Hair, especially scalp hair, is imbued with greater social and psychological significance
than with biological importance. Hair provides some cranial cushioning and shielding
from the sun’s rays; however, throughout history and across cultures, hair conveys
considerable symbolism.
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It can serve as a social signal of gender, age, status, values, and group membership.
From monks to skinheads, prisoners of war to warriors, “bigwig” European aristocrats
to moptop Beatles, and hippies to head-shaven celebrity athletes, hair makes a statement,
whether chosen or imposed.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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© 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
