Why Women Straighten Their Hair

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8330701.stm

Women in Kenya and all over Africa are emulating what they see in the West and straightening their hair. I think its sad that women are using chemicals on their hair because its trendy and fashionable as the lady said. What are your thoughts?

I think it's sad too

I think it's all goes back to the fact that society favors people of european descent, or the lighter variety in general. Anything kinky, dark, or foreign is looked down upon almost anywhere you go.

Once a brown skinned guy said to me "you're yellow boned, so we would look good together". I was SOOO offended, but then I thought about it and that is a prevalent part of american history; darker black males dating/marrying lighter black females. That fact is true with my parents and grandparents. I don't think it was on purpose, because my grandparents have been married for 50+ years and my parents for 23 years, but it exists with many older couples.

Some women say they straighten their hair because it's easier to manage. From my many years of having a relaxer compared to my almost 2 years of being natural, I feel having a relaxer is more work. You have to run in from the rain, you can't shower the way you want, you can't swim without a cap, you can't have good sex with your man (or woman-whichever you prefer) without worrying about "sweating out my perm." If you don't get your touch up you are looking raggedy. I prefer my natural hair and all of its beauty. I can enjoy simple things like going outside in the misty rain without my "perm sweating out"

Oh that picture of me is the first time I gotten my hair flat ironed out. It was nice btut it was a humid day so it was a puff a few hours later. It was cute but I prefer my afro.

Wow, that was an interesting clip. I use to think that if I had my hair straightened it would be easier. So glad I didnt succumb to the "creamy crack" because I know I would've regretted it. It's MUCH easier to deal with my natural hair...even flatironed/blowouts are a bit of upkeep!

Yeah it is sad but unfortunately people are looking outside of themselves to judge their own image of themselves. And that's not just in Nairobi. The fact that they think of it as a fad is akin to the conks of the 40s and also the jheri curl and the fro. I do believe that at some point they will revert and somewhat "rebel" (strong word I know) against the relaxer. Especially with all of 'us' putting ourselves out there perhaps it will trickle up and it will no longer be about being trendy - but being healthy and being in love with your self. That's something that definitely shouldn't change from season to season.

I agree. I think at some point they will return to the natural also. It appears to be a fad. I thought it was very interesting that one of the ladies referred to Michelle Obama as an influence. Just shows how our (US) culture really affects the world in a sense.