Oh, to live in a hair-centric society. Guten Tag! This is Captain Jenna, transmitting to you from Spaceship Earth. Today's message is in relation to our culture's defining of gender-roles through hair.

Genesis of Captain Jenna's Transformation

It all started back on a cool, breezy night in May. Laughing and living life with gusto, one of my best friends and I sat in her truck. During a pause in the merriment, my friend began feeling her exposed calves and complaining, "Man, I have to shave soon." My hands passed over my own legs, the prickly stubble notifying me that I was due for a shave. 

I was still slightly dazed from the giddiness of our prior conversation when I mused, "Why do people shave anyway?" I paused for a moment, realizing the inexactness of the question. "People," I thought,  "don't shave -- women do." My mind's wheels turned in what was sure to be an exciting adventure: I was going to stop shaving.

Grooming Anarchy (the aim: self-directed style)

Originally I planned to stop shaving for a month, and then, at the end of the month, I would decide whether to resume shaving. I then expanded my goal to discovering who established these social regulations and why.

Modern (shaving) History

Modern, in the title, implies within the past two centuries. The 20th century saw development of newer and better razors, including the birth of the Gillette razor. Razors were initially just for men to use on facial hair.

However, with only men shaving, and with razor sales down, the bourgeois capitalist marketers devised a plan. That's when an ad titled "Summer Dress and Modern Dancing" arrived, encouraging women to shave. It displayed a woman with shaved armpits, preempting the argument that women don't need to shave.

The ad was placed in Harper's Bazaar magazine in May of 1915, and was initially shocking. However, by the end of 1917 the campaign seemed to work and razor sales doubled as women began to purchase them, seemingly succumbing to new definitions of aesthetically pleasing; feminine; beautiful; but above all -- natural. Ironic.

Reactions to my Revolution

In the first week or two after I stopped shaving, not much transpired between me and those around me, which, upon reflection, I figure that their lack of reaction was because they thought I was being lazy and skipped a few days worth of shaving. After a while, though, I began to receive quizzical looks and occasional upturned noses.

My friends and family knew of my experiment and plans. Some were very encouraging, and we discussed different elements of how and why gender roles are defined by hair. They were supportive and a few wanted me to adopt the experiment as a lifestyle. Others, including members of my family, were eager for the trial month to be over in hopes that I would get rid of the notion of not shaving. The circle of people who gave approval and disdain grew as I attended classes at school and went to social events.

The Results

During this period I wasn't too fazed by the negative commentary; I was determined, thought out the pros and cons of the situation, and was standing by what made sense to me based upon my own research and logic.

I continued beyond the month, extended it to three months, and then shaved my body. This was partly to see how people would perceive me then, partly to feel the difference, and partly for the reminder of the time and effort needed to shave -- it took an hour for me to shave it clean.

At this point in time I've made the decision to keep my body unshaven; it's more natural for me, more efficient, and I don't feel as attached to this system of arbitrarily assigned definitions and rules of what makes me beautiful. Not to be too cliche, but I feel more like myself: that my body better represents who I am, consciously and unconsciously.

Part Two

As of mid-late September of this year, I extended the experiment to include hair on the scalp: better phrased... I shaved my head.

This has received a lot more attention amongst those with whom I associate, which makes sense, given that it's a more visible/noticeable hair change. The criticisms against this are much more extensive and numerous than those against my not shaving of other body parts, but I love my hair like this. Again, it goes back to feeling more efficient, natural, etc.

In Conclusion:

From all of my hair-related adventures, I shall impart some of the wisdom I have obtained to you lot:

1. As mentioned in my first post, Choose the Reality. Consider the "why"'s and "how"'s behind every "what" that you find yourself engaging in.

2. Open yourself to new understandings of what is truly beautiful: a person's outer features which are subject to change regardless of how much they shave and primp, or their overall character and desire to grow and develop.

This is your Captain, over and out.

Hello fellow passengers of Spaceship Earth! Your ever-eager, self-designated Captain of our little pocket of the universe is ready to give you the latest transmission.

Original Intent

Some of you have probably seen rings (such as the one depicted in the image to the right) with the initials CTR and wondered to what it was referring. The initials themselves stand for the words "Choose the Right"; this is a saying or motto among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon Church) that is taught to children and used by members of the church as a reminder to act righteously.

This isn't good enough of an acronym for me. Whilst sitting in church one Sunday, I fiddled with my own CTR ring and contemplated how the word 'right' is so subjective (what's right to one person is wrong to another). So I pulled out my trusty notepad and pen and set to work on what I thought CTR should signify.


My Insight

There were a couple of acronyms that were borderline ridiculous (i.e. Color the Rainbow), but after writing out a list and collaborating with a few close friends, I came up with two key meanings that apply to my life.

1. Consider the Reasons. The most important question in my life (as I'm sure is the case for other people) is, "Why?" What causes the emotions, thoughts and actions of people around me? Why is the world the way it is? When I make my choices and try to make sense of my existence/the world around me, I will remember to consider the reasons behind everything.

2. Choose the Reality. Some might argue that the word 'reality,' like 'right,' is subjective. I disagree, and have the dictionary on my side! According to Merriam-Webster, reality is "the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them".

One characteristic with which I disagree is self-deception. This can expand to deceit in general, but self-deception brings my point across better. People allow themselves to ignore the reality and live in an imaginary world. While this can be helpful to them (emotionally, physically, or mentally keeping them sound) I would much rather be honest and accept the reality. In other words... ignorance is not bliss.

Ring Positioning

I've been wearing my CTR ring since April of this year. When I originally bought, it I wore it on my right ring finger. After a while, specifically around the time I started reconsidering the meaning of the acronym, I switched the ring to my left ring finger.

In Western culture, men and women wear rings on their left ring finger when they get married. It is a representation of their commitment/love to and for their spouse. I wear my CTR ring on my 'wedding' finger in order to convey my conviction and dedication to my ideals--to who I am as a person. The alteration of the acronym only enhances this concept as it fully represents my perspective.


In Conclusion

If I could pick anything for you to take from this message, dear readers, it would be that you understand the need to have great self-awareness and be true to yourself. Consider the reasons, and choose the reality.

This is your Captain, over and out.