“Blond Hair is More Desirable”: a Self-Perpetuating Social Construct
1. Natural blond hair was rare in history, before the invention of hair dye/bleach. Rare things are seen as more valuable/desirable.
2. Blond hair is most naturally common in European bloodlines, therefore having all the “perks” of Eurocentric beauty standards. Some call it “white privilege”.
3. Ancient stereotypes and biases of the “high value” of blond hair were promoted in the media, cementing them in our minds and culture. New stereotypes, such as the “dumb blond” also came about through the media. Though this has been rather over-done in movies by now, social media has gladly taken up the charge of selling blond hair as the be-all end-all hair goal.
4. Many children are born blond and their hair darkens to other colors with age. Blond hair may be subconsciously associated with youthfulness. (My own theory.)
