1980s: With the opening to the outside world and the steady improvement in standards of living in the late 1970s and 1980s, Chinese women again attach great importance to their hairstyles. They begin to put waves and curls into their hair, and some even have permanents.

Today: Chinese women can wear their hair in whatever style they like, give it the color they prefer, wear a wig, or even have their heads shaved. Most Chinese women style their hair because they want to improve the quality of their lives and show respect for themselves.

1980s: Asian/Pacific Americans, according to the United States Census Bureau, number 3.5 million, or 1.5 percent of the total U.S. population, double the 1970 figure.

Today: In 1999, Asian/Pacific Americans, according to the United States Census Bureau, number almost 11 million, or 4 percent of the total U.S. population.

1980s: In 1982, Chinese-American...