 Many Native American men wore long hair before the arrival of western influences on their culture . ( In Cherokee legends , for example , males said to be handsome were often described as having " long hair almost to the ground " or similar formulas . ) . Both men and women of these cultures have frequently struggled to maintain their tradition but have faced heavy opposition . Many consider it a sign of giving in to western influences to have their hair cut . Early American settlers saw long @-@ haired , native men as rebelling against their civilized society . Mountain men and trappers who adopted the customs were also considered amoral , and often identified by their long hair . Since the cultural movements of the Sixties and Seventies , however , Native Americans have felt less pressure to have short hair , as different movements have defended their cultural rights . For example , several states have loosened prison regulations , allowing Native Americans to wear long hair during incarceration , along with other cultural allowances . There has been resistance to these changes , however , as long hair is sometimes used to hide drugs , as well as to identify with a gang . 
