Conclusion

Whatever the reason may be, Jews throughout the ages have been extra vigilant in the mitzvah of peyos harosh. In this essay we have endeavored to outline the halachic requirements, customs, and in some cases leniencies to guide people in varying social settings and circumstances. Regardless of the specific style, the idea of the peyos distinguishing the Jew from society at large is a message well worth internalizing as we engage in the constant struggle of balancing our unique world view with the necessity of being productive members of the society within which we live.

Recommend an excellent guide: “The Pocket Halacha Series: The Halachos of Haircuts” by Rabbi A. Wiesenfeld