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Hairstyle sexism?

I just got a response on EP explaining that the Police are "institutionally sexist" because they allow female police officers to have whatever hairstyle they want, but refuse to allow male police officers the same privilege. Anybody got any comments?

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Entropic1

The police (and military) are responding to social influences. It is widely viewed as "professional" for a woman to have long hair and a man to have short hair. Meanwhile, a woman with a crew cut or a man with a ponytail are viewed as deviant.

Mikemcneil · 61-69, M

So is it proof of "institutional sexism"....?

Entropic1

Only slightly, and only insofar as it reflects sexism in the wider society. The real sexism is more evident in rates of hiring, promotion, duty assignments, etc. I don't have that data, but a few minutes of diligent web searching should provide at least some of it.

Mikemcneil · 61-69, M

Agreed....I would rate hairstyles in the Police as very low on the scale of "things that prove sexism" list