Comments made by Vafa Rzayeva, who appeared as an expert on a television program, have sparked widespread discussion on social media after an informal video recorded following the broadcast began circulating online.
In the video—filmed casually after the “Çıxış yolu” program—Rzayeva criticizes boys wearing long hair, describing it as a “sign of trauma” and claiming that such an appearance could prevent them from “developing as men” in the future. She also states that “a man should have a masculine style and image,” emphasizing that she does not support this look.
Since 2023, Vafa Rzayeva has been serving as Head of the Department for Work with Vulnerable Groups at the Azerbaijan Women’s Republic Society Public Union.
The video was later shared across various platforms. Some channels presenting themselves as education-focused published it under the headline “Boys with long hair cannot develop as men!” Meanwhile, the website azxeber.com shared the video with the headline “Do you agree with these views?”
It should be noted that the founder of azxeber.com, Hajibey Heydarli, has previously drawn public attention for expressing queerphobic views.
Amid these discussions, a contrasting perspective had been voiced earlier this year. In February, during the “Qapqara” program, singer Samir Bagirov shared a different view on the concept of “manhood”. As a guest of host Kamran Agabalayev, he stated that “manhood” should not be defined by outward appearance.
Bagirov noted during the program that “manhood is not something tied to the body, it depends on the soul,” adding that a person’s clothing, behavior, or physical traits do not determine this concept.
Both statements have brought renewed attention to ongoing debates around gender roles, masculinity, and freedom of self-expression in the public sphere.
Commenting on the issue, psychologist Maharram Jafarzadeh emphasized that linking a child’s psychological development to hair length or physical appearance has no scientific basis. According to him, such views are rooted in outdated stereotypes and can negatively affect a child’s development.
“A child’s development is shaped not by appearance, but by emotional maturity and social environment. Hair is simply an aesthetic choice,” he said.
Amid the ongoing discussions, experts are calling on media platforms and public figures to approach sensitive topics more responsibly and to rely on evidence-based perspectives.
