Beard

:For another meaning of this word, see Beard (female companion)

Modern attitudes in America

From the 1920s to the 1960s, beards were virtually forbidden in mainstream America. The few men who wore beards during this period were either old, Central Europeans in academia, or part of the counterculture, such as the "beatniks". Even today there is some degree of prejudice against beards and against men who wear beards, although it is much less serious than it once was; beards are normally much more accepted in the Western world than they once were.

Related Topics:
1920s - 1960s - Beatnik

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It has been noted that there is a close and consistent association of long standing in American film between facial hair and role -- if one lead male character has more facial hair than another, he is far more likely to be the antagonist, and the man with less (or no) facial hair the protagonist.

Related Topics:
Film - Antagonist - Protagonist

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The enlistment of military recruits for World War I in 1914 precipitated a major migration of men from rural to urban locales. This was the largest such migration that had ever occurred in the United States up to that time. The rural lives of some of these bearded men included the "Saturday Night bath" as a reality rather than as a humourism. The sudden concentration of recruits in crowded army induction centers brought with it disease, including head lice. Remedial action was taken by immediately shaving the faces and cutting the hair of all inductees upon their arrival.

Related Topics:
World War I - 1914

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When the war concluded in 1918 the "Dough Boys" returned to a hero's welcome. During this time period the Film Industry was coming into its own and "going to the movies" became an extremely popular pastime. Due to the recent Armistice many of the films, for example All Quiet on the Western Front, had themes related to World War I. These popular films featured actors who portrayed soldiers with their clean shaven faces and "crew cuts".

Related Topics:
1918 - Dough Boys - Armistice - All Quiet on the Western Front - Crew cut

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Concurrently, "Madison Avenue's" psychological mass marketing was becoming prevalent. The Gillette Safety Razor Company was one of these marketers' early clients. These events conspired to popularize short hair and clean shaven faces as the only acceptable style for decades to come.

Related Topics:
Madison Avenue - Gillette - Razor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Today, for practical reasons (with some exceptions),

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

it is illegal for boxers to have beards.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~