Posted by Anthony (other posts) on February 07, 2014 at 09:19:05 Previous Next
In Reply to: Re: Hair History questions. posted by Gene W on February 07, 2014 at 07:48:02:
I have also speculated on my blog about "American" conservatism from the point of view the European I am (British origin, but living in France and other European countries since 1982). I have to be careful not to seem insulting, and I have had to explain things very carefully on my blog.
Going back to World War II, many US servicemen sacrificed their lives in a war that wasn't theirs, and we owe our freedom to those brave men. That being said, Europe suffered much more acutely from political ideologies that enslaved and reduced men and women to mindless conformity. I speak of Nazism and Fascism, and of some similar minority opinions resurfacing now and again. Europe risks a lot in the general reaction away from Socialism and unfettered capitalism.
World War II exorcised some demons that underpinned European culture for a very long time. Some of the same mindsets remain in respectable society in America. I have been to the US four times, and I am quite surprised how conservative mentalities can be compared with England and the European Continent where people are much more liberal or "uncaring".
Of course, generalisations and blanket statements can be both insulting and dangerous, so please forgive me for floundering on uncertain terrain!
That being said, there seems to be a new urban conservatism entering English society, from what I read. Same in France and many other countries. I have opted for living in the country, where things go that much slower, and therefore are quite comprehensible and can be followed.
I look at men's heads much more in town (Paris and Rouen) since I decided to stop cutting my hair. There is a great diversity of urban hairstyles, but they are nearly all with a "fade to nothing" at the back and sides. There are a few longhairs, but they have to tie it back carefully to keep in with the shorthairs, making it look smooth and "clean". Out here in the country, my future long hair will be noticed, but I think people just won't care and will keep quiet.
We need to keep an eye on young fashions and also at political trends. If Europe goes right-wing over the next year or so, it could just be a swing of the pendulum, or something much more sinister.
Sorry to discuss politics, but I think ideologies do bear on the question of individual freedom, hair and dress. We just have to stay tuned and keep our heads down - but the hair growin' and flowin'.
Anthony
* * *
: I've thought about this a good bit over the years and done some reading myself. Christian has about the best explanation. It was probably a side effect of industrialization, standardization and more organized militarization.
: One dark societal secret is a early 19th century adaptation my American schools of a German-Prussian educational philosophy which was designed to create a more submissive and mass consumption oriented society. Sadly, it was a considerable success. I suspect short hair on males went along with that to some extent.