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Rapunzel's Daughters: What Women's Hair Tells Us About Women's Lives
The first book to explore the role of hair in women's lives and what it reveals about their identities, intimate relationships, and work lives
Hair is one of the first things other people notice about us--and is one of the primary ways we declare our identity to others. Both in our personal relationships and in relationships with the larger world, hair sends an immediate signal that conveys messages about our gender, age, social class, and more.
In Rapunzel's Daughters , Rose Weitz first surveys the history of women's hair, from the covered hair of the Middle Ages to the two-foot-high, wildly ornamented styles of pre-Revolutionary France to the purple dyes worn by some modern teens. In the remainder of the book, Weitz, a prominent sociologist, explores--through interviews with dozens of girls and women across the country--what hair means today, both to young girls and to women; what part it plays in adolescent (and adult) struggles with identity; how it can create conflicts in the workplace; and how women face the changes in their hair that illness and aging can bring. Rapunzel's Daughters is a work of deep scholarship as well as an eye-opening and personal look at a surprisingly complex-and fascinating-subject.
Hair is one of the first things other people notice about us--and is one of the primary ways we declare our identity to others. Both in our personal relationships and in relationships with the larger world, hair sends an immediate signal that conveys messages about our gender, age, social class, and more.
In Rapunzel's Daughters , Rose Weitz first surveys the history of women's hair, from the covered hair of the Middle Ages to the two-foot-high, wildly ornamented styles of pre-Revolutionary France to the purple dyes worn by some modern teens. In the remainder of the book, Weitz, a prominent sociologist, explores--through interviews with dozens of girls and women across the country--what hair means today, both to young girls and to women; what part it plays in adolescent (and adult) struggles with identity; how it can create conflicts in the workplace; and how women face the changes in their hair that illness and aging can bring. Rapunzel's Daughters is a work of deep scholarship as well as an eye-opening and personal look at a surprisingly complex-and fascinating-subject.
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 13, 2009
Rather than scholarly, this book was like a conversation at a party with someone you don't know well. The author was sure that cutting our hair meant freedom & explored all kinds of ways & situations that this was true. She totally neglected to address women who find comfort or power or freedom in long hair, quite an error for a book titled "Rapunzel's Daughters". The author's observations of women who are not white & feel bad about the kind of hair or hairstyle they have was well covered as was the subject of women who have lost their hair through disease or the attempt to cure disease. I was looking for more history & research than was offered in this book. Give it a pass if you are looking for depth.
November 11, 2007
Disappointing, thought it would be a good sociological study of the importance of hair to women, but disjointed and never had a point of view other than hair is important - we knew that!
May 19, 2008
So this is a book about hair. Yes, hair.
Considering that you read this LJ at all, you're likely to be a little odd if you're a girl. Maybe you're an intellectual. Maybe you have a nice little weird niche carved out for you. I know I do. So when reading through the trials and tribulations of other women about something as trivial to me as hair, I admit I scoffed a little.
Then I read more.
Discussions on different ethnic groups, the camaraderie of the beauty parlor, and especially the section about how women style their hair in regards to relationships... there was a lot more to this book that I could relate to than what was on the surface. It's about image, about expectations, and about control. We may not always notice it, because of how we're raised (or not) but a lot of social behaviors are very subtle. Not necessarily things that we absorb passively (the book made a strong point about that distinction and thus won me over compared to a lot of women's studies) but things we may get a little pushed into sometimes.
I mean, how many of you feel pressured to keep your hair long by boyfriends? How many of you feel like it should be buzzed because you're alternative? Or feel like you have to dye it as it goes grey, because older women aren't considered as sexy?
I wish I could explain more, but it's really one of those books you have to read through to get it. It's the perfect length too, no long diatribes into barely related studies (which plagues a lot of nonfiction) or an unbalanced perspective on an issue. The author even admits her shortcomings in regards to her viewpoints, but quite obviously spent a lot of time finding a diverse cross-section of people to interview. It feels very warm, and easy to relate to.
Took me a weekend to read (and not straight, more like on and off while I did laundry, sorted through yet another stack of old books, all that) and is easily accessible, not bogged down by academic language.
Considering that you read this LJ at all, you're likely to be a little odd if you're a girl. Maybe you're an intellectual. Maybe you have a nice little weird niche carved out for you. I know I do. So when reading through the trials and tribulations of other women about something as trivial to me as hair, I admit I scoffed a little.
Then I read more.
Discussions on different ethnic groups, the camaraderie of the beauty parlor, and especially the section about how women style their hair in regards to relationships... there was a lot more to this book that I could relate to than what was on the surface. It's about image, about expectations, and about control. We may not always notice it, because of how we're raised (or not) but a lot of social behaviors are very subtle. Not necessarily things that we absorb passively (the book made a strong point about that distinction and thus won me over compared to a lot of women's studies) but things we may get a little pushed into sometimes.
I mean, how many of you feel pressured to keep your hair long by boyfriends? How many of you feel like it should be buzzed because you're alternative? Or feel like you have to dye it as it goes grey, because older women aren't considered as sexy?
I wish I could explain more, but it's really one of those books you have to read through to get it. It's the perfect length too, no long diatribes into barely related studies (which plagues a lot of nonfiction) or an unbalanced perspective on an issue. The author even admits her shortcomings in regards to her viewpoints, but quite obviously spent a lot of time finding a diverse cross-section of people to interview. It feels very warm, and easy to relate to.
Took me a weekend to read (and not straight, more like on and off while I did laundry, sorted through yet another stack of old books, all that) and is easily accessible, not bogged down by academic language.
September 10, 2012
I am one of the people who doesn't spend more than 5 minutes fixing her hair before going out and always thought that it doesn't play a role in my life. This book made me see that this is not the case.
I remembered my first haircut when I was four when my hair got cut really short and how I was excited. I also remembered how my parents were asked if I am a boy at a playground. I also remember that haircut when I was 12 which I thought made me look ugly and stopped me from ever getting a bob haircut again. I also thought of how great I felt dying my hair red or blue to stand out and also when I dyed it black to feel more as a part of the scene I like. And of course it made me think of how sometimes when I look at my hair in the mirror I feel a little worried to see my first gray hair.
Yes, hair is a big part of our lives. This book goes over the history of women's hair and talks about different ways and situations in which hair plays a role in our lives. Very interesting, thought provoking and easy to read. This book really made me want to shave my head, probably won't happen anytime soon since I need a job, but hopefully one day I will make it.
I didn't think hair can be such a fascinating topic. Will never look at it the same way again!
I remembered my first haircut when I was four when my hair got cut really short and how I was excited. I also remembered how my parents were asked if I am a boy at a playground. I also remember that haircut when I was 12 which I thought made me look ugly and stopped me from ever getting a bob haircut again. I also thought of how great I felt dying my hair red or blue to stand out and also when I dyed it black to feel more as a part of the scene I like. And of course it made me think of how sometimes when I look at my hair in the mirror I feel a little worried to see my first gray hair.
Yes, hair is a big part of our lives. This book goes over the history of women's hair and talks about different ways and situations in which hair plays a role in our lives. Very interesting, thought provoking and easy to read. This book really made me want to shave my head, probably won't happen anytime soon since I need a job, but hopefully one day I will make it.
I didn't think hair can be such a fascinating topic. Will never look at it the same way again!
September 8, 2022
Fun and easy read. The author is a scholar but has written this in a way that is easy for non-academics to get into. Obviously has done a lot of enthograpic research but I do want for more of a literature review. Great for an introduction to more scholarly books
July 4, 2025
Some interesting bits in here but it felt very dated. I assumed it was from the 70s based on the language and descriptions, and was surprised when I saw 2000s references mentioned.
March 19, 2011
I read this book in preparation for chemotherapy. The thought of losing my hair got me thinking about the significance of hair among women. Since I'm not a "hair person" who invests much time or effort in style, why was I mourning this upcoming (and only temporary) loss? This book helped me figure out why: like it or not, hair has become central of the female identity in our culture. It makes both a very personal and a very public statement of who we are. It is used by others to evaluate us: our politics, gender, age, social class, even our health. A glossy head of hair is associated with health and youth.
This book included some interesting historical material, and I appreciated the thoughtful discussions of chemotherapy and aging. It also addresses pressures on different ethnic groups (interesting; I learned a lot about the pressures on African American women to straighten their hair) and the pressures that make hair central to a girl's sense of identity (disturbing; food for thought as I raise my daughter). Interesting fact: before World War II, girls' concept of self-improvement (per their diaries) was changes to their moral character and behavior (eg, less selfish, help others, more instructive reading, work harder), whereas modern American girls focus their self-improvement efforts on their bodies (eg, lose weight, new haircut, new clothes) [p26].
As informative and thought-provoking as the first section of the book was, the second section was "lite", relying more on a spattering of interviews with women and girls to hear their thoughts on their hair. This is okay, but I would have preferred a bit more hard data in the mix. I suppose it fits with the concept of the hair salon, which is important to hair culture and centers on women sharing stories from their lives. But that's really just chitchat, whether in the salon or in this book.
This book included some interesting historical material, and I appreciated the thoughtful discussions of chemotherapy and aging. It also addresses pressures on different ethnic groups (interesting; I learned a lot about the pressures on African American women to straighten their hair) and the pressures that make hair central to a girl's sense of identity (disturbing; food for thought as I raise my daughter). Interesting fact: before World War II, girls' concept of self-improvement (per their diaries) was changes to their moral character and behavior (eg, less selfish, help others, more instructive reading, work harder), whereas modern American girls focus their self-improvement efforts on their bodies (eg, lose weight, new haircut, new clothes) [p26].
As informative and thought-provoking as the first section of the book was, the second section was "lite", relying more on a spattering of interviews with women and girls to hear their thoughts on their hair. This is okay, but I would have preferred a bit more hard data in the mix. I suppose it fits with the concept of the hair salon, which is important to hair culture and centers on women sharing stories from their lives. But that's really just chitchat, whether in the salon or in this book.
March 22, 2008
This book describes the almost mystical link between women and their hair. Dr. Weitz is a professor at ASU, and I've taken a couple of classes from her over the years. I remembered her mentioning the book she was writing, so I recently looked it up, saw it was out, and went and purchased it. I was a bit disappointed at the unacademic tact the book took with its subject. Perhaps I'm just accustomed to reading scholarly texts, but much of the discussion seemed superficial and didn't explore in detail the rationals behind women's choices for their hair. The tone was explicitly feminist, which I did find interesting, but much of what was written was unsurpizing. The section about aging and hair did hit home for me though. I've had sporadic concerns about how my hair will age, and reading about the issues that other women have faced brought home to me my own fears. Overall, a worthwhile book, but not as wonderful as I was hoping given Dr. Weitz's dynamic and scholarly lecturing style.
January 1, 2016
A fascinating look at women and their relationship with their hair. Weitz conducted many interviews and personal research to provide the nine interesting and thought-provoking chapters. She begins with a short history of women's hair, touching briefly on some ancient, medieval and early modern sources and pictures. Most of the book focuses on modern women and the advances within the past one hundred years such as chemical treatments for straightening and relaxing the hair, as well as permanent waves and dyeing treatments. She devotes special portions of the book to African hair, and other ethnic/cultural hairstyles, and how hair makes up the identity of many women. Some particularly interesting styles she mentioned were the Mexican-American "chola" style, dreadlocks, and lesbian hair styles.
Why do women dye their hair? How are women affected when they lose their hair (whether they have alopecia, chemotherapy, or a voluntary buzzcut?) What are women's relationships like with their stylist? You will find out some very interesting answers to these questions when you read the book!
Why do women dye their hair? How are women affected when they lose their hair (whether they have alopecia, chemotherapy, or a voluntary buzzcut?) What are women's relationships like with their stylist? You will find out some very interesting answers to these questions when you read the book!
July 11, 2010
I appreciated this book -- it discusses sentiments that are easy to relate to, though I feel like it could have taken the analysis far more in depth. As someone who has never had the guts to take any radical action with my hair, has been overly critical of its characteristics, and find myself in the increasing position of having to worry what it says about me as I begin to enter the workforce, a lot of the themes (especially in the first half) resonated with me.
July 24, 2008
Love books that are ultimately about femminism and acknowledge girly things -- like hair. A gift from someone who knows me best and really speaks to girls being (powerful, influential, decision making, beautiful) girls. I know that I'm not the only one of us in the real world who feels like I have a relationship with my hair!
July 5, 2010
Mildly interesting. I read page by page until about pg 70 then flipped through reading here and there. It is an interesting endeavor, but I felt a bit like I've heard it all already (being a girl, and having hair...).
March 21, 2013
I liked the beginning and talk of women's hair in an historical context. I expected more in depth research from this well-credentialed sociologist and author. There seems to be a bit too many broad generalizations. I read the first half, then ended up skimming the balance of the book.
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October 12, 2008beautiful
August 2, 2010
Interesting but not mind-blowing - pulling together a nice selection of topics, but I kept waiting for something really insightful and it didn't materialise. A pleasant rather than riveting read.
September 10, 2010
I expected more research and cross-cultural studies.
March 31, 2012
Super fascinating, I breezed through this book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews