Last Updated on August 28, 2022 by Oscar O. Paquin
Do you know how common it is for Mexicans to have curly hair? Curly hair, like most characteristics, is inherited from your parents, so it’s no surprise that it is possible to find many Mexicans with curly hair. Curly hair tends to be inherited from one parent and passed on to children, though straight hair can also be inherited by both parents and passed down to their kids. It all depends on the specific genes of each family and what type of genes are more dominant in each person and their ancestry.
Curly Hair Among Mexican Women
It’s pretty common for Mexican women to have curly hair. Many Mexican women grow up thinking their curly hair is beautiful and unique. They have a variety of hairstyles that they can choose from, but they all usually involve keeping their curly hair healthy and hydrated.
Numerous products cater to curly-haired girls, and even salons specialize in curly hair. So, don’t be surprised if you’re ever in Mexico and see a woman with curly hair! But what is the exact percentage of Mexican women with curled hair?
According to statistics (although there’s no consensus), approximately 42% of Latin American women have natural curls. Why is this number so high? Scientists say it’s because we inherit genes from both parents: One parent may carry the gene for straight hair while the other has the gene for curly hair.
Each person’s genetic makeup also affects how much they curl their hair – some people naturally curl more than others.
Reasons Why Latin American Women Have Curlier Hair Than Women from Other Countries
There are a few reasons Latin American women have curlier hair than women from other countries. One reason is that the climate in Latin America is usually hotter and more humid than in other parts of the world. This can make straight hair frizzy and difficult to manage.
Another reason is that many Latin American women have mixed ancestry, which means they may inherit genes for curly hair from their African or European ancestors.
Curlier Hair Among Mexican Men
It’s not uncommon to see Mexican men with curly hair. In fact, it’s pretty common. In Mexico, curly hair is often seen as a sign of masculinity and machismo. Mexican men with curly hair are often considered more manly and masculine than their straight-haired counterparts.
This perception of curly-haired Mexican men as being more manly and masculine may be due in part to the fact that curly hair is often seen as being more wild and unruly than straight hair. The stereotype of the macho man often includes a man with curly hair.
While there are undoubtedly Mexican men with straight hair who are just as macho as their curly-haired counterparts, the perception that curly hair = macho man is pretty common in Mexico.
What is the percentage of Mexican men with curly hair? Curly-haired Mexican men comprise about 30% of the male population (though the percentage isn’t confirmed).
No Consensus on the Percentage of People with Curly Hair in Mexico
There is no one answer to this question since there is no consensus on the percentage of people with curly hair in Mexico. Some studies suggest that around 35% of Mexicans have curly hair, while others put the number closer to 50%.
Even within Mexico, there is a great deal of diversity regarding hair type. So, while it is common for Mexicans to have curly hair, there is no definitive answer as to how common it is.
Several factors can contribute to whether or not someone has curly hair. Ethnicity, climate, and ancestry are all important considerations when discussing Mexican ethnicity and hair type.
Mexicans who identify as white often have straight or wavy hair, while those who identify as Indigenous (or Indian) tend to have tightly curled hair which some experts call ethnic curls.
The ethnicities and ancestries most likely to have curly or wavy hair include Irish and Italian populations of Mexican origin.
Those whose ancestors’ origin is Spain, Portugal, and France may also have naturally curlier locks than their compatriots who identify primarily with other European roots such as Germanic or Scandinavian cultures.
No Scientific Evidence Why More Mexican Women Have Curly Hair Than Men
A recent study shows curly hair is more common among Mexican women than men. While the reason for this trend is unknown, a few theories could explain it. One approach is that curly hair is a result of mixed heritage.
Another theory suggests that curly hair is more resilient to Mexico’s hot, humid climate. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: Mexican women are rocking some serious curls! Is there any scientific explanation? No scientific evidence explains why more Mexican women have curly hair than men.
One thing seems inevitable: These gorgeous hairstyles look great on these ladies and inspire a lot of envy from other people who wish they had such incredible natural beauty!
Curl Hair and Stigmatization in Mexico
Curly hair is often seen as unprofessional or unattractive in Mexico. This stigmatization can be traced back to the country’s colonial past when Europeans imposed their standards of beauty on the indigenous population.
Today, some Mexican women straighten their hair to conform to Eurocentric beauty ideals. However, many women are embracing their natural hair texture and celebrating it as a symbol of cultural pride.
Curl Hair and the Term “Pelo Chinos” in Mexico
Curly hair is often seen as unruly, difficult to manage, and less attractive than straight hair. In Mexico, however, curly hair is relatively common among men and women. A word often used to describe someone with curly hair is ‘Pelo Chino,’ which means Chinese hair.
While there is no clear suggestion as to why this term exists, one theory is that it originated during the Qing Dynasty when Chinese immigrants came to Mexico. Whatever the word’s origins, it’s clear that Mexicans with curly hair are proud of their unique ‘Pelo Chino.’
The term Chino could also mean pigs. Pigs were essential to the Chinese because they provided food, fertilizer, clothing, and medicine. It was considered unlucky not to have a pig in your house; many homes would keep at least one pig to ward off bad luck.
Some people think that ‘Pelo Chinos’ may have come from the Pig Festival celebration on October 1st (Día de Los Muertos), where people wear masks of pigs’ heads to represent their ancestors who were born under the zodiac sign of boar or wild boar (chó). However, this has not been confirmed.
The Bottom Line
So, how common is it for Mexicans to have curly hair? While there is no definitive answer, it seems that a significant number of Mexicans do have curly hair. This is likely due to many Mexicans’ mixed heritage, as indigenous and European ancestry can contribute to curly hair. Whether you are Mexican or not, you are certainly not alone if you have curly hair!
Reference 1:https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/culture/diverse-curls-heres-a-photo-
Reference 2: https://virtualpsychcentre.com/meet-where-does-mexican-curly-hair-come-from/
