The Unexpected Pressures Within the Natural Hair Community

In recent years, the natural hair movement has gained significant momentum, with more and more people embracing their natural hair texture and opting to forgo chemical relaxers and straightening treatments. While this movement has undoubtedly brought about positive change in terms of representation and self-love, it has also given rise to unexpected pressures within the natural hair community.

One of the most significant pressures within the natural hair community is the expectation to have "perfect" natural hair. This can manifest in a variety of ways, from pressure to achieve a certain curl pattern or hair length to the expectation to use only natural hair products. While striving for healthy hair is always a positive goal, this pressure to attain "perfect" hair can lead to self-criticism and a sense of inadequacy among those who don't meet these standards.

Another unexpected pressure within the natural hair community is the idea that natural hair should be a political statement. While the choice to embrace natural hair can certainly be a form of self-expression and resistance against Eurocentric beauty standards, not everyone who chooses to wear their hair naturally is doing so for political reasons. This pressure to make a statement through one's hair can lead to feelings of guilt or confusion for those who simply want to wear their hair in a way that feels comfortable and authentic to them.

There is also pressure within the natural hair community to constantly educate oneself about hair care and natural hair products. While knowledge is certainly important, this pressure can become overwhelming and lead to feelings of inadequacy for those who don't have the time or resources to constantly stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. This can also create a sense of elitism within the community, where those who are considered "experts" in natural hair care are held up as the standard to which others should aspire.

The natural hair community can also be subject to colorism, with lighter-skinned people with looser curl patterns often being held up as the "ideal" within the community. This can lead to darker-skinned people and those with tighter curl patterns feeling excluded or marginalized within the community, further perpetuating harmful beauty standards.

Finally, the natural hair community can be subject to capitalism, with an endless array of natural hair products being marketed to consumers. While there are certainly many high-quality natural hair products available, the pressure to constantly buy and try new products can be financially burdensome and contribute to a sense of consumerism within the community.

All of these pressures can contribute to a sense of inadequacy and anxiety within the natural hair community. While the natural hair movement has undoubtedly brought about positive change, it is important to acknowledge and address these unexpected pressures in order to create a more inclusive and supportive community. 

To combat the pressure to achieve "perfect" natural hair, it is important to remember that everyone's hair is unique and beautiful in its own way. Rather than striving for a certain standard of beauty, focus on nourishing and caring for your hair in a way that feels good to you.

To combat the pressure to make a political statement through your hair, remember that your hair is ultimately yours to wear in whatever way makes you feel comfortable and authentic. While it can be empowering to use your hair as a form of self-expression, it is also okay to simply wear your hair in a way that feels good to you, without any deeper political meaning.

To combat the pressure to constantly educate yourself about natural hair care, remember that knowledge is a process, and there is no one "right" way to care for natural hair. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the constant influx of information, focus on finding a routine that works for you and your hair.

To combat colorism and create a more inclusive community, it is important to celebrate and uplift all textures and shades of natural hair. Rather than holding up one standard of beauty,