Headshaving

From Free net encyclopedia

Headshaving is the removal of hair from the head of people, usually by means of a razor or an electric shaver. This practice is as old as humankind as, from the earliest history, there are reports of headshaving of people, such as in Egypt and in Rome.

In ancient Greece long hair was a symbol of wealth and power, while a shaven head was appropriate to a slave. Over the centuries, the practice of headshaving was implemented to punish people, such as criminals. Even today, several countries shave the heads of inmates in prisons (Libya, USA, Russia) as a punishment and also for hygiene reasons (lice). In bootcamps for delinquent youths, in the USA, inmates are forced to have their heads shaven.

The practice of shaving a head is also used in the military, mostly for recruits. USA, Russia and several other armies "welcome" their recruits by giving to them haircuts by using hair clippers with no guard attached. As a result, this can be called headshaving. In Greece this practice was abolished on June 25, 1982. It was allowed for recruits to wear up to 4 cm of hair. Until then, the regulation haircut in Greek army for recruits was "en hro" (an archaic phrase for "shaved to the bone") and this was implemented for hygiene reasons.

Other countries, among them USA, keep this practice which seems to be a tradition (note the recruit haircuts in the USMC that are standard). Groups of people shave their heads today for different reasons. One example is skinheads, who use this appearance as a message to society. Other men and even women, shave their heads for religious (Buddhists) or medical purposes. Thanks to retired baskestball great Michael Jordan and other entertainers, headshaving has been accepted by popular culture. Websites such as Head-liner.com provide resources for the bald and balding and encourage pride in headshaving.