Hair Wigs

¶ … hair affects social and cultural identity. The writer uses examples of fad and long standing hairstyles to portray the way those styles identify certain cultures or societies. There were two sources used to complete this paper. Throughout history people have used various identifying markers to denote societal or cultural preferences. The role of hair as a marker to societal or cultural preferences has handled the test of time and continues to make its mark in society. Hair has been used as a societal and cultural marker for many years.

In recent history the use of hair as a marker to culture and societal standing is especially prevalent among the African-American communities (Good, 1998). The style of a black woman's hair mirrors her soul. Her hair reflects her values, level of income, degree of education, political beliefs, mood, attitude and age range. It even reveals her genetic heritage more than any other ethnic group.

Other ethnic groups shave, cut and dye their hair, but the more extreme the hairstyle is from the dominant style, usually means the woman is denouncing her main-stream values and definition of beauty. This is unlike black women. The more elaborate, unique, distinctive and innovative her hairstyle is, the more likely she has accepted her own beauty and sisterhood of African decent (Good, 1998)." African-Americans are not the only ones who use their hair as a marker to their societal and cultural standing and feelings of self-worth however.

Many ethnic groups share similar habits when it comes to the decisions they make about their tresses. Throughout history hair has marked religious, political and other elements of human life. Historically one only has to read the story of Joan of Arc to see the use of hair for military purpose. Joan of Arc cut her hair short to appear to be male so that she could be eligible for the military service. Politically hair has been used for years to denote cultural norm defiance.

Hippies wore their hair long and stringy to prove they did not have to follow the trim dos that their parents had used. Later punk Mohawks provided the wearer with a way to make a statement about anger at the establishment and who can forget the popular large afros that made the circuit in the 1970's and appear to be returning in some areas of the nation? In addition to political statements hair has served as a religious marker in society.