Wednesday, August 20, 2014

“Do Men Prefer Women Who Wear Their Hair Natural or Embrace Natural Beauty?" Part II

Men On Embracing Women of Natural Beauty Continues...
CLICK  THIS LINK FOR PART ONE OF MY RESEARCH/INTERVIEWS
Part Two of My Project Below:

A couple of weeks ago, I conducted interviews on women about their natural hair transition and journey and decided that it would also be interesting getting men's prospective and preferences in regards to natural beauty. Particularly, emphasizing their thoughts and feelings toward women who have or are transitioning from wearing their hair constantly pressed, chemically-processed or covered under wigs or weaves-to wearing their naked natural hair texture. 
Conversely, I asked several male friends of mine if they preferred the wearing of moderate accessorized/ accentuated styles such as: the wearing of African styles and hair extensions, eyelashes, nail extension, etc., and why. Finally, I explained that this interview was not about a right or wrong answer but only to get their honest thoughts, opinion, and feelings. 

Here are the interviews:

Devon's Response: 
Q-Nurtured Naturally ByC: Hi Mr. Devon, thanks for participating and time. I do want to know first of all if you have family and/or friends within your circle/community who are natural beauties?
Devon:  I have family members that are natural beauties when it comes to hairstyles and they wear them well. Also they are comfortable with their style of choice.

Q: Overall, are you more attracted to natural beauty or women who wear little to heavy make-up, and a lot of accessories? Elaborate?
Devon: I am OK with make-up as long as it's not laid on a woman face thick - it should not be so noticeable on her face.

Q: Tell me, in regards to natural hair styled women, do you prefer natural textured-hair women or women who frequently/always wear their hair chemically-treated (relaxed/permanents) and covered with protective styles as weaves or wigs.
Devon: When it comes to hairstyles, I really do not like the weave - natural hair is the best because it's different than the norm, it shows the woman embraces her culture. Women knows she can be beautiful without it being chemically treated. To answer the question.. I prefer women to wear their hair naturally.

Q: Would you be supportive if your woman/wife/sister/daughter/mother decided to go natural, and how?
Devon: My wife and daughter are already natural when it comes to hairstyles.

Q: What would turn you off about natural beauty or natural textured hair?
Devon: Nothing turns me off about natural beauty or natural texture hair.

Q: Do you feel that a woman who wears her hair natural looks better with make-up? Elaborate.  
Devon: I would say that a woman makeup highlights her natural hair.

Q: How would you react if when the next time you saw your wife/woman, her is natural but the last time you were with her, her hair was either relaxed or always straight, weaved or covered with a wig?
Devon: My reaction would be caught off guard at first but I love the natural look on my wife and daughter.

Q: If you had to choose your favorite natural hair style for a woman, what would it be?
Devon: My natural favorite hairstyle for a woman would be the coils. I like the way the Afro-look with coils look on a woman.

Q: Do you think some men have difficulty embracing natural kinky or coily textured-hair due to the self-hatred taught to African Americans…in this country during and after slavery, and the influence of Westernized views that correlates with social acceptance of what’s considered beautiful?
Devon: I really do not think men find it difficult if a woman wears her hair naturally. Men are more mesmerized with a woman body than her hairstyle.

Q: Finally, what advice or affirmation would you give a young girl or female teen to help boost her level of self-esteem about loving her natural hair texture and image?

Devon: It would be difficult to give advice to a teen about wearing her hair natural because she is influenced by her peers who wears a weave. It takes courage for a young lady to wear her hair naturally. My daughter started at the age of 15 because her hair was breaking from perming it, so she decided to let it grow naturally. Three years later she still embraces the natural look.

Andre's Response: 
Q: Hey Mr. Andre (aka Dre'). I wanted to know if you have family and/or friends within your circle/community who are natural beauties?
Dre'I have many in my family, work, church and community who are natural beauties and I appreciate their natural flow and the fact that they are comfortable in their own skin and hair.

Q: Overall, are you more attracted to natural beauty or women who wear little to heavy make-up, and a lot of accessories? Elaborate?
Dre': I am more attracted to all that is natural from her nails, to hair, naturally treated skin from oils, spices, and minerals. I don’t do the heavy make-up, long weave, false eye lashes, nor over revealing clothes – to me it’s a cry for attention and will attract what it’s intended too. But be natural being you.

Q: Tell me, in regards to natural hair styled women, do you prefer natural textured-hair women or women who frequently/always wear their hair chemically-treated (relaxed/permanents) and covered with protective styles as weaves or wigs.
Dre': Seeing more and more sisters shifting into the natural flow is rather exciting to me because they have to basically start over. So more of their feminine qualities are released to cover the absence of hair and when the hair catches up, they are ready to go. Natural not chemically treated preferred. 

Q: Would you be supportive if your woman/wife/sister/daughter/mother decided to go natural, and how?
Dre'I would be supportive as I have already been of my baby girl. I encourage her in compliments and in reminding her of how lovely she is and that’s she’s something on the planet that no one else can say, My Baby Girl!!!

Q: What Do You like About Being Natural Beauty?
Dre':  It’s Natural – Organic – Self – it’s not rehearsed, made up, or manufactured…

Q: What would turn you off about natural beauty or natural textured hair?
Dre'': If It’s NOT CLEAN!!!!!!

Q: Do you feel that a woman who wears her hair natural looks better with make-up? Elaborate.  
Dre': Some! As long as it’s soft and blends, and well as flows naturally. Not caked on!!!

Q: How would you react if when the next time you saw your wife/woman, her is natural but the last time you were with her, her hair was either relaxed or always straight, weaved or covered with a wig?
Dre':  N/A – when I find my wife/woman she will be natural out the gate and I would not have to worry about weaves, wigs, nor relaxed!

Q: If you had to choose your favorite natural hair style for a woman, what would it be?
Dre':  Twist, Locks, Kinki Or Fro  - in that order.

Q: Do you think some men have difficulty embracing natural kinky or coily textured-hair due to the self-hatred taught to African Americans…in this country during and after slavery, and the influence of Westernized views that correlates with social acceptance of what’s considered beautiful?
Dre':  I do think that some men have this issue because of the commercial like that we’ve been fed through media and as a form of self-hate as we don’t embrace our blackness and our natural self. But it’s shifting daily as the issue is brought to the forefront.

Q: Finally, what advice or affirmation would you give a young girl or female teen to help boost her level of self-esteem about loving her natural hair texture and image?
Dre': I just did it today in my Character Education Class – having to remind a young sister of her beauty in skin and hair – her smile came forth and her esteem lifted as she heard it from a man, father, mentor and or teacher that she respected and knew that it was to build her up in love.

Nurtured Naturally: Thank you Dre'. I knew you were also a good candidate for this project. Good insight Preacher!

Isaac's Response: 
Q: Hey Mr. Isaac I wanted to know if you have family and/or friends within your circle/community who are natural beauties?
ParticipantYes I do.

Q: Overall, are you more attracted to natural beauty or women who wear little to heavy make-up, and a lot of accessories? Elaborate?
Isaac: I am more attracted to natural beauty & someone who wears very little make-up & little accessories. I believe a woman doesn’t need a lot of anything to make her look beautiful.

Q: Tell me, in regards to natural hair styled women, do you prefer natural textured-hair women or women who frequently/always wear their hair chemically-treated (relaxed/permanents) and covered with protective styles as weaves or wigs.
Isaac: I think it depends on the woman & what she prefers. As long as she is happy, I am happy.

Q: Would you be supportive if your woman/wife/sister/daughter/mother decided to go natural, and how?
Isaac I would be very supportive & help her find a style that we both like.

Q: What Do You like About Being Natural Beauty?
Isaac: Natural Beauty does not require a lot of make-up, & I prefer a woman that does not wear a lot of make-up.

Q: What would turn you off about natural beauty or natural textured hair?
Isaac: I would not be turned off by either.

Q: Do you feel that a woman who wears her hair natural looks better with make-up? Elaborate.
Isaac: It depends on the woman. Some woman prefer to wear make-up & some do not. I like it either way.

Q: How would you react if when the next time you saw your wife/woman, her is natural but the last time you were with her, her hair was either relaxed or always straight, weaved or covered with a wig?
Isaac:  I would first have to take in the change & understand that she is still the same woman so I would not react negatively. I would still like it either way.

Q: If you had to choose your favorite natural hair style for a woman, what would it be?
Isaac:  It really depends on the woman, but I would choose natural curls.

Q: Do you think some men have difficulty embracing natural kinky or coily textured-hair due to the self-hatred taught to African Americans…in this country during and after slavery, and the influence of Westernized views that correlates with social acceptance of what’s considered beautiful?
Isaac:  Yes I do. Most men want their woman to look like what society has conditioned them to think is acceptable.

Q: Finally, what advice or affirmation would you give a young girl or female teen to help boost her level of self-esteem about loving her natural hair texture and image?

Isaac: I would encourage her to first love herself & don’t let anyone tell her that she is not beautiful.

Thank you Isaac for your honesty and time. I appreciate your participation. 
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1 comment:

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