Hair is the thin strands that grow from the skin of humans and many animals, especially on the head. It helps protect the skin and can also serve for warmth and appearance.
From Old English “hær,” meaning “hair,” from Proto-Germanic *hērą. It is related to similar words in many Germanic languages.
A single hair is incredibly strong for its size, able to hold more weight than you’d expect from something so thin. Yet language uses hair to measure the tiniest differences—a “hair’s breadth” is almost nothing at all.
Hair has long been policed differently across genders, with women’s hair linked to ideals of modesty, beauty, and respectability, and men’s hair linked to norms of professionalism or masculinity. Many cultures have enforced gendered hair codes in schools, workplaces, and law, often targeting women and gender‑nonconforming people.
Avoid assuming hair length, style, or removal practices based on gender; describe hair neutrally and respect cultural and religious significance. Do not treat body hair norms (e.g., shaving) as universal for women or men.
Women and gender‑diverse people have driven movements challenging restrictive hair norms—from natural hair advocacy to resistance against mandatory veiling or cutting—reframing hair as a site of autonomy and cultural pride.
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