My cousin is getting married in a week and the wedding dominates all conversation. Today, we spoke about her wedding hairstyle, her veil and so forth. This conversation made me think about the customs surrounding married women and their hair.
In mainly religions and cultures married women are expected to cover their hair as a sign of modesty and to avoid attracting men other than their husbands. For example, Orthodox Jewish women make use of scarves or wigs, known as shatyls, to cover their hair in public, only letting their husbands see their natural hair. Muslim women also make use of scarves or veils to cover their hair in public as a sign of respect to their husbands. (DeMello, 2007:142)
This practice has been a hot topic for feminist groups for many years as it subjects married women to being controlled by a custom created and designed for men. Covering a women’s hair takes away a large portion of her individuality as a female and rids of any sexual attractiveness. “For a lot of women, their locks are their defining feature, a symbol of femininity, sexual power, even fertility.” (Carr, 2007:153)
I, personally, don’t know how these women get brainwashed into believing some of these customs set up by men. We’re in the 21st century now. Its time for you women to start burning your bras (well shatyls in this case)
- BBC News, (2006). Muslim Woman [online image]. Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6077832.stm. Last accessed: 10 October 2010
- Carr, K (2007). Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips. United States: Morris Publishing Group. 153.
- DeMello, M (2007). Encyclopedia of body adornment. United States: Greenwood Publishing Group. 142.
- LIFE, (2010). Jewish Woman [online image]. Available at: http://www.life.com/image/50837464. Last accessed: 10 October 2010
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