Dearest Serene

Hey dear,
About your question, just a quick reply. I don't think the passage means we should always be covering our heads when we pray or we should be punishing women who don't by shaving their heads. Paul was giving instructions on public worship in that chapter and specifically addressing the issue of the posture of women in worship. Background: The city of Corinth is a wealthy trading center and it was known throughout the Roman world as a wicked city. Because the church in Corinth was new, it was hard for the Christians there not to act like their neighbours; consequently the church was having some problems.
Hence, paul wrote this reply to rectify some erroneous thinking in the church. In this case is the women in the church of Corinth was possibly taking over the role of men in church leadership and reversing God's order of the men as the head of household and as leaders in the church. It is possible to assume too that given this culture in the Corinthian church, the women maybe putting down the men in the community and not supporting them or raising them to take on the role God has given them.
Therefore Paul had to lay down clear rules for the women to cultivate a culture of gentleness and submissiveness to the men in their midst, so that they will be a people who will honour God and be a light to the warped culture in their city.

There maybe other views to this issue so I encourage you to read up since you are really interested. And listen to the Holy Spirit as you read so you will know and understand God's heart and intention behind Paul's writings.
I think I will read up in my life application and see if I can also give you a more eloquent answer to your question.
Anyway, found this on the net: http://christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-f003.html
Hope this is helpful for you :)

Jasmine :D