health
February 4, 2026
A moment that changed me: I shaved off my hair
Strangers used to open doors, help lift my pram and greet me with approval when I looked ‘like a mum’. After one simple haircut, I was treated very differently
TL;DR
- The author, a new mother, felt overwhelmed and decided to shave her head to reclaim time and alter her perception.
- She hoped the change would reduce the idealized attention surrounding motherhood and make her seem less approachable.
- After shaving her head, she experienced being ignored by strangers, unlike the assistance she received before.
- The haircut made her realize the significant impact of conforming to or deviating from gender norms, particularly regarding hair, on societal treatment.
- She discovered that perceived femininity often led to help and approval, while a less conventionally feminine appearance resulted in being overlooked or negatively labeled.
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