Why is long hair on men seen as such a negative thing by a lot of people?

Up-n-atom! · 18-01-2011 10:39pm #1

This is something I've noticed a lot in general, but it came up twice today on different programmes on TV, and it really bugs me. First of all, there was a make-over episode of Oprah where a mother nominated her son because he had dreadlocks and didn't look very 'professional'. No one seemed to disagree with her opinion and of course it was all chopped off. Secondly, on Fashion Police on the E! channel the panel was slagging off Christian Bale for his long hair and 'looking like Jesus'. I'd understand it a bit more if he was all greasy and unkempt, but he had lovely shiny locks worthy of a shampoo ad!

I don't have a problem at all with men with long hair, in fact I think it looks rather sexy on many of the opposite sex - so why is it seen as such a bad thing and something that's ok to slag off by so many people?

Galvasean · 18-01-2011 11:39pm

Up-n-atom! wrote: »

the panel was slagging off Christian Bale for his long hair and 'looking like Jesus'.

Jesus has never looked so sexy.

I don't get it at all. I used to have long wavy blonde hair, but got it cut as it was interfering with work (getting caught in headphones). The amount of abuse my female friends / co-workers have given me since for cutting it!

Silverfish · 18-01-2011 11:43pm

I dunno, probably to some people it has feminine connotations, or my aunt who calls men with long hair 'Hippies :mad:" even if they are not hippies.

It's just one of those prejudices that pervade society for no real reason anyone can put their finger on.

I remember in secondary school joining a campaign for a guy who went to the boy's school to be allowed keep his hair long, as the school were demanding he cut it.
It was eventually agreed that the boys could have their hair long, but had to keep it inside their collars (how irritating)

Up-n-atom! · 18-01-2011 11:50pm

That's the thing, this 'hippy' idea - fair enough, maybe, if you have messy ratty hair or something, but why are men seen as some sort of social upstart simply for having long hair, even when it's neat and well kept? Why is short hair associated with being 'professional' etc? Schools don't enforce a 'no short hair for girls' policy, so why should lads, in the age of equality, not be allowed have long hair?

Darlughda · 18-01-2011 11:55pm

Well, if you are entering a career or job in a stuffy corporate environment, where neanderthal jokes are the norm, and boring suits are the uniform-what the hell else do you expect, than ultimate conformity to the most conservative norms of society?

Having said that, there is nothing worse than older men or women with thinning long strangly hair. yik.

Unfortunately the ponytailed aging rock wannabe has become so associated with older men in particular with longer hair.

Howard the Duck · 19-01-2011 12:05am

The kinda girls i go for always seem to like guys with long hair. I'm battling just to keep it,never mind being able to grow it long. I have no pity for the long haired hippes... just jealously.

Somnus · 19-01-2011 2:38am

I have quite long hair myself, maybe just about half way down my back or bit above. People who I see on a regular basis got used to it quick enough. I'm lucky in that my boss in work (local shop) has never given me any hassle over it as I keep it clean and tied back in work.

I notice that I get no hassle for having long hair now (21) compared to when I 3rd or 4th year. People grow up and realise it doesn't matter!!

The only downside is being paranoid that some knacker will start on you for it when you're walking home at night!!

I actually just did an interview for part of my college course and got the job despite 7 other people who would look at lot more clean cut (short hair) going in for it. I think that shows that people don't really mind too much these days.

amacachi · 19-01-2011 3:11am

Hated being called a hippy with my hair down to my waist. Now I just have a beard which some say makes me look like a paedo which is quite a bit worse. Or a socialist which is worse again.

jimmycrackcorm · 19-01-2011 3:17am

It's girly. Nuff said.

Feelgood · 19-01-2011 3:23am

Roll back to the days of Jim Morrison and Plant and Page, if you DIDN'T have long hair in those days you were ghey.

I wouldn't say long hair is seen as a negative at all, it would be a pretty shameful place if we all looked the same. Ask the 50% of the male population that have no hair and I think they will say that long hair is awesome

Thankfully lads that grow their hair long usually don't give a flying fart what people think of it...I don't think its frowned upon.

jill_valentine · 19-01-2011 3:59am

Feelgood wrote: »

Thankfully lads that grow their hair long usually don't give a flying fart what people think of it...

That's kind of the thing though, isn't it? If you're hiring people for an office or whatever, you're not going to hire the guy you think doesn't care about fitting into the team.

tbh · 19-01-2011 8:19am

Up-n-atom! wrote: »

This is something ?

quoted just to say..."Up and at them?" <simpsons ref>

anyway. I used to have long hair and I don't have a problem with. However, I occasionally do interviews for my company, and sometimes you'd get a guy who'd come in obviously trying to show us he doesn't give a fck about convention - scruffy jeans, long messy hair, "funny" t-shirt etc. I would always interview them but would very rarely recommend them. The reason? Anyone who gives me that strong a message that he likes to do things "his way" will almost certainly give me a pain in the ass sometime in the future. Like the guy who insists on wearing ratty trainers to a wedding, or who can't see why he should chip in for a birthday pressie for someone in the office "just because everyone else is" - there are little things you do, even tho you don't want to, because you want to show respect, or make your environment just that little bit more pleasant. When someone goes out of their way to tell you that thats not the person they are - well, cool, I respect that, but I don't want you around me.

I guess for some people, they see long hair on a guy in the same way. I think its overreacting, but I can understand it.

The reason I got my hair cut was because i was looking for work at the time. The recruiter told me "look, the simple fact is, a lot of places are going to reject you just because of your hair. They won't necessarily think you're a dick or whatever, they just won't give you the job. So really the choice is yours".

for me it was "fck it, it's only hair." But one of my mates kept his, and i totally respected that (and yeah, he got a job too, but eventually cut his hair anyway).

amacachi · 19-01-2011 10:49am

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

It's girly. Nuff said.

Heh.

we'llallhavetea_old · 19-01-2011 11:29am

i love long hair on men, any relationships i've had have been with men with longer than average hair.

bureau2009 · 19-01-2011 11:52am

I think a lot of guys have their hair far too short. Think of how much better David Beckham's current look is compared with his shorter styles.

I see guys head into the barbers for a haircut - when their hair ALREADY looks perfectly fine to me and totally NOT in need of a cut.

Problem is too many guys want to "act" macho and too many barbers don't know how to cut hair except by shearing it!!!

Let your hair down guys!!

G86 · 19-01-2011 1:35pm

Depends on the guy, but it can be pretty damn hot imo. Wouldn't be into anything past shoulder length though.

The Waltzing Consumer · 19-01-2011 7:08pm

I think it is a sign of adolescence if a guy has long hair (past the shoulder) and he is mid-twenties and over, so it gets negative attention. To me, it is just like wearing tracksuits as regular clothing for adults, it is a sign of a person who has yet to grow up. There are plenty of longish haircuts, just keep it above the shoulders and there is no problem.

As for the Christian Bale thing, eh, he is an actor, he is paid to look different ways, he is probably growing his hair for a part. Sorry but long hair on guys is too lord of the rings/gamer/spinal tap/fart dad rock cringey! It is not "conforming", it is "maturing". You can't crawl on your hands and knees like a baby, you gotta "conform" and walk. You can't dress like a teen forever, you gotta "conform" and dress like an adult, cause you are an adult.

Somnus · 19-01-2011 7:12pm

jill_valentine wrote: »

That's kind of the thing though, isn't it? If you're hiring people for an office or whatever, you're not going to hire the guy you think doesn't care about fitting into the team.

Ah I wouldn't say that. I mean, sure I wouldn't want to cut my hair for a job, but I would still be clean and well dressed etc for it. I don't see the problem there.

I agree with tbh, it's a different story if I went in dressed like I didn't give a **** or wanted to stick out. But if the only thing is the hair I'd hope it wouldn't be a problem.

The Waltzing Consumer wrote: »

You can't crawl on your hands and knees like a baby, you gotta "conform" and walk. You can't dress like a teen forever, you gotta "conform" and dress like an adult, cause you are an adult.

You see this is the problem. You associate it as if it's a childish thing. What if you talk to the person and can clearly see they aren't childish? Would you still look down on it then,even if they are mature?

In the past long hair would have been plenty normal so it's all just to do with what's fashionable in the times we live in.

The Waltzing Consumer · 19-01-2011 7:51pm

Dr.Poca wrote: »

You see this is the problem. You associate it as if it's a childish thing. What if you talk to the person and can clearly see they aren't childish? Would you still look down on it then,even if they are mature?

In the past long hair would have been plenty normal so it's all just to do with what's fashionable in the times we live in.

Em, no, I did not use the words child or childish in my post. I said "adolescence" which meant the teenage adolescent years. I don't think adult men with long hair are childish. I think, with regards long hair, they have not gotten past the adolescence stage. As I said, it is not just long hair on guys, but many other things that adults do that they would have done as an adolescent but have not grown out of, whilst majority of adult society would have.

Well, good point, that would be another reason people are negative to adult men with long hair, because it was normal in another era, yet they still do it now. Men wore taliban beards too, didn't wash for weeks and spent all their money on drink. Change is good :P

sollar · 19-01-2011 9:32pm

When i was younger i had long hair and i had to stop walking through the estate next to me because people used hurl abuse and roar jesus at me.

I remember the day i cut it all off people were congratulating me as if i had done something special. There really is a strange attitude to long haired men in this country.

liah · 19-01-2011 9:37pm

Personally find it a pretty big turnoff if the hair on top is further than down past the top of the ears. It's just visually unattractive to me.

Otherwise I don't care about it, I don't understand why it's 'unprofessional' either. As long as the hair is clean and away from the face while working what difference does it make?

The hippie stuff is just idiots being idiots really.

Bottle_of_Smoke · 19-01-2011 10:44pm

Ireland's pretty conservative and at the moment a guy having long hair is seen as non-conformist.

One thing I found though when I had long hair was people took me a lot more seriously in arguments/debates. Trying to get a job was a nightmare though. Job agencies said straight out it would go against me.

Silverfish · 19-01-2011 11:02pm

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

Ireland's pretty conservative and at the moment a guy having long hair is seen as non-conformist.

One thing I found though when I had long hair was people took me a lot more seriously in arguments/debates. Trying to get a job was a nightmare though. Job agencies said straight out it would go against me.

I find it utterly bizarre, it wouldn't go against me, why should it go against you?

Bottle_of_Smoke · 19-01-2011 11:09pm

Silverfish wrote: »

I find it utterly bizarre, it wouldn't go against me, why should it go against you?

It isn't seen as non conformist for you

Wolfe Tone · 19-01-2011 11:12pm

Having long hair is associated with people who are "wasters", thats why. When I had long hair people would assume I was a stoner hippy.

Zaffy · 19-01-2011 11:13pm

Unfortunately the only guy I know with long hair is fairly disgusting. It's greasy, and when he leans forward, it droops onto your and/shoulder.

IT almost feels like it creeps up your body, when I see him, my skin shivers and quivers at the idea of contact with the hair.

This is the reason I don't like long hair on guys.

Naturally, anyone who keeps it tamed/CLEAN i'm fine with

If you have disgusting long hair, and get angry when people tell you to cut it, it's because it's disgusting, not because it's long.

Bottle_of_Smoke · 19-01-2011 11:20pm

Zaffy wrote: »

Unfortunately the only guy I know with long hair is fairly disgusting. It's greasy, and when he leans forward, it droops onto your and/shoulder.

IT almost feels like it creeps up your body, when I see him, my skin shivers and quivers at the idea of contact with the hair.

This is the reason I don't like long hair on guys.

Naturally, anyone who keeps it tamed/CLEAN i'm fine with

If you have disgusting long hair, and get angry when people tell you to cut it, it's because it's disgusting, not because it's long.

Or the reason you don't like disgusting greasy hair on a guy?

parker kent · 19-01-2011 11:20pm

The Waltzing Consumer wrote: »

Em, no, I did not use the words child or childish in my post. I said "adolescence" which meant the teenage adolescent years. I don't think adult men with long hair are childish. I think, with regards long hair, they have not gotten past the adolescence stage. As I said, it is not just long hair on guys, but many other things that adults do that they would have done as an adolescent but have not grown out of, whilst majority of adult society would have.

Well, good point, that would be another reason people are negative to adult men with long hair, because it was normal in another era, yet they still do it now. Men wore taliban beards too, didn't wash for weeks and spent all their money on drink. Change is good :P

To be fair, you did compare guys with long hair getting their hair cut as being similar to a baby stopping crawling and starting to walk.

I actually think long-ish hair has actually been pretty popular for guys over the past few years.

upmeath · 19-01-2011 11:22pm

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

Ireland's pretty conservative and at the moment a guy having long hair is seen as non-conformist.

One thing I found though when I had long hair was people took me a lot more seriously in arguments/debates. Trying to get a job was a nightmare though. Job agencies said straight out it would go against me.

True, and I'd a teacher - hailing from one of the most conservative reaches of our little island - kick me out of her classes in school for having messed-up long hair. I was 14 at the time, thought I'd let it grow, simple as. Didn't sit well with her.
The stereotypical image of long-haired male is not confined to Ireland though. It's an image rolled out in countless films down the ages and has come to represent teenage (i.e. perhaps immature) angst, slacker/hippie/non-conformist lifestyles. TBH I think it's naf. I haven't had long hair in 4 or 5 years, it'll be some time before I let it grow again, but I wouldn't have any trouble doing it again some time, when the mood takes me.
As regards job-hunting, if yours is a suited profession (legal, financial and so on), they're probably the most conservative, clean-cut, smartly attired professions out there. If on the other hand you work in the fields of art, graphic design, music, architecture et cetera it really isn't a problem, in fact it's probably seen as a way of unleashing and nurturing creativity and non-conformity, which is what these more liberal professions are all about.
If you take a look, there are subtle yet significant differences between suiting up for the aforementioned conservative professions and those I'm calling liberal here (someone might wish to pick me up on the socio-political distinction but this is the way I see it anyway). In the graphic and architectural industries a shirt and slacks will suffice in the office. In construction services I've never seen anyone wear a tie unless they're receiving an award. In legal and financial a tie, shirt and jacket seems to be a must, plus matching pants (again I'm open to correction). My gf's colleague (corporate law firm) turned up to a social one night a couple of weeks ago in jeans and found his attire widely frowned upon, same goes for interviews and day-to-day office work.

Zaffy · 19-01-2011 11:24pm

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

Or the reason you don't like disgusting greasy hair on a guy?

Yup, and I went on to say that 'anyone who keeps it tame/clean is grand'

Sorry that you felt the need to reply without fully reading the post.

I am a friend · 19-01-2011 11:26pm

I have yet to meet a man on whom long hair has been attractive...

Also, it's always fuzzy!!! Women tend to look after their long hair better but mens (I've seen) just looks like it's washed and that's it. Just fuzzy and unkempt looking. It also looks daft when you see a guy in a suit and the hair up in a ponytail... IMHO

Why is long hair on men seen as such a negative thing by a lot of people?

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