If a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering. Hair should be groomed and worn in a tasteful and attractive manner, as something that is a glory deserves special care and attention. Women are instructed to adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, focusing on good works rather than extravagant displays. Any length of hair is appropriate if it serves as a covering and remains feminine, and any style is proper as long as it is modest and reflects femininity.

In our egalitarian, politically correct society, educators and politicians have attempted to blur what they consider to be stereotypical gender roles. Hollywood has capitalized on this fascination with women and men swapping traditional roles, as seen in movies like G.I. Jane, where a woman excels as an elite Special Forces combat soldier, and in plots where a housewife assumes an executive CEO position while the husband becomes a dutiful Mister Mom. Female firefighters adapting to non-traditional roles have raised questions about equality of opportunity as their petite physiques struggled with heavy equipment. Women supervisors attempting to shatter the glass ceiling can sometimes become parodies by emulating traits they despise, mimicking assumed male characteristics like swaggering and bullying. God has characteristics that are considered both masculine and feminine, and our own bodies mirror this balance with reproductive glands producing hormones of both sexes. No one is entirely male or female, and together, men and women form a composite image of the living God. Individually, we are incomplete, and marriage is given as a God-plane relationship to learn from the traits of the opposite sex to become complete God-beings. Part of this process involves males incorporating Godlike feminine characteristics such as tenderness, mercy, and patience, while females adopt masculine characteristics like strength, assertiveness, and decisiveness. Feminine traits abundant in Scripture include beauty, grace, mercy, tenderness, caring, and affection. Both men and women need to incorporate these characteristics to qualify as members of God's Family. Motherly feelings and instincts come from God, as Jesus Christ expressed a motherly instinct in His desire to gather Jerusalem's children as a hen gathers her chicks. Daughters should occasionally be assertive and decisive, possessing deep inner strength to grow into their feminine role. Adult women must also learn to be assertive and decisive, as exemplified by the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 who wheels and deals in property and strengthens her arms. Many women in the church are take-charge ladies, assertive and decisive, yet their assertiveness does not detract from their femininity, adding instead a dimension of Godhood.

God has decreed that women should accede to the role of submission, which should be reflected in a feminine appearance and demeanor. A woman should wear her hair long enough to be recognized as feminine, as this shows her submission to the man. If a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, and she should pay particular attention to ensure it is properly groomed and styled to enhance her femininity. If a woman prays or prophesies while wearing her hair short like a man, she dishonors the man by not showing willingness to wear the symbol of submission to his authority. Wearing her hair short like a man is as dishonorable as if she had her head shaved. God intends a clear distinction between men and women in grooming and dress, and the length of one's hair is an important line of distinction. Our appearance and grooming are important to God at all times and in all situations, honoring the chain of authority He has established.