• If it looks like a beard and smells like a beard, it's probably a beard
Only the most learned and revered men have sported beards: Abraham Lincoln, Aristotle, Leonardo Da Vinci and, of course, Johnny Depp. Though these icons have given beards a boost, facial hair has not always been seen in a positive light.
Children's stories often portray male villains with facial hair. Kids learn to fear characters like Jafar from "Aladdin" and Captain Hook from "Peter Pan." These characters, who constantly curl their mustaches and stroke their goatees, can convey negative images about facial hair.
But the ever-resilient beard and its facial-hair friends are making a comeback. According to "One Thousand Beards: A Cultural History of Facial Hair" by Allan Peterkin, before the 20th century, class, religious beliefs and occupational status were the deciding factors of who could have a beard.
Now, the men genetically gifted enough to grow facial hair have many choices available to them.
In 1996, Steve "Beardguy" Wilson created Beards.org, a Web site designed to "promote beards in a positive light" and give men information on growing facial hair.
Wilson says beards have grown in popularity since the site's debut. "I get a sense that more guys are feeling empowered to express their masculinity by growing beards," Wilson says in an e-mail.
The classic beard is becoming more popular among young men, but many tend to go with a goatee when experimenting with facial hair, he says. "The Lincoln-style
chin curtain is also making a strong showing these days," Wilson adds.
Of course, not all inspiration for facial hair dates back to the 1800s. "I prefer either the 'few days stubble,' or a neatly trimmed goatee," says Joel Terry, a psychology junior.
But other students like more coverage. Bioscience freshman Keivon Hobeheidar says he prefers full-coverage. "Not too long though," he says. "Enough to catch the cool winterbreeze as it touches my face, ever so softly."
While there are pros to having facial hair, there is always a downside to all good things. "The negatives would have to be keeping it nice and somewhat tidy," says Patrick Caravello, a computer engineering sophomore who pairs a goatee with sideburns to form "goatee burns."
Despite the potential negatives, "Beardguy" Wilson insists growing a beard at least once is essential for all men. "Almost always, the growth process becomes a journey of self-discovery," Wilson says. "It builds confidence. If a man never grows a beard, he will never know what he is missing."
