Prejudice against red-heads? Why?

[AYoungSillyWomen]

This is sort of old news but it still baffles me. Across britain (I don't know about other countries) there's a prejudice called gingerism where people for whatever reason hate red-heads. Historically red headed women were thought to be witches but this is the 21 century and what gets me even more confused is the fact that red hair is the rarest hair color in the world, surely we should value and try to preserve the trait not demonize it.

Also, a few years ago, scientists were doing DNA tests on couples to see if they were carrying the ginger gene and many couples who found out they were actually wanted to break up with their partners. Having a red headed child can be that disgusting to people? What is wrong with people?

Me personally, I wish I was a redhead. Beautiful flaming locks and cute freckles. What's there not to like? There is a sunlight sensitivity but I'd live. So why is this prejudice continuing.

I don't get it, red hair is beautiful

I love red hair. .when I was young I wanted to be anne shirley. I loved bianca's hair from eastenders. ...Red hair and freckles love them

Depends really doesn't it, one picture I say YANBU the other I say YABU 😂

I love red hair too. No idea where the ginger hate came from. It's one of those few discriminations which still seems to be socially acceptable 🤷‍♀️

I have red hair, don’t think I’ve ever experience prejudice.

I think basically many people are shit and like to make themselves feel better by making other people feel bad. Red heads stand out and make an easy target for othering. Either that or people are jealous of beautiful red hair.

I've got red hair. My Mum was proposed to at 18 by a red haired boyfriend - turned him down as she would have kids with red hair. Met my brown haired Dad, had brown haired first born and then I arrived. That showed her 😂 she actually went beserk when I got blonde highlights at 21!!

I have red hair. I grew up in California and always received loads of compliments on it. Then I moved to England and was shocked at how many people hate redheads or make fun of them - I personally haven't been victimised here probably because I'm an adult, but I can imagine it's hellish for young kids!

I love red hair. I have natural red & gold highlights but I spent most of my 20s with bum length chestnut (henna) red hair. Only stopped because it takes 4 hours to apply...

It’s plain old-fashioned othering, and apparently still socially acceptable.

I'm a proud red-haired, blue-eyed freckly individual, as are my DJ and two beautiful DC.

Mock us if you dare...

Every person who has met my youngest daughter says how beautiful her hair is. She is completely unaware of the attention, as she is non-verbal and has severe learning disabilities. If she ever got lost, she'd be spotted easily because her hair really stands out.

@toomanyspiderplants

I love red hair. .when I was young I wanted to be anne shirley. I loved bianca's hair from eastenders. ...Red hair and freckles love them

I was obsessed with Bianca

She's beautiful bit of fun I'm very envious

This one shows it off a bit more. She's greeting Ken Dodd

Thank you, @chunkyrun. I feel irrationally proud of my throwback Irish genetics when I look at her .

They're just jealous

I've never understood it either. It's bizarre, and only seems to exist in the UK.

@Sootikinstew

Depends really doesn't it, one picture I say YANBU the other I say YABU 😂

Oh. That’s unfair. Mick was a really good looking chap, just hasn’t aged that well bless him.

There is prejudice from the ignorant but l think it’s lovely. Over half my family have red hair (my grandma was 1 of 6 children and they all had red hair). I half jokingly in the past have told ex’s and my fiancé that l will give them ginger children. Sadly it doesn’t look like l can have children

@BitOfFun she has lovely hair! Great condition as well

I think it's the opposite! With it being v desirable to be a red headed woman, thought of as beautiful. The 'hottest girl' at my school had auburn hair, I was v envious of her so maybe that's tainted my perspective.

it's traditionally because it's associated with Irish/Scottish heritage and so othering of red hair has become entrenched in (primarily) English culture. It's similar to the way that traditional Scottish names like Callum, Kyle or Kayden etc. are considered 'chavvy'(yes I know that term is problematic).

There's not generally an overt connection anymore to these nationalist sentiments, but they remain at the root of why red-headedness and traditional Scottish names are mocked in England, even though the original intention may not be there anymore.

My hair is ginger and I haven't experienced any prejudice because of it.

I'm in my late 20's though, maybe it's a generational thing?

People are arseholes?

Maybe that is why Disney is changing Arial the little mermaid from a red-head to a black girl? I guess it's back to blond and brunette princesses.