Hello all,
I found this hyperboard awhile ago and stop by quite often, so I thought --- I'll post, sorry no picture right now....
I guess I'm an old timer --- I grew my hair out at the old age of ...... 10 ..... back in 1968 !!
At that time my hair was over my ears, and over the collar, it took 2 more years before I grew it to my shoulders - my dad had to loosen up !! THANKS to my Mom !!
I live in New Jersey - never ran into problems here with long hair, in NJ people are quite open to diversity - people never treated me or long hairs like ###. Now I know that was not the same in all states....
What I have noticed is ----- people today are more relaxed, things are more acceptable today compared to ---- 35/40 years back. Society is more acceptable to things today compared to the past.
When people talk to me today they look at ME not my hair, don't treat me any different.
I work in IT as a systems Engineer/Technician, got my first job in 1974 and Thank God --- have been working since. Got my first computer job in 1980 - from that point on --- when I went on a job interview I would pull my hair in a pony tail, no 5 o'clock shadow, wear a nice suit and that is it.
Now yes there are jobs that WILL NOT hire long hairs as they are the creepy corporate polished type and I would NOT want to work for them anyhow.
So my observations and experiences show me that long hair on guys is MUCH more acceptable today than yesterday.
I'm 51 have my hair past the shoulders, love it, so does my wife, have NO intentions on cutting it off - have not chopped it off since 1968 and will not.
If you guys like your hair keep with it, do your own thing.
Cheers !!
Bob
Welcome and I'm glad to see your post.
It's great to hear a happy story about someone who grew their hair and kept it. No offense to those who cut and are regrowing but when you read hundreds of "I cut my hair and am regrowing" posts it can become a drag after a while.
Thanks Bob for coming on and posting.
Kevin
Hi Bob, man it's great to hear this kind of story!
I agree with you on every turn, this is the kind of thing I, for one, want to see more of.
I'm 47 but wasn't able to grow out my hair until I was about 13.
Good to have you!
Paul
Thanks so much for your wonderful post, Bob!!
Also it's so great to hear about wives that are so supportive, --- as well as I agree w/ you that society in general toady is MUCH more accepting of long hair on men than 35/40 years ago....
I'm just a few years older than you (I'm 55, will be 56 next month); but, had to leave my dad's house at age 18 in order to grow my hair out even a modest amount longer back then. My earliest jobs all had dress code restrictions during my late teens, 20s and into my early 30s. But, eventually I landed a job that finally gave me the freedom to do what I had always dreamed of doing someday: to grow my hair out as long as I'd like!!!
Now that I have it long (it's currently at belt-length), I can't possibly imagine going back to short (including will not accept any job that restricts men's hair length).
It does indeed help to live in a longhair-friendly state, though (California being very similar in attitude to New Jersey).
And, before I forget to say it: WELCOME to MLHH!!!
- Ken in San Francisco
Hi Ken,
Concerning wife's (women in general) ---- A woman MUST take me (us) for what we our --- our personality, etc.... not that ---- I/we have long hair.
Actually ---- I had more women that were supportive of long hair compared to men.
Thanks,
Bob
Welcome Bob! We have people on this board of all ages. I am from NJ too and similarly first grew out my hair when I was 10 (I'm 25 now) I've had it long on and off, but for the past 6 years I've had it long, this time going for waste length (currently mid/lower back). I have to agree with you, NJ is relatively long hair friendly. No one at my job has ever given me a hard time, I was not given a hard time in school cause of it and I havn't had any negative comments from strangers. I also work in IT but as a systems support specialist.
Great story you have and again, welcome!
-Phil
Society is more accepting of things today compared to the past.
I think you're generally right. In fact, I kinda wonder why, now that we can have these things without undue trouble, more people don't take advantage of it...
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