On Going Grey

Abstract

Greying hair is one of the definitive physical markers of advancing years. Indeed the phrase ‘going grey’ is a common metaphor for ageing itself, while efforts to soften or lessen the visibility of grey, such as the ‘blue rinse’, have in the past served as a symbol in the stereotyping of older people. The process of greying, from the discovery of the first few grey hairs, through the ‘salt and pepper’ stage and on to fully grey or white hair is gradual and takes place over many years. Yet going grey is often presented as a socially and personally significant ‘moment’, cast in advertising and other cultural representations of ageing as a threshold or a point of transition. We are spurred to act at the sight of grey and the way we respond often serves as an indicator of the meanings that we attach to later life and the extent to which we accept or resist dominant constructs of greying.