Short Hair

Ever since I started coaching, I have encountered many little curious angels on court. Their inquisitive nature starts to shine as time went by and we slowly bounded. I adore all of their questions.

One day I happened to forget my cap for the coaching session, and at the end of the session, a little girl came up and asked me a series of “serious” questions. One of them was “Why your hair so short?” (excuse the grammar for a little angel). I did not even think and replied: “it’s allowed”. She looked at me deep in thought.

I did NOT like my answer.

AT ALL

I don’t like the word “allowed”. I wish I said something like “We are in charge of our own body and we can choose to have our hair however we like.” or “Short hair does not belong to any specific gender”, but I said “It’s allowed”. Maybe that is how I feel deep down as there was a time that women are not allowed to vote and there was a time where women are not allowed to receive education and there was a time where women are not allowed to have private property and nowadays, there are places where women are still not allowed to have abortion.

I think about political and social issues, however, I am not a political person. When I was younger, I would say “I am a feminist” with bravery and pride. But now, I hesitate. I am not sure if it is “allowed”. Nowadays, to some people, “feminism” is a dirty word to some as it is perceived as radical and extreme. To me, “feminism” simply means empowerment: women can choose. They can choose to have short hair, long hair, medium hair or no hair. They can choose to have a career oriented life or family oriented one. They can choose to be pro life or pro choice. They can choose to have a life partner or not, to have children or not, get married or not. As long as they are comfortable with their choices, who has the right to judge?

I have always had short hair growing up. Despite my mom’s relentless attempts and countless tactics, I have never had long hair. (Sorry mom maybe next life if there’s one.) I have always felt comfortable with my short hair. I feel like myself and I love myself this way. I have a little boy in my red ball session with long hair. He’s very naughty but he’s comfortable under his own skin. I can see that he loves his long hair just like I love my short hair.

We have been living in the binary society for a long time and it is still a work in progress to embrace diverse gender expressions. Though I did not provide a good answer then, I hope by just being myself and being comfortable under my own skin, I provide a better answer in the long run.