Throughout history, society’s views on facial hair for men have ebbed and flowed. While beards were very popular in ancient times and during certain periods such as the Victorian era, clean-shaven faces became the norm during other decades. More recently, beards have made a strong comeback in pop culture and trends. But does growing a beard truly impact how attractive or handsome a man is perceived? Let’s take a deeper look at the ongoing relationship between beauty standards and the question of whether men should have a beard or be clean-shaven.
The Psychology Behind Attraction to Bearded Men
Science has shown us that there are underlying evolutionary reasons why certain traits are seen as attractive by potential partners. Beauty and Barbe BladeStudies indicate that beards may signal several qualities that were advantageous for our male ancestors and which some women still find appealing today on a subconscious level. A full beard, for instance, provides visual cues of higher testosterone levels and maturity. It also accentuates a man’s jawline, making his face appear more symmetrical. Both symmetry and signs of high hormone levels are traits that have historically indicated good genetic fitness to potential mates.
On top of biological instincts, cultural beauty standards also shape our views. In some modern contexts, beards help project masculine traits like authority, experience, and dominance – attributes prized by many straight women. Studies also link bearded faces with perceptions of higher social status, even when status is unrelated to actual facial hair. Simply having more facial hair makes some men appear more successful and socially established than their clean-shaven peers.
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