Shaving Woman's Head - A Right Of Self Expression?
By J. Rankin
We can safely state that women today are shaving.
The classical image that comes to mind when thinking of women shaving is their legs and under their arms. With little effort we can also think of women shaving other areas.
However the one area which demands more imagination is that of the head. Women shaving their heads.
It is perfectly easy to think of a man shaving his head, in fact we see it quite often nowadays.
It is not so common to find a woman who has shaved her head, and many times the result is to question the idea.
However it is happening. We can probably even think of someone who does.
One of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard singing is that of Sinead O'Connor, the Irish singer. She shaves her head.
Once I saw her, my attitude to women who shave their heads changed completely.
It is not easy to adjust, from the point of view of a traditionally orientated western male, and appreciate a woman with no hair on her head. Perhaps it is due to a cultural paradigm - although it is gradually being broken down.
I believe there are various factors in play when a western woman shaves her head:
- A degree of bravery
- A great amount of self confidence
- A statement against standing prejudice
- A strength of character
- A contempt for imposed cultural limitations
It is not for all women to shave their heads as a statement of self, but for those who do - they definitely know what they want.
I have seen photographs and documentaries of tribes, specially African tribes, where women have shaved their heads, partially or completely.
I find it interesting that when I originally saw them, there was no judgment involved. In fact I could easily identify the beauty and handsomeness of these women.
I find it even more interesting that this first impression reflected a duality - it is a tribal custom, therefore perfectly fine; for western women it is not a traditional cultural custom, therefore I used to reject it.
I see it now, and trust this view is gradually gaining acceptance, as a reflection of a society that is maturing. The traditionally imposed view of a woman's place, implying many strictures on what they can wear, or do, is changing.
And this is positive - a good thing. The right of self expression - and our attire and grooming habits are a way in which we express ourselves -is an inalienable right for everyone. Male or female.
Each culture has its own customs. The western culture is slowly finding a wide range of expressions although there are obviously limitations and restrictions.
However in every age and in every society, we have been fortunate in those people who in defense of their own beliefs, have broken imposed taboos.
Many times with devastating results.
But these people are the ones who risk everything by standing by their own criteria. They are the unsung heroes and heroines; they have been the originators of change that have allowed progress. Not the progress of technology necessarily, but of the human spirit, as they break foolish limitations.
In the early twentieth century there were groups of women in different countries who were ridiculed, abused and attacked for defending their right to vote.
Today nobody, at least in the more enlightened societies, would even think of questioning their right to vote.
It is a right of self expression.
For a woman to shave her head, it is a practice of self expression.
For many men, as well as many women, once the initial, nearly automatic and preprogrammed response is overcome, an appreciation of beauty can appear.
This appreciation, in its purer form, goes beyond the physical, although it does include it, as it sees and wonders at the spiritual beauty of the person.
There is also a message in this type of self expression - that beauty is beyond the physical.
Well done, I say!
The philosophical and the practical do have a meeting ground.
The statement a woman who shaves her head is made possible by the practical and effective choice of how.