A man should have a beard.
A man’s lack of a beard is a childish public apology for his masculinity. As such, I believe it’s a contemptible and unnatural, effeminate affectation. It’s an indication of the degree to which a man is willing to deny his fundamental nature and and participate in a lie.
I’m thinking about this today after having seen this post on the Mr. Porter site (link via). No, I don’t give a hoot about popular fashion trends regarding beards, but fashion—like a broken analog clock—is right every once in a while. I’ve worn a beard since 1992. Back then, few men I knew sported chin whiskers. In the 90′s beards were not in vogue and popular culture was not at all in love with the bearded look.
A beard, however, is not a look; it’s compulsory for a sexually-mature man. Sure, there are plenty of reasons a man will be asked or required to shave his beard and none of them have anything to do with what is substantive, natural, truthful, or honorable. These sorts of ideas, pressures, or requirements are just a part of the unfortunate social conspiracy to neuter and androgynize men (or simply a shallow man’s misguided effort to appear and become more effeminate). He who participates displays an unfortunate lack of character.
If you’re a man, look and act like it. Do not join the sad legion of lackbeards who look and behave like girls; leaving only a lack of tits to suggest their distinction from women in the crowd. These are not men. These are boys playing at fitting into a culture that demands they be other than, less than they are.
If you’re a man, wear a beard. It’s fundamental.
* * *
p.s. I note that all the men at my agency wear beards, but that is not because of any company policy. It’s just that we only hire men of character.
A man’s lack of a beard is a childish public apology for his masculinity. As such, I believe it’s a contemptible and unnatural, effeminate affectation. It’s an indication of the degree to which a man is willing to deny his fundamental nature and and participate in a lie.
I’m thinking about this today after having seen this post on the Mr. Porter site (link via). No, I don’t give a hoot about popular fashion trends regarding beards, but fashion—like a broken analog clock—is right every once in a while. I’ve worn a beard since 1992. Back then, few men I knew sported chin whiskers. In the 90′s beards were not in vogue and popular culture was not at all in love with the bearded look.
A beard, however, is not a look; it’s compulsory for a sexually-mature man. Sure, there are plenty of reasons a man will be asked or required to shave his beard and none of them have anything to do with what is substantive, natural, truthful, or honorable. These sorts of ideas, pressures, or requirements are just a part of the unfortunate social conspiracy to neuter and androgynize men (or simply a shallow man’s misguided effort to appear and become more effeminate). He who participates displays an unfortunate lack of character.
If you’re a man, look and act like it. Do not join the sad legion of lackbeards who look and behave like girls; leaving only a lack of tits to suggest their distinction from women in the crowd. These are not men. These are boys playing at fitting into a culture that demands they be other than, less than they are.
If you’re a man, wear a beard. It’s fundamental.
* * *
p.s. I note that all the men at my agency wear beards, but that is not because of any company policy. It’s just that we only hire men of character.
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