Comment by Carol on July 18, 2008 at 11:29am

It's simply culture! In Greece, for example, sailors used to have tattoos of babies with beards and whatnot. My brother-in-law is very italian and although he shaves his head, he has never welcomed me. His wife's hair couldn't be any thicker! I find it very irritating that his own flesh-and-blood sister has downs syndrome but has issues with my lack of hair. Hair, apparently, is excessively important to Italians! Any other views on this????

Comment by Mandy on July 18, 2008 at 11:46am

Yes, I agree it's just a difference in culture/society. Don't let that stop you from being you I say.

Comment by Cheryl, Co-founder on July 18, 2008 at 3:27pm

I agree it is the culture, but even in North America it is just coming around. The first NAAF conference that I went to everybody wore wigs. Then I saw one woman without one and I was in total awe of her and knew then, that that is where I wanted to be. Now it is so different at the conference, so many different people use all their options, wigs, hats, scarves, bald.... I even know of some people who I have only seen without a wig, but at home they say they always wear one.

We indirectly receive and internalize the message that we are not "right". That there is something wrong with us and if there is something wrong with us, they should turn their eyes the other way and not associate with us.

I think it takes people stepping out of their comfort zones and changing societies views. For example, at one time you would whisper if you had cancer, now cancer patients are doing amazing awareness campaigns and are embracing their situations and showing and talking about it. I think alopecia is at that same place now. Where we are more and more becoming willing to step out and let people know that this condition exist and let them see what it looks like. I think only when we start to accept ourselves will people views start to change. I once read that we teach people how to treat us. So if we are showing and acting like we are unacceptable or accepting that we are unacceptable, then we will be viewed as unacceptable. If we stand tall and start thinking that we are “all that” ;), then other will notice the treat us accordingly.

Comment by J on July 21, 2008 at 8:31am

Well I shouldn't generalize...my boy friend is Italian and has been VERY supportive and caring, sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am. But many women are not as lucky as I am and it makes me feel bad.

Comment by baldiegirl on July 31, 2008 at 2:44am

The Italians are fashion crazed and obviously hair tops the list when dealing with beauty and looking sexy. In Malta were I live we follow Italian fashion trends a lot and yes the Maltese are hair obsessed! We got hairsalons mushrooming everywhere!!

Comment by J on July 31, 2008 at 3:01am

Yeah, baldiegirl I know what you mean!!

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