Dyeing to Be Different
Photo of Rihanna by Arturo Rodriguez of AP.
The media is buzzing about singer Rihanna’s decision to dye her hair fire engine red.
In this article in the New York Daily News National Association of Social Workers member LeslieBeth Wish said Rihanna may be trying to send a message.
“If you dye your hair a certain color, it lets people know that you are trying to attract a maverick, a risktaker, a nonconformist,” Wish said.
Q: Experts said women can change hair color after a life-changing event such as a divorce or to exert control in a troubled life. Social workers, do you agree or are experts taking hair color choices too seriously.
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As a woman when you are going through something the first thing you usually change is your hair color to show a sign of a new beginning.
This question involves a multitude of issues and cannot be answered easily. As far as celebs go, I expect that it is a part of the constant reinvention of self as a career move. Women in general many times do want or need an expression of contrl over their lives during or after life-altering events. If hair color is the choice, I think it is an expression of empowerment. It can be temporary. My concern is women making serious knee-jerk decisions too soon which truly impact their lives in lasting ways, as well as the lives of others.
Sometimes its not about having had a change happen but needing a change to happen. Often times I change my hair color not because something is happened but because I need to change things for myself. It starts with my hair color and then other things tend to change after the fact as well. Or sometimes its to stop myself from making an impromptu decision. Many times I’ve wanted to pack up and move, or do something else hasty but instead I change my appearance and the “urge” to do whatever my initial plan was goes away.
I have a picture in my head of two old ladies knitting on the veranda, and one saying to the other ‘oo..look at her, changed her colour she has, I wonder what’s gone on there!?!’ only its not old ladies gossiping its researchers! come on guys its no secret women like to change their hair as part of reinventing themselves or a make over, often we all like to take stock and make changes, regardless of the triggers, you are taking it far too seriously!
I think its individual. To some women a change in hair color may be significant enough to give them that sense of control but for others it may take something more substantial.
Although I color my hair to cover the premature graying, I do have to admit I color at a time when I feel I need a change. I use a natural color and nobody seems to realize my real color is almost 100% gray. As someone in my mid-30s, I’m not ready to be that gray. When I was yet a teen I did the more extravegant kind of colors out of rebellion from the norm or to simply make a statement.
I think that it certainly is something women may do after a life changing event, but it may be something women do because of the mood they were in that day. I think it is great that women take care of themselves. I really do not see it as a form of attention grabbing, although men may define it that way. It is a similar discussion when black women dye their hair blonde and everyone says it is because they want to look white. I think all women want is to excercise their right to choice and we do have so much choice these days.