In the past, women have defeated a variety of stereotypes: they do the cooking, they stay home and care for the kids, etc. Apparently, though, one stereotype they have yet to over come is the one saying they must have long, feminine hairstyles.

Last August, former Disney Channel star Miley Cyrus chopped off her long, wavy brown locks. To the dismay of many, she now sports a short, bleached hairstyle with the sides of her head shaven. Although I’ve read and heard some positive comments about her do, the majority of these comments have been negative and judgmental. Each time the media captures and publishes a new picture of Miley, I read the same thing over and over: “Her hair is so ugly,” “She looks like a boy,” or “How does Liam (her fiancé) still find her pretty?”

While her old hairstyle was beautiful and worthy of being featured in a Garnier commercial, people should respect her decision to wear her hair this way. Shorter, more masculine hairstyles among women have become increasingly common over the years. It’s unfair for people to make rude remarks to a young woman whose short hair is just a form of self expression. In fact, any woman should be able to rock short hair simply because she likes it, a form of self expression or not. Besides, society doesn’t really judge men for having long hair (well, as long as they wash it). Why must there be a double standard?

Looking at pictures, it’s obvious that Miley exudes self-confidence and is loving her short do. Once someone does something that makes them feel happier in their own skin, then let them be happy.