or: the weather, men and capitalism

Beauty is social control. Hair, being one of the most malleable features at a women’s disposal, is symbolic of this effect. Hair is personal. Hair is public. Hair is political. Most of all, hair – or more specifically, the way in which American women choose to style their hair – is a display of meaning. It is one of the more visible and changeable declarations of gender. It assists the public from differentiating between genders and it offers a sliding scale of both femininity and masculinity. This defining scale is often used to allocate respect, gain social status and inevitably, detract worth. Yet, this display of meaning is constantly evolving along with the political movements, social movements and eras in which they occupy.
Hair, similar to the rest of the choices we make in our appearances, does not exist in a social vacuum. The way in which we style our hair denotes social status and meaning. It is a reflection of not only who we are in society, but of what society demands us to be.

Plus, it's really hot outside.