Women with gray hair are seen as less COMPETENT, the study warns

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Women with gray hair are considered less COMPETENT: Ladies who are ‘at risk’ of showing off their natural shades of gray may be embarrassed for their decision, study warns

  • A survey of 80 women looked at attitudes toward those who embrace gray hair
  • Researchers asked questions of women embracing silver locks
  • Women found who turn gray are considered less competent, studies claim

By Joe Pinkstone for Mailonline

Published: Updated:

Women who let their hair turn gray naturally are considered more incompetent than women who dye their hair, researchers have found.

A survey of 80 members of Facebook groups where women hug their gray hair revealed a ‘conflict’ between the authentic aesthetic and being considered competent.

The women who made the switch say that people, including family and friends, often shamed them and accused them of “ letting themselves go. ”

But the women also received support and a sense of sisterhood from the Facebook groups.

Researchers say the study exposes the ‘impossible’ beauty standards that women are held to, which only become more unattainable as they age.

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Older women who let their hair naturally turn gray are considered more incompetent than women who dye their hair, researchers have found (stock)

Older women who let their hair naturally turn gray are considered more incompetent than women who dye their hair, researchers have found (stock)

“We are all constrained by society’s norms and expectations when it comes to appearance, but expectations are tougher for women – especially older women,” said lead author and PhD student Vanessa Cecil of the University of Exeter.

The ‘old woman’ is an unwanted character in Western societies because she is seen as incompetent or obnoxious – if seen at all.

‘In our research we wanted to understand why some women choose natural gray hair.

In the face of impossible standards to be natural and stay youthful forever, these women are doing what they can to maintain their status.

A survey of 80 members of Facebook groups where women hug their gray hair revealed a 'conflict' between the authentic aesthetic and being perceived as competent (stock)

A survey of 80 members of Facebook groups where women hug their gray hair revealed a ‘conflict’ between the authentic aesthetic and being perceived as competent (stock)

While many reported negative consequences, such as being ignored or treated as less proficient, they also felt happier for ‘flying my natural flag’.

We also found that women chose to compensate for graying by using other beauty practices – so embracing gray isn’t the same as embracing to look old.

“Gray-haired and youthfully glamorous is one thing, but in Western societies it’s still not okay to look old.”

Women who want to embrace their gray hair say the change was made easier when they were supported by their loved ones.

Ms. Cecil says many women have been accepting their silver locks for a while, but the Covidid-19 pandemic has given the movement an extra boost.

The study is published in the Journal of Women & Aging.

Society ‘stigmatizes’ hair loss, study finds

People without hair are seen by the general public as unattractive, dirty, contagious and unintelligent, a shocking study finds.

Researchers in America surveyed more than 2,000 people about their feelings about alopecia – the medical term for hair loss.

Their findings suggest that as many as one in six people would feel uncomfortable with physical contact with someone with alopecia.

Data also showed that 6.2 percent of people would not be comfortable hiring someone with alopecia for a job.

Patients with the most severe hair loss were considered sick (29.8 percent), unattractive (27.2 percent), contagious (9.9 percent), unintelligent (3.9 percent), and dirty (3.9 percent) . researchers write in their study, published today in JAMA Dermatology.

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