[Marika (OP)]

Matthias asks:

Is there an evolutionary reason/explanation why women typically have long hair and men short hair?

What do you think?

[evan_au]

Fashion?
Pragmatism? In some traditional-male occupations, long hair might be a liability?
Warfare? In a fight, hair can be used against you.

[Kryptid]

I think it's cultural more than anything. A lot of women have short hair in African tribes.

[CliffordK]

Pragmatism? In some traditional-male occupations, long hair might be a liability?
Warfare? In a fight, hair can be used against you.

Evan,

I think you may have just proven the benefit of the bald gene in men (but not women).

Not all cultures cut their hair.  I believe native Americans traditionally kept long hair for both men and women.

I have to wonder if hair might have been part of the divergence between humans and the animal kingdom.  You mention fighting, but some hair may be of benefit in the animal kingdom, as much of the fighting has to do with teeth and claws.  Hair can be slick, but also having the assailant getting a mouth full of hair may be protective.

On the other hand, with humans with the opposable thumbs, letting the assailant get a hand full of hair could be one's downfall. 

It is interesting that human hair seemed to grow shorter and sparcer than other primates except on the scalp, and on Men's faces.

[Colin2B]

some hair may be of benefit in the animal kingdom, as much of the fighting has to do with teeth and claws.  Hair can be slick, but also having the assailant getting a mouth full of hair may be protective.

Many animals have a mane and most predators go for the neck, so could be protective.

[alancalverd]

A common women's cut among many straight-haired tribes is a fringe with straight sides. This has the effect of framing the face, making it look smaller and younger, thus generally attractive to a potentially protective or dominant mate.

Baldness comes with age (if not wisdom) and testosterone, so short hair implies the qualities required for leadership and fighting.

It's interesting that older caucasian women tend to adopt curled or fluffed hairstyles to maximise the volume of whatever is left, and thus exaggerate gender differentiation beyond reproductive age.

[Zer0]

Re: Why do women typically have long hair and men short hair?

Possibly coz Women can afford to maintain them with even much hassles bcoz they are patient n understanding in character, while men are fidgety by nature.

Also women seem alot more peaceful n maturish as they believe in solving problems by using their mouths.(words) Whereas men are quarrelsome n use their fists instead.

P.S. - possibly the above mentioned reasons also imply on why women have longer nails than men.
💅

*Note - In no manner whatsoever do the above mentioned statements derive that small/short haired women are fidgety & quarrelsome.
🌷

[rami999]

i think they are the same
but after 20 for men they might loss their hair because of genetics, nothing more

[Kryptid]

i think they are the same
but after 20 for men they might loss their hair because of genetics, nothing more

That's not true for me. My hair grows thick and quick even though I'm in my early thirties. Even those men who experience male pattern baldness can still grow long hair around the bald spot.