Why Do Most Young Men Have Facial Hair These Days?

[Dantheman98]

Most young men and even quite a few middle aged men these days have facial hair whether it be long or short. Most young women around my age say they love facial hair on men. Growing up as a kid, I don’t remember many men having facial hair, most were clean shaven. My dad and both my grandads have always shaved every day, as do I. My mum and both my grandmothers both say they can’t stand beards on men. Why are they so popular now and why do young women love them so much? Thanks

[tonyav]

One word explains 'Fashion'.

[pixie374]

It is fashion, and men and women obviously have different preferences. Facial hair, is very male though... so it isn't surprising if a lot of straight women like it.

[Dantheman98]

Pixie- why is it do you think that a lot of older women such as my mother and grandmothers don’t like it?

[tonyav]

It wasn't the fashion back then, Dantheman.

[Buenchico]

An excellent analysis from Aunty Beeb, I think:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1xfl5TG2zTnpBmXDlPMb92g/the-six-reasons-beards-are-everywhere

[pixie374]

Hygiene seems a lot of reason, Dan. Rightly or not. My personal view is... women often go with how hairy their dad was, as "normal". I really don't like hairless chests on men.

[Arksided]

I think for Women it’s whatever tickles their fancy.

I’m a bit past the ‘I’m a hipster look’ 50.

Personally I’ve always preferred to being clean shaven since the stubble look went all those many moons ago.

[pixie374]

Just thinking about it further- I think in the older days, where women were more financially reliant on men, being "clean" shaven, short hair, wearing a uniform or suit- probably did suggest a more responsible or reliable kind of job.
Nowadays, that isn't needed, but genuineness and honesty are more valued.

[Arksided]

Ahh so that’s why they hide behind a beard.

[pastafreak]

I'm of the older generation...and I've always preferred facial hair...and longer hair...on men. It was the style for many young men when I was in my 20s, so its a look I still prefer. My father had a moustache, so facial hair never seemed odd to me.

[pixie374]

I don't understand, arky? I don't think trustworthiness is anywhere near as related to a beard/ barbarian as it used to be. People are just more realistic, I think.

[douglas9401]

Laziness and spending all their cash on cocaine is how hairy young men are so prevalent.

Get yourself sober and have a wash you mink!

[pixie374]

Mine too, pasta- but it still seems more masculine.

[tonyav]

My mom gave me a shave many many moons ago I was 19 if my memory serves me well, I was off work sick with the flu ( and I mean the flu not a cold ) I had been in bed. Sooo I had 3 days worth of stubble and my mom hated that ( thought it was scruffy ), so she decided that she was going to give me a shave with the shaving foam and my ( at the time ) safety razor. I could have done with a blood transfusion when she had finished I had half a ( torn up in little pieces ) toilet roll stuck over all of the little cuts and nicks that she had caused ! First thing that I did when I was fit again was go and buy an electric razor.

[albaqwerty]

Of my 2 sons, one has a wonderful beard, I call him Viking :-)
(He works in Banking, face to face with customers)
Other son is clean shaven and occasionally grows a goatee thing, but seems the facial hair gene went to his brother
Wouldn't really call either of them followers of fashion either.

Also, there;s so much more men can do with their beards if they wish, I'm sure there's a company which makes beads and ornamental thingies to weave into the beard.

[jno]

they can be a work of art, alba

https://tinyurl.com/5aanvh42

[Mozz71]

I've had a goatee for the best part of 25 years. I shaved it off out of curiousity earlier this year. My face immediately put on 10 pounds. I grew it back quickly.

[barry1010]

Douglas, most facial hair I see is very high maintenance, far easier and cheaper to be clean shaven

[Barsel]

Never saw my dad with any facial hair even when he was in the army, my Mum thought men who didn't shave were lazy and looked scruffy.
These days, some men look ok with a bit of facial hair if it's well kept.

[davebro]

I had a neat beard all my working life. A weekly trim & no bother about shaving every day. Now I'm retired I shave every 2 or 3 days. Not bothered what others think or what the current fashion is.