Do Men’s Beards Define their Masculinity?
Numerous things can be attributed to facial hair. Some people view it as an itchy, patchy annoyance that they work hard to get rid of every day. Others base their entire clothing and personality on one physical characteristic. Other also define men’s masculinity by it
In particular, the beard is regarded as a symbol of manhood and is essential for anyone who wishes to be truly male. Does this opinion reflect reality, or are individuals who have the good fortune to be able to grow beards overselling them?
The Effect of Beards on Mental Health
Over the years, scientists have done a lot of research on beards. One of the most recent studies shows an interesting fact: men are psychologically more likely to like the look of a beard on their faces, but the opposite is true when asked about this feature in other men.
While 57% of women prefer facial hair to fully shaved cheeks in a spouse, the scales are only slightly shifted in favour of beards for women.
In a way, this suggests that men value beards more than women do and that platonic male relationship more so than romantic heterosexual ones are affected by their link with masculinity and power.
The Reality of Daily Life
When talking about masculinity and beards, it’s also important to remember that beards are a very situational fashion accessory.
While a wild, scruffy beard could be acceptable for outdoor enthusiasts, you must carefully manage and preserve it in a professional setting. Thin, untidy beards may not look good to both potential employers and love interests.
The Historical and Geographical Disparities
Because beards are still popular among celebrities and are seen as the standard in the Western world, in particular, we might conceive of them as a current emblem of masculinity. But it’s important to put this in perspective in terms of the regional and historical variations in attitudes toward facial hair.
For instance, female respondents tend to prefer clean-shaven male faces in many regions of Eastern Europe, although the converse is true in nations like the UK.
In this way, a beard’s relative masculinity is based on cultural norms and expectations, rather than being a universal sign of manliness, power, and sex appeal that can’t be changed.
Similar peaks and valleys may be seen in the popularity of beards throughout the 20th century, let alone throughout the rest of history.
Through much of this age, clean-shaven men were considerably more prevalent, and beards have just really started to come back in the post-millennium period.
Then there is the issue of the alternate facial hair trends that come and go. Flash-in-the-pan fads and longer-lasting fashions, from sideburns to moustaches and beyond, are more about blending in with the crowd than actually enhancing your masculinity.
Present Vs Past
Similar to the 1850s, today’s gender insecurity flares up during times of peace when more antiquated definitions of manliness become obsolete. War was not available as a global definition of masculine purpose back then, as it is today. It was also limited and far away. The idea of being athletic was relatively new in the 1850s. Sports have spread so widely in our time that they are starting to lose their unique relationship with masculinity. It has proven difficult to enforce the distinction between masculine and feminine, much more so than in the 1850s. Male domains like politics, economics, athletics, war, and even masculinity itself are no longer uncontested. Whether or not they have undergone surgery, people who were born female are claiming to be men. Others claim they are neither male nor female at all. Some men have done an amazing job navigating this uncertain atmosphere. David Beckham publicly embraces his “feminine,” style-conscious side while still always shaving his beard to make him look more manly. He can effectively physically represent modern manliness with facial hair.
Men of every region, colour, class and political belief are once again growing beards to proclaim the truth of manhood and their own manly identities, much as they did in the 1850s. While there is less faith that nature has bestowed on males any special qualities or rank, it may be sufficient for the majority to merely prove that they are men, whatever that may entail. A bearded man today exhibits both the masculine fragility and pride of his 19th-century ancestors. He puts on a strong face although his status is in doubt.
The Basic Truth
There is no getting past the reality that studies usually discover that men with beards are viewed as more aggressive and manly than their colleagues who keep their faces clean.Applying these generalisations to the specific decisions you make daily may not always be beneficial.
Conclusion
Go ahead and grow a beard if you enjoy how you appear with one and can properly care for and maintain it. Also remember it is based majorly on your genes, and trying too hard if you can’t grow one can in turn cause you harm. It is also wring to think that you’ll suddenly start to attract women or become so scary-looking that thieves and troublemakers will stay away from you. If you grow it, groom it, and if you don’t, keep clean