the time, some women choose to keep it long.
Long hair in women was seen as evidence of health and vitality. In addition, healthy women grew longer hair faster, which meant they were more fertile.
Men have hair loss and pattern baldness because of testosterone, and so do some women, but female hormones make hair grow.
8. Less Maintenance
Some women have long hair because it requires less maintenance. They don’t have to style it and can pull it up into a ponytail or bun.
Many women like to wash and go without blow-drying, and long hair is perfect for this. Beach waves in long hair can be achieved with little maintenance.
Long hair can be burdensome to some women, but for many, it’s liberating and requires less styling.
So many women like their long hair because they can wash it and pull it up into a bun, no drying or styling needed.
9. Less Products Required
Women with long hair often use fewer hair products. For example, short hair needs mousse, gel, and various kinds of hair spray, while long hair needs nothing.
Long hair does require a little more shampoo and conditioner, but that’s a small sacrifice to make not to have to use a ton of products on your hair.
Long-haired women sometimes use strengthening or smoothing products on their hair to keep it sleek and smooth.
Overall, long hair needs fewer products than short hair. For this reason, many women have long hair.
10. Feminine Sexuality
Long hair is seen as feminine, and many women have long hair to express their feminine sexuality. Hair is part of her identity, and she wants to show it.
Femininity can be expressed in many ways – clothing, makeup, jewelry – but long hair is the ultimate outward expression of feminine sexuality.
Women have long hair to feel more sexy and desirable. In addition, flowing hair might make a woman feel more secure in her appearance.
Long hair is often seen as a symbol of beauty. Women have long hair because they want to look more feminine.
11. Male Preference
Some women have long hair because of the man in their life. Their man loves long hair, and so they keep their hair long for him.
Sometimes a woman is paid a compliment for her hair, making her want to keep that hairstyle, or she might wish to get male attention.
There have been many studies that show more men prefer long hair to short hair than their women. This is likely because it makes a woman look more feminine and represents fertility.
This is the case with many women with long hair. They have someone special in their life that compliments their long hair, so they keep it long.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on why people color their hair, why black women wear weaves, and why people look younger now.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why women have long hair. For some, it’s tradition and culture, and others love how it looks.
Whatever the reason, women should be respected for the choices they make regarding their hair. These 11 reasons give some explanation for why women have long hair.