Although hair is a physiological phenomenon, it is also a social one. Hair is an object of intense elaboration and preoccupation in almost all societies. Hairstyles and rituals surrounding hair care and adornment convey powerful messages about a person's beliefs, lifestyles, and commitments. Inferences and judgments about a person's morality, sexual orientation, political persuasion, religious sentiments, and, in some cultures, socio-economic status can sometimes be surmised by seeing a particular hairstyle.
