Whats with the sudden fascination with beard?

31 Jan, 2016 - 00:01 0 Views
Whats with the sudden fascination with beard?

The Sunday News

lebron-james-beard-styles

Peter Matika

THERE is beard to the right of me; there is beard to the left. Oh and wait there’s beard right in front of me as well.

What’s the collective noun for a bunch of beard anyway?

Facial hair is considered as the symbol of machismo and masculinity since the dawn of man.

Moustache and beard both represent masculinity in all regions, religions, race and ages.

In fact facial hair play an important role in several religions like Islam and Apostolic Faith (amaPositoli).

Almost every man aspires to have a beard or moustache. Just like hairstyles, fashion has introduced hundreds of facial hairstyles.

Today there are various types of moustaches and various types of beard styles to the combo styles.

Since last year if memory serves me right, men have grown a particular interest in beard. They have been growing their facial hair to have stylish beard styles.

However, not every facial hairstyle has equal appeal and only a few has outshined and impressed many people generation after generation.

Fashion designers and hair stylists are trying to come up with a variety of hairstyles and beard styles.

Even though the goatee beard style (which I much prefer) was in fashion since the 15th century, who knew it would be renewed and made popular by one of my all-time favourite award winning actors, Johnny Depp, from his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean film series.

Anyway, I read that it has been scientifically proven that it is essential for men to grow a beard.

There are many reasons for growing a beard. One way to find out why men grow beards is to ask them.

So I managed to summarise some of the main reasons for growing a beard.

Below are extracts from various people with or growing beard.

The following list summarises several of the most frequent responses to the question — why are men growing beards all of a sudden?

1. I always wanted to grow a beard.

2. I wanted to see how I would look with a beard.

3. I like the way beards look.

4. I like the way beards look and feel.

5. I hate to shave.

6. I wanted to change my appearance.

7. I look better, more handsome, with a beard.

8. It is the manly thing to do.

9. I wanted to look older.

10. Growing a beard is a family tradition.

It is something that women cannot do, so I want them to envy men for the ability to grow beards.

I understand women don’t like beard, so who are men growing them for — and why?

The list of men in the limelight who now have full beards has skyrocketed. Top of the list are David Beckham, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp among a whole lot of famous people.

Celebrities such as these claim that growing a beard is a good way of hiding from the paparazzi, although I really think that’s as stupid as saying you are wearing sunglasses to hide from someone.

Anyway men are fascinated with big bushy beard, which I feel is for people that don’t work in an office.

Whatever it is that motivates men to grow their own, the trend does raise questions about what is happening to men in our culture ­ and why this sudden assertion of masculinity?

It seems no coincidence that beards are on the rise at a time when the world is seemingly struggling with recession.

A beard is a man’s armour, so says those that keep them and provides a visual display of physical strength and stature.

It is also a common way for men to hide their vulnerability. Men will often grow beards when they have suffered stress such as divorce or job loss.

Young men on the other hand tend to grow beards in order to look older and to give them gravitas.

There is also a growing phenomenon, where some women are rivaling men, especially in business, politics and the arts. But there is the new image of the “cougar”, the female equivalent of the playboy to contend with.

The tables have turned and the cougar preys on the “pretty boys” who become her toy boys or as we call them “oBen 10”.

No wonder that the clean shaven boys of the past are anxious to assert themselves as men.

Beards may also be a reaction to the fact that gender roles are not so clearly demarcated today.

When women continue to take over male roles in the workforce and men are increasingly taking over domestic and familial roles ­being stay-at-home dads — one way to establish male identity is to do it physically. And beards require no exercise.

Anyway that’s just me trying to protect the boys, but the question still remains, what’s the fascination with beard?

I guess it’s all about style.

Till next week let’s keep styling, link up with me via whatsapp 0772 337 433 or drop an email on [email protected]

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