my mum has very long hair .She started to grow her hair when she was in her 30's.Now she is 45 years old.

A lot of ladies around my mun's age has cut their hair to neck length.Short hair maybe is the fashion of women in middle age.She wears her black straight mane into a huge braid bun that fixed on her head with a big hairnet.More and more friends of hers have began to think my mum's hairstyle is a totle failure,out of fashion,making my mum being a freak.They haven't been successed on persuading her having a short haircut.

But I think sooner or later,my mum would have to cut it short because so many friends don't like the hair of Rapunzel.And my mum has began to think about a short haircut.I like the hair very much.I don't want to cut it short and I think my mum likes the hair too.
Should I give her some confidence on keeping hair that long or,I think ,tell her to cut it short for her own good?


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Could they be jealous or is it misplaced, but well intended advice?  I'd give her confidence to make her own mind up.  I'm strongly opposed to forcing anything on anyone aestetic wise, which they're not comfortable with, especially with something as visible and for many women, as identity defining as hair and it doesn't grow out over night regardless of what people say; "it'll grow out again if you hate it".  That's little comfort.  

If she feels she must cut, then she should probably do it in small steps, a few inches, max. ½ foot to start with and even that may feel very drastic.  

However, if you're certain she would want to hold onto her locks if it wasn't for peer pressure, then support her in that decision.  

Another thing to consider is that as we age, our hair generally tends to grow slower and we may not be able to grow our hair to the lengths we could in the past so that's another reason why it could be too dramatic, emotionally traumatic and perhaps completely irreversable if say, she had her hair cut to her shoulders like her friends.  

If her friends are making a big fuzz out of her hair, then it's her friends that need changing (replacing) and not her hair!  Sorry, but "friends" like that really upset me.

Just to quote myself: "I wear my hair the way I like it, I'm sure you wear your hair the way you like it". :)  I paraphrased someone else's answer on her different apparel style.  Could be her standard answer.  No apologies, no explanations.  They have no right to demand one of her.

Dunno about the hair net, but the black braided bun sounds lovely. And if your mum likes having long hair, by all means, I say encourage it! Tell her friends to mind their own.  ::)

Oh my!  As a person with "only" classic length hair, I'm not sure I can really relate to your mother's predicament, but I will throw out one BIG comment.  As I have thougth about cutting my hair to be much shorter, I am stopped by the thought of STYLING my shorn locks.  I've had long hair long enough that I'm not sure I could handle anything that required me to do anything more than braid or bun it.  With floor length hair, I'm quite sure that would be the same.  Then add in what it would take to grow it out again (a lifetime??!!) ---- that would give me great pause for condsideration before taking the scissors to my hair.

But I always add - it is a very personal decision on what length a person's hair should be and only that person should make the decision.  I just hope the decision would not be made hastily.

Oh my stars and garters--your mother's hair is GORGEOUS.  It appears thick and healthy and I would almost sell my soul for hair like hers (I said almost!).   :)  

I agree with what the other ladies have said before me.  I would repeat, hair is a tremendously personal subject and your mother should not let anyone make this decision for her.  The world of fashion, including hair, is driven by greed, pure and simple, and is rarely concerned with what's best for the individual.  Besides, does your mum really want to look like 90% of the other "mature" ladies her age?!   ;)  (hopefully not)  Take care and good luck.