Hair: The Long & Short of Things
Hair length has many significances and is dependent on multiple factors. What constitutes "long hair" can change from culture to culture and even within cultures. For instance, a woman with chin length hair in certain cultures may be said to have short hair while a man with the same length hair in the some of the same cultures may be said to have long hair.
From a scientific standpoint, many scientists believe that having long, thick and healthy hair plays a large part in any animal species’ natural selection because healthy hair is a sign of fertility and youth. Hair length has been significantly correlated with female attractiveness.
Social norms have changed over the course of human history, but in general it can be said that long hair, specifically amongst men, signifies a separation from structures and what is considered "normal" in a given society (though there are exceptions).
Long hair has often been considered a symbol of wealth, power and attractiveness. In ancient Greece, long hair was considered a sign of affluence while slaves were forced to shave their head. Native American men said to be handsome were described as having "long hair almost to the ground".
Women have often had a stronger inclination towards long hair than men do, and perhaps this is why men with long hair have sometimes been considered "anti-establishment".
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