The definition of “beauty” shifts from culture to culture, but beauty seems to be a concept every people group embraces. It’s interesting to note the focus most cultures place on hair as well. Not only does hair grow on nearly every part of the body (excluding the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, lips, and eyelids), it serves several functions such as helping retain heat, providing sensation of touch, and protection (especially for the eyes).
Throughout the centuries, hairstyles have served as a distinction of social class, ethnic and religious ideals, and political statements. For example, grey hair or baldness indicates elderly age; healthy, natural hair portrays youth.
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Social Class: young
Social Class: elderly |
African
Americans at one time embraced the afro style as a demonstration of racial
pride.
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| Ethnic: afro |
Muslims,
some Jews, and certain Christian sects command covering of the hair.
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| Religious: Jewish |
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| Religious: Muslim |
Monks
distinguished themselves by their tonsure.
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| Religious: monks |
During
the roaring 20s, flappers wore their hair bobbed.
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| Political: roaring 20s |
Prisoners
in concentration camps of WWII had their heads shaved as punishment. In the
70s, hippies wore their hair long.
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| Political: hippies 70s |
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| Political: hippies 70s
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Presently,
military members buzz their hair or pull it back.
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| Political: military |
All of this to say, hair is used to make statements of who
we are, what we believe, and how we see ourselves. Take for example, a child
who is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. She sees her appearance change as
her body reflects the cellular damage it’s experiencing. She’s nauseated often,
fatigued, and starts losing her hair. As she compares her bald head with her
healthy friends from school, she feels different and envious.
Now, focus on your hair for a second. According to averages,
your hair grows half an inch a month for a total of six inches a year. Some falls
out as you wash and brush it, but it stills largely remains. It can be curled, combed,
straightened, teased, pinned, gelled, brushed, braided, twisted, picked,
sprayed, dyed, permed, trimmed, and twirled. Yet unless a genetic
predisposition or chemical interference exists, it will remain largely attached
to your head.
For the past four and a half years, my hair has grown from short to long.
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2nd donation: December 2007
Wigs for Kids (10") |
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(before pic) Father's Day: June 17, 2012
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During
those past years, I have enjoyed styling and having all that hair. But it was
time to make a sacrifice again. The first time I donated hair the salon sent
the 11 inches to Locks of Love. The next time a different salon sent the 10
inches to Wigs for Kids. This time the 12 inches will again go to Wigs for
Kids.
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(after pic) 3rd donation: July 11, 2012
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Both of these organizations create wigs from donated hair
for young cancer patients to wear while going through treatment. It is so rewarding that something I valued, when given away, can help bring a little
girl happiness.
*If interested in either of these programs, check out their
websites here and here.
