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It takes guts to be a longhair, regardless of age, weight, or the degree of perceived masculine beauty that one possesses (including the amount of fullness and quality of one's hair). But, let's face the facts: a handsome young male with an athletic physique and a luxuriously thick and lustrous head of hair is bound to have an easier time of being socially accepted into traditional Western Society than a guy with sparse, thinning, or balding hair. Similarly with the age factor, considering that historically-speaking, youth and beauty have always been worshiped in human society (in fact, it is usually us OLDER PEOLPE that are most guilty of doing the worshipping - LOL)....
Whenever I look in the mirror and wish I didn't have any receding hairline, or miss the natural honey-blonde color of my youth (as opposed to all the white hairs that I now see in the mirror), I remind myself of a bald guy that I met several years ago:
When this guys stepped out of his car after he parked next to my truck, I couldn't help but notice that his hair went almost down to his KNEES -- and yet in front and on top of his head, no hair grew at all!!!! I couldn't help speaking to him.
"WOW, some day I hope I can grow my hair that long! I hope you never cut yours -- it looks AWESOME!! I cut mine in Y2K, and deeply regret it."
His response was immediate, and very warm & friendly: "Thanks! I figure it this way: God gave me this hair; so what right do I have to cut it off?"
I agreed with him, and then we chatted a bit longer before we both had to go separate ways...
I'll never forget that guy. He's been a source of inspiration and symbol of courage to me ever since I met him that day -- even though I have never seen him again.
So, to any and all longhairs who continue to grow and take good care of your long locks (regardless of how old you are or how much hair is now missing from the days of your youth): keep it growin'!!!
"Onward & Downward!"
- Ken in San Francisco
Thanks for sharing your thougts Ken. And you are right about all those things.
However, I just wanted to let you know that you DO NOT have any receding hairline. I've seen some pictures of yours and you have a normal "mature" or "adult" hairline that almost every caucasian man over 30 has. This change in the hairline doesn't have anything to do with MPB(male pattern baldness), however sometimes it's difficult to tell if your hairline is receding, or it's just matured, but I'm pretty sure in your case it is just a mature hairline, since it has stayed so many years without receding further.
For more information you can check out this site:
http://www.baldingblog.com/2006/10/06/juvenile-vs-mature-hairline-am-i-going-bald-with-photos/
Have a great day, guys ! :]
Statyc
I have to say I dont get it when men get older and, yes I know, you have receeding hairlines but why get rid of your hair? Is it that bad? Personally I dont think so. I'd rather have a man with a receeding hairline & a ponytail than a man with a crew cut - that's just my own personal opinion. Yet 'society' (once again) kicks in and people tell others how they should look and feel - BS - and some are pretty rude too.
I still think Mr Quo looks better with a ponytail than not - even if it is thin - just my opinion tho
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article2309123.ece
Great commentary Ken as I couldn't agree more with your statement.Hey, just having the guts to be a longhair deserves some respect.Whether it be an awesome mane or something less spectacular at least you went with your belief that you do look better with more hair than not.Don't sell yourself short Ken as I think your mane is hands down awesome!Cheers my friend:)
Mark
Great post, Ken !!
I am one who has significant MPB, yet enjoy my long hair. In my past of the world (SouthWest US), living and dress is very casual and it is very acceptable for an older man to have long hair. "Skullets" abound !!
Thanks for Sharing your thoughts on this !!
Walter
As an oldie with far less hair on the top than I would like, I'm glad to read what you've written. I am going for a record - I was 39 when I last trimmed, and I am to go at least another 39 years without a trim. So far, it's been 16 years, and although I've only got enough hair to annoy my mother, it continues to be great fun, not just to have long hair but to be part of the great worldwide hairy community.
In my first year at UC Berkeley, i was biking around and came across some little park on the north side of the campus and there was a old native american guy with long hair, in a ponytail, so silver. It was a great mane, lionly. At the time I was just starting to grow my hair out, but I thought to myself that his hair was way cool and that I would want to look like that someday.