There are some very interesting facts about natural red heads that have actually been scientifically proven. One of the most surprising facts about red heads is that they are more common than natural blondes. One out of every thirty three people born is actually natural red heads. 13% of all Scots are born with red hair and 10% of all Irish are born with red hair.
In the US the incidence of natural red heads is a bit lower with a rousing 2%-5% of the population being able to claim their locks as naturally acquired.
There is of course plenty of fiction that is associated with a redhead’s personality. Some of the things that people think make up a red heads personality traits are all relevant to their fiery mane. Bad temper, hot headed, quick to act, bold, brash are all qualities that are blamed on being red headed when the reality is none of those traits are proven to be exclusively a redhead thing.
Provable Traits
While the fiery personality theory is not necessarily proven it has been proven that red headed females have more sex than their blonde and brunette counterparts! Fiery personality? Maybe! According to research conducted by the Hamburg Research Institute in Germany that looked at the sexual activity of hundreds of women the conclusion was clear that redheads were having more sex than any other hair color group.
Of course there are several reasons why it is that red heads seemingly have more fun than the blondes or brunettes in Germany. Red hair is associated with youth, passion and it is seen as a rarity which makes partners more attracted to red heads.
Red heads are often accused of having quick tempers. That fiery temper may actually be intolerance to pain. Science has shown that people with red hair need about 20% more anesthesia than people with other hair colors. The tolerance to pain is lower in people with red hair.
No one knows why the tolerance is lower but it has been proven in many different studies that if you are red headed you are more sensitive to pain. This could be where the rumor about the temper surfaced. Perhaps that copper colored hair is a sure sign to beware if there is a headache roaming around.
It is not only a lower pain threshold that may shape the red heads personality but it is also a higher resistance to pain quelling medication that can also be the culprit for that temper. Being in pain and not being able to find relief would surely put anyone in a bad mood.
Another factor that many people overlook that can contribute to the myth of the redheaded temper is that there is an unusual amount of teasing that is bestowed upon those that have red hair. Can you imagine walking up to a brunette and saying something like poop head? Every redhead has at least once in their lifetime been called carrot top.
There are endless questions about freckles, or “where did you get that hair from?” and a litany of inappropriate comments that can easily raise anyone’s temper.
Redheads depending on where in the world you live can either be considered “rare beauties” which bolsters the “mysterious” personality trait that is often associated with them or “pale and odd looking” which bolsters the “bad temper don’t fool with them” personality trait belief. For example in the US redheads are looked upon as rarities which heighten interest in them.
In England the term “ginger” is used to single out redheads and to mock them. In both places a redheaded woman or man is like a blonde or a brunette some are of bad temper some are not. Some are open books some are not.
Lefty?
Redheads are more likely to be left handed than any other hair color. Red hair is a recessive gene as is being left handed (so the scientist claim). Apparently recessive genes travel in pairs because there are more left handed red heads than there are any other left handed brunettes or blondes.
There is nothing that can predict one’s personality by their hair color. There is stereotyping, there is misconceptions, there is old wives tales but there is no hard science that can prove that a red headed person will have any particular personality trait.
Personality traits are relative to genetics and how one is raised not the color of one’s hair.
On The Upside
There are certainly a few bonuses to being a redhead. The rarest color combinations in the world are red hair and blue eyes! Redheads utilize vitamin D from the sun far more efficiently than any other color hair group.
There is nothing wrong with being unique and being viewed as having a fiery temper it helps to keep people in line.