I'm sorry to hear about that, Drummergirl. It's rather sad that people made you dislike your hair; cutting off 8 inches must have been somewhat traumatic. It's hard not to be susceptible to outside pressures when you're in your teens, but I hope you don't let anyone make you feel bad about your hair again. Its your hair, not theirs, and how you feel about is the most important. (((hugs)))

My parents have tried to guilt me into cutting my hair short countless times. They still do it.

But I have always known (and usually done) what was right for me, so I don't feel any "pressure" to give into their wishes.
    I also know that their opinions about hair come from what the media tells them: People with fine hair should wear it very short, no one past age 30 looks good with long or straight hair, highlights & colour are a must, etc.

The only thing they succeed in doing is degrading me for who I am & what I do, which is nothing new. I've always just sort of done my own thing & not worried whether it fit into anyone else's ideal. We can't all be Sex-And-The-City fashion victims, right? 

I think we've all had people make us feel that way, and sometimes it isn't "a person" so much as the fashion and fad culture.  I have toyed with short-long-short-long so many times.  Even decided in my 40's that I was now too old for long hair and it would be short for the rest of my life
Well, a few years later I decided that's a bunch of bunk -- especially after a few friends, older than I, grew at least BSL hair and look great. 
Some of us take longer than others to realize the pressure to conform is stupid

when i was in high school most of the girls had long hair. the pressure for them came with the stick straight look. some had beautiful curly hair, but were pressured to look a certain way to be considered "pretty". most started straighning their hair and only did it to fit in. even though it wasnt what they truly wanted. also they were afraid to be different. i told them its not about being different its about being you. good example my mother uses alot. if everyone jumps off the brooklyn bridge does that mean you should too?

at the end of the day its your hair. if you arnt happy with how it looks change it to what will make you happy not what will make everyone else happy. chances are they arnt happy with thier hair and are trying to use you to make themselves feel better.

in any case be strong and make sure when you make a decision about your hair its what you truly want.

take care