To beard or not to beard, that is the question

For college student Joshua Nicholson, the beard is more than just facial hair. At the University of Michigan, Nicholson, a freshman, has been researching what facial hair means, both personally and culturally.

Growing up in a family where facial hair was commonplace, Nicholson seldom found himself clean-shaven after his formative years. His decision to cultivate a beard during high school was not a deliberate act of rebellion or adherence to any particular trend, but rather a natural progression influenced by his family surroundings. Nicholson's father, stepfather, and grandfathers all had beards, embedding the idea that facial hair was a standard of masculinity into his consciousness.

Nicholson's partner, initially unaccustomed to his facial hair, came to see it as an integral aspect of his identity. Despite the beginnings of his beard-growing journey, Nicholson realised that his facial hair had become part of the way he saw himself. Describing his beard as a key feature of his identity, Nicholson expressed discomfort at the notion of being without it.

Facial hair has historically been a symbol of masculinity and strength in Western culture. In the contemporary digital age, influential figures like Andrew Tate have appropriated beards as emblems of a certain brand of masculinity. Conservative political figures such as JD Vance and Ted Cruz have also been seen sporting beards.

However, Nicholson's narrative doesn't end there. It extends to the broader cultural and societal connotations of facial hair. For some, such as journalist Baynard Woods, a beard can symbolize conformity to heteronormative masculinity. In Woods' experience, shaving his beard after 20 years became an unshackling from the confines of a masculine identity that clashed with his 'queerness'.

Through Nicholson’s introspection, the beard becomes an emblem of the ongoing negotiation between his Queer identity and the conventional masculine ideal. The narrative takes on a broader significance when examining how facial hair functions within different subcultures. While beards are often linked with masculine archetypes on the political right, the mustache, in contrast, has been a powerful iconic feature within the gay community, particularly signifying nonconformity and individual identity.

Christopher Oldstone-Moore, an author known for his work Of Beards and Men, suggests that societal trends in facial hair often correlate with periods when masculinity is questioned and under examination. Nicholson’s own experience can be viewed through this lens, as he stands at the crossroads between traditional masculinity and his Queer identity, each often symbolised by different forms of facial hair.

Realising and acknowledging his bisexual identity, Nicholson finds himself part of a community where facial hair plays a dual role. It is a means of finding acceptance within heteronormative settings while also standing as a symbol against those same norms. If that makes sense.

Source: Noah Wire Services