Japanese Survey Finds Support for Fewer Hairstyle Rules and More Self-Expression in School Club Activities

The hair care manufacturer Mandom conducted a survey of 1,314 men and women aged from 20 to 49 about their club activities while at high school. When asked if there had been rules about personal appearance for those activities, 54.9% said yes. Regarding the type of rules, the three most common concerned “hair length/shortness” (59.0%), “coloring and perms” (55.8%), and “hairstyle” (42.5%), all connected to hair.

Respondents were also asked if they felt hair as a form of self-expression improved motivation and performance in club activities, to which 71.6% of respondents in total in their twenties answered either “very much” or “somewhat.” Meanwhile, 54.5% in their forties felt the same, revealing a gap of 17.1% and a difference in thinking between the two generations.

Moreover, when respondents were asked if they felt the club activity hairstyle rules for current high school students were unreasonable, many more of those in their twenties, closer in age to those students, believed so.

Respondents were further asked if they thought self-expression in appearance was compatible with club activities, to which more than 70% in each of the age groups agreed.

(Translated from Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)