“Bestow upon me a head adorned with tresses, Locks lengthy, lovely, radiant, golden and flowing,”
- Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, Hair
I have a deep admiration for women of my generation. Whether we are dubbed mature, seasoned, elder, or wise, I hold a profound appreciation for us. Our perspectives are as vast as the experiences we have accumulated. We scrutinize life’s panorama, recognize its intricacies, and discern the matters and individuals of true significance. We have developed an intolerance for nonsense and are not inclined to suffer fools gladly.
But let it be known that we refuse to fade silently into the abyss. Our lives have been shaped by a plethora of experiences, allowing us to recognize when to voice our thoughts and when silence reigns supreme. The notion of “ask Alice” has surrendered to the dominance of “go ask Google,” and the relentless march of AI is knocking at our doorsteps, threatening to extinguish original thought. I dare say, Orwell’s year of reckoning, 1984, seems to have come upon us.
We are well aware that throughout history, corrupt politicians have been a constant, needless conflicts have raged on, and socioeconomic inequalities have endured. We acknowledge Mother Nature’s subtle balance that holds those who exploit her wonders accountable. It is an undeniable truth that those who possess the least are often the most giving, and astute youngsters sometimes exhibit more wisdom than 75% of their grown-up counterparts.
However, certain boundaries should not be crossed if society intends to suppress our voices…and this week’s AARP Web Letter has ventured into this territory: questioning whether women of a certain age should dare to flaunt long hair.
Unleashing the Allure of Long Hair with Grace and Panache Beyond 50:
Interestingly, this topic emerged amidst discussions about potential cost of living adjustments for seniors, the ongoing COVID variants, and the art of cleaning device screens.
Guiding the Way for Hair Care:
The piece on hair care and its appropriate length at different stages of life could be summarized as a subtle endorsement of hair care products masquerading as an editorial. The usual suspects adorned the pages – celebrities beyond the age of 50, their luxurious, cascading hair flowing down their shoulders and backs.
Of course, it was no secret that wigs, extensions, weaves, makeup maestros, and cosmetic surgery are their allies in maintaining such appearances.
The true amusement, however, came alive in the comments section, where women beyond 50 lent their voices to the discourse. Allow me to share a selection of their responses:
“I have crossed the threshold into my 60s, and the length of my hair is a matter that concerns no one but me. To imply that wearing long hair past a certain age is erroneous or lacks beauty is downright absurd. I, for one, do not aspire to mirror celebrities nor yearn for their lifestyle. Why would I seek to emulate their appearances?”
In tandem with this:
“Perusing this article felt like a squandering of my precious time. I stand at the cusp of 70; my hair is adorned with its natural hue (gray), smooth as silk, and reaches my waist. None of it dangles carelessly into my face. I tend to my hair with solid shampoo bars and conditioner bars (for environmental reasons, plastic is passé). Once or twice a year, I trim the ends. Each morning, as my hair air-dries, I elegantly secure it in a bun or braid. This is my routine, ladies and gentlemen! I am showered with compliments from women of all ages.”
Further voices chime in:
“The allure and flair of long hair should never be curbed by age. It’s time to relinquish these stereotypes.”
Interestingly, a poignant narrative emerged from a woman grappling with alopecia:
“My plight extends beyond the confines of my head; I’ve lost every strand of body hair, an aspect that does matter to me since I’ve abstained from shaving since 1972. I find myself reminiscing about my once hirsute legs and underarms.”
Noteworthy, too, were the sentiments of men who felt excluded from the conversation. They questioned whether long hair, often associated with femininity, still bore an allure for them.
In a world that should relish the unfettered expression of style, I firmly advocate that hair’s length be cherished, regardless of age. After all, isn’t it a symbol of personal identity that transcends time?