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DO MEN PREFER LONG HAIR?

DO MEN PREFER LONG HAIR?

Siebra Muhammad · Sunday, June 6th 2010 at 5:44PM · 1311 views
(BlackDoctor.org) -- I recently had a very interesting conversation with several guys about whether they preferred women with long or short hair, and though I was not surprised that the overwhelming response was a preference for long hair, it did surprise me that these same men did not want a woman they were in a relationship with to wear extensions to achieve that long hair. The reasons ranged from the preference for their mate to be “natural,” to the idea that extensions attract too much attention from the opposite s*x. This conversation made me want to research the subject of men’s overwhelming love of long hair.

Women spend a great deal of time, money, and attention making their hair as attractive as possible. While, in theory, this energy is often spent in order to make a woman feel more confident, it also serves to make that woman more attractive to men. Fashion and beauty magazines perpetually offer tips and advice on how women can make their hair as appealing as possible to men.

Recently a poll was done by researchers that concluded that men prefer women with long hair. I know, surprise, surprise. When you ask a man what length of hair he prefers on women, 9 times out of 10 he will say long. This question was asked on Yahoo Answers, and a few other sites on the web. And nearly all the men asked, responded yes, they prefer long hair on women. In another poll, done by the Daily Mail Reporter, researchers did a survey of 3,000 men, and 43% of the men polled preferred long hair. 80 percent of the men said they definitely notice if a woman changes her hair, while 18 percent said they rarely notice when a woman changes her hair.

General Poll Results:

Long and Wavy: 43%
Long and straight: 13%
Mid-length straight: 9%
Mid-length wavy/curled: 3%

Why do men prefer long hair on women?

All the men who answered yes to the question, said they prefer a woman to have long hair because it s*xy. There’s just something about long flowing curly or wavy hair that they consider incredibly attractive. They indicated that they like shiny, touchable hair without a lot of styling products, and said they liked to run their fingers through it. In general, they equated long hair with being very feminine.

A woman's hair is considered her "crowning glory" according to the bible. This is not to suggest that you shouldn't wear your hair short, but meaning that this is a woman's most alluring feature. Just as important as a pretty face, nice hair complements you as well.

Tamás Bereczkei, PhD, professor of psychology performed a study in which images of female faces were given varying lengths of hair and then evaluated by men on their attractiveness. “Longer hair had a significant positive effect on the ratings of a woman’s attractiveness; shorter styles did not,” says Bereczkei, who notes that long hair increases the perception of good genes. “Hair is thought to be a track record of your health.” One accurate indicator of health is physical attractiveness; another is hair. Healthy women have lustrous, shiny hair, whereas the hair of sickly people loses its luster. Because hair grows slowly, shoulder-length hair reveals several years of a woman's health status.

Whether it is long or short, you should wear it in a stylish and flattering manner. Some women have features that go along with short pixie styles, like Halle Berry and other women look better with it long. It's really a matter of what looks good on the individual. Always go with what looks good on you, not what any body else says you should do. Ultimately looking your very best should be what's important anyway!

In one study published in the research journal Human Nature, researchers found that women who had originally been rated by a test group as being less attractive were rated far more highly when shown with a longer hairstyle. The experimenters concluded that
longer hairstyles increase women's attractiveness in part because longer hair helps to disguise less desirable features. Long hair tends to make the jaw line slimmer and less prominent and draws attention away from undefined cheekbones. Also, as described by many men, long hair also contributes to a more feminine and youthful appearance.

In most of these polls and research groups, most men admitted sometime else rather surprising. They confessed that a woman’s hair length and style did depens on the individual woman's face shape and features. Not everything looks the good on everybody. Some women don't look good with long hair, and most don't look good with short hair.

So, whatever length you choose, keeping your hair healthy and well cared for will ensure that men find your hair attractive. While men may report preferring long hair, it takes more than long locks to make a great relationship. If it looks good on you, long hair may help you get a man but it may not necessarily guarantee that you will keep that man.

About the Author

Siebra Muhammad New Orleans, LA

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Comments (16)

Siebra Muhammad Sunday, June 6th 2010 at 5:50PM

I chuckled while reading this, since I happen to be a sister with long hair and the only girl in my family and my mom is always asking me when I'm going to get my hair cut. Funny thing is she's been wearing the same hairstyle for at least 24 years of my life...but brothers, don't freak out...I'm not cutting my hair anytime soon (LOL).

Cynthia Merrill Artis Sunday, June 6th 2010 at 6:04PM

ok... Im one of the sistas who likes to make the sudden hair changes... men like long hair... personally when I had long hair.. I could not do anything wit it... I find shorter hair easier to maintain

MIISRAEL Bride Sunday, June 6th 2010 at 6:13PM

I think most men like long hair, but they like a neat hair style overall. One that's becoming and attractive to the face. Some men think very little of hair styles and look at other features....I guess? [Smiles]

MIISRAEL Bride Sunday, June 6th 2010 at 6:46PM

Hey Busy Buzz...were you ever a blonde?

Cynthia Merrill Artis Sunday, June 6th 2010 at 7:13PM

yes I had bleach blond streaks..honey blond...i had a fire red color one time it was so bright and bold.. it scared me.. and i would wear it like Patti LaBelle the big ... hair.... now.. im thinking platinum blond now!!

Cynthia Merrill Artis Sunday, June 6th 2010 at 8:56PM

thanks... It would drive my mother crazy... She always would say what have you done to your hair... ??? Ive really calmed down with the wild hair styles...

Irma ok.... I will follow your advise .... no more extreme...

Idell Crockett Monday, June 7th 2010 at 8:03AM

HEY LADIES WHEN I WAS YOUNG I HAD LONG HAIR. WHEN I GOT OLDER I GOT TIRED OF IT. SO I WORE MY HAIR IN SHORT HAIR CUTS ALL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. SINCE I'VE BEEN AN ADULT, IT LOOKS LIKE ALL THE MEN YOUNG AND OLD WERE ASKING, "YOU HAVE NICE HAIR, YOU SHOULD LET IT GROW OUT AND WEAR IT LONG". SO GIRLFRIENDS THATS WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING!!!! LOL
Idell Crockett | delete

Siebra Muhammad Monday, June 7th 2010 at 4:51PM

WOW...It's amazing how this discussion has turned into Chris Rock's GOOD HAIR PART 2 (LOL). Yes, Felicia, they are some black men and women out there who still argue that natural hair is less than beautiful. Short or long, relaxed or natural, real or fake, I believe women are beautiful no matter what length we wear our hair. For it's how how you wear your hair, it's what's in your brain that should really matter.

Cynthia Merrill Artis Monday, June 7th 2010 at 7:54PM

OK... Felicia stirrin up that grit pot... To be honest... had my mother known about hair when I was growing up.. how to maintain the natural look... she said she would have just kept my hair in braids ... I think I would have appreciated my hair more... My son has long hair (I never cut it) I just wash it and twist it (no dreads)....

And yes, men (alot) still are caught up in the long ... straight... textured/relaxed hair.... My hair will grow relatively fast and it's a pretty nice testure... Iwill relax it about every 8 weeks... but Im one who likes to make drastic hair changes... I like color... shoulder length to short.... don't like weaves... but I will make changes and so far like Miisrael said... men do like to see hair that is maintenaced well and stylish...

Cynthia Merrill Artis Monday, June 7th 2010 at 8:00PM

Idell... see I really never appreciated long hair... growing up I had long hair... but as I got older I started wearing it cropped.... now Im getting older.... Im wearing shorter.... and I like it.... I enjoy the thought of getting up and just rubbing my fingers through my hair and BAMB! out the door.... I don't use a lot of heat so for me shorter is easy to maintain..... BUT one thing I will say about longer hair.... french rolls and up sweeps with pieces of hair hanging... is very sophisticated and glamorous!! So WORK YO LONG HAIR GIR!!! LOL

jamal Abraham Tuesday, June 8th 2010 at 6:41AM

Sis. Siebra...As Salaam Alaikum....it is a shame that African American women enrich Asian stores in this country for wigs and hair pieces. Asian women must be laughing all the way to and back from the BANK.

Cynthia Merrill Artis Tuesday, June 8th 2010 at 8:44AM

Jamal.... ha... I bet you are one of those men whom likes to see a sista with long stringy straight hair....

Shannon Carter Friday, January 14th 2011 at 1:20PM

I had very long natural hair as a pre teen that I was unable to manage. I begged for a perm and was allowed to have one. My hair broke off alot but I still managed to keep it long. After meeting my husband he fell in love with my long permed hair, needless to say, when I chopped it all off he was very upset. After explaining to him that my hair would grow possibly twice as long as it was, being that I am natural now (no chemicals what so ever) he's more accepting of that. He has slowly come around to liking the "new" me and the fact that I feel more empowered by this choice.

ROBINSON IRMA Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM

Cynthia, all I can say is , "Oh my G___" you with both blond and Labelle!...but, my sister I can picture you looking out standing as a blond...not light blond but dark blond...

You my sista friend are bold and beautiful enought to do this color justice. but, please, please not with Patti LaBelle at the same looking, "K" " ? lol (smile)

ROBINSON IRMA Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM

Cynthia, you are so correct on the difficulty of doing anythng with long hair of finding some just everyday hair styles taht are simple...at its longest my hair is shoulder length and as I am blessed with kinky extra thick hair I have no problem with m y press and curls lasting a long, long time...

but, now at my age and not liking how my hair grays is such an uneven, whacky, weird way manner, my nightmare is dye lasts about a hot minute...some day some one will invent a long lasting hair dye. ..

I would kill to have my hair gray the way my father-in- law's hair has.lol (smile)

ROBINSON IRMA Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM

Siebra, I also got a kick out ot this post for two reasons.

1. when I was a teen everyone was wearing the short hair cut style...feeling left out with long hair I asked my mom if I could get my hair cut...as usual she just said , "its your hair"...with that no help, I went and got my hair cut and afterwards remained in the barber shop for hours afraid to come out and face all of the questions related to if I had gone crazy or not. lol

2. I never look forward to seeing the look of disappointment on my husband's face when I come home after I felt like it is time for me to go short. lol

this was a fun post. (smile)

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