Why Are Moms Always Concerned about Their Kids' Hair?

The hair is a person's crowning glory. It is one of the very first things that a person sees when they look at someone. Aside from the essential function of protection and temperature regulation, the hair also has its aesthetic value. 

Still, some mothers who are especially concerned about their children's hair, that fixing the hair even becomes a struggle between mother and child. Some moms would want to rule over the look of their children's hair, but why? Here are some of their answers:

Hair is a parent's effort

Lizzie Skurnick, a writer of the New York Times, shares her experience growing up. Her mother always looked after her hair, combing her hair, braiding it, or curling it. Her mom did this herself until such time Skurnick was finally brought to a salon. 

Skurnick thinks that her mom's concern about her hair was always superb, but now that her little boy chose to have his hair long, she realizes how the hair is also a source of judgment on parenting. People would ask her why her son's hair is long as if the hair is an indication of her efforts as a parent. That is like telling everyone that because the hair is tangible, the intangible, like a child's behavior, only comes next in terms of determining parents' efforts.

Moms are afraid their kids are making a bad hairstyle choice

In some parenting forums, mothers ask about what to do with their children who want specific hairstyles. Usually, mothers do not allow their children to change hairstyles, thus causing disagreement between them. Hesitation on a new hairstyle is often because moms are afraid of their children making a bad choice. Also, it is the fear of judgment from others that makes it difficult for some moms to allow their kids to try a new hairstyle.

Moms feel responsible for their kids' hair

For parents, deciding for their children is their primary job while. Parents' decisions prevail even in a child's hairstyle. Regardless of the child's age, the mom would always tend to comment about the child's hair.

In an essay written by Deborah Tannen, she shares her countless experiences with her mom expressing concern about her hair. While writing, she also met women who have the same experiences, even an Arab woman whose hair is not seen because of her hijab. The mom's comment would be about how hair is seen peeking from her hijab.

Hair is always a mother's concern because they feel they are highly responsible for it. Sometimes they feel the way their child looks like is a reflection of who they are as well.

Moms had the same treatment from their moms

In Tannen's essay, she also shared a story from one of her cousins, Elaine, who also had few experiences on the mother and daughter's hair scuffle. It was about Elaine's mom hating her hair because of a comment from Elaine's grandmother. What Elaine's mother would like to happen is for Elaine to avoid experiencing her fate of losing self-confidence.

However, even though being concerned is not a bad thing,  other moms would say that it should be noted that aside from the hair becoming someone's crowning glory, it is a huge part of someone's identity.