Getting to Know Why Men Grow Hair

Sometimes it grows in spots, sometimes it doesn’t grow at all. As teenage boys walk the halls of THS, it isn’t hard to scope out the disparity of facial hair among these students. Facial hair can be seen as a nuisance that must be taken care of by some students, while it can be a sign of maturity and attractiveness for others. 

Year after year, female students debate whether facial hair is attractive. They give examples to support their opinion. Whether it be the old, hairy man who hasn’t shaved properly in decades, or a young, attractive movie star who has grown a new beard for a role in their latest movie, facial hair has a growing narrative behind its nature. 

Tenaciously Trimming Teachers

The teachers who choose to grow beards do so for many different reasons. Mr. Patrick Touart has a goatee because of the sense of maturity and wisdom with age that facial hair alludes to. When asked why he had his beard Mr. Touart said, “People who do not have beards are called women.”  Thaxton says he still has his beard because he doesn’t like to shave often and will keep his beard unless his loved ones say he have to shave it. Senor Colon has had his beard for the last two or three years. He has grown to respect his long, graying bearing as it signifies the changes a person encounters in their life. “Self acceptance was my main reason for growing my beard out. I remember when my beard first started growing gray, and I always shaved it. Now I embrace the fact that I’m aging and people say it looks good,” Colon recollects. Mr. Beard has a fu manchu that harkens back to the stylistic choices of the 70’s and 80’s. “I wanted to be original and do my own thing with my appearance,” Beard states. 

Females Favoring Follicles

There are many female teachers who have sons and husbands that also have prominent beards. Mrs. Watson’s husband and son both have long, well-groomed beards that they have moisturizers for.  They are self-proclaimed “beard enthusiasts” who pay great attention to their substantial stubble. Mrs. Hardy’s three sons all have some form of facial hair. Mrs. Hardy says, “my sons look very mature and distinguished with their beards.” Mrs. McGregor’s son, Mr. McGregor,  has had a beard since eighth grade. “I love my son’s beard, he wouldn’t look the same without it. Although, I do believe he would shave it if he had to.” McGregor claims.

Maturing with Age

Beards can be commonly seen upon the faces of many of the older students in the junior and senior classes. Beards show the progression of students through their high school career. Once a student has a full beard you expect them to graduate in the coming months; although, there are some exceptions to this idea. Senior Najaf Gill has had some form of facial hair since he was in eighth grade, which started with a mustache that turned into a goatee and later a full beard. Mr. Gill has now feels like his beard part of his look and doubts he would ever shave it off unless it was necessary for a job.

Some students prefer a mustache or goatee as a full beard is either unattainable or too much to manage from a maintenance standpoint. Beards can be seen as an accomplishment for those who feel like they’ve finally beaten puberty and moved on into adulthood.

Fresh Faced Freshmen

Freshman Braeden Barber says he currently doesn’t have a beard merely on the fact that he can’t grow one and hope to grow some sort of facial hair in the future. Freshman Daniel Gardner is currently growing a beard with a few scattered patches but nearly complete. 

Shaggy Sophomores

Jackson Boles has been without hair for his entire life, unlike his father who has been sporting his signature beard at THS for the entirety of his job. Joseph Gray has also had a beard since eighth grade and desires to keep it for at least the remainder of his high school career. 

Juxtaposing Juniors 

Jacob Harris began growing his beard at the end of his sophomore year after being told his facial hair didn’t look well. He currently has a full beard along with curly hair that he says goes well together. Zane White currently has a scarce amount of facial hair; however, aspires to have a larger amount in the future. 

Scruffy Seniors

Thomas Barker has been growing his beard before freshman year. He says he likes his beard because it makes him look older and people tend to take him more seriously with it. Brendan Lahti currently doesn’t have nay form of facial hair, even after four years of age and stress in high school. The reasoning behind his hairlessness is that “Having no hair is easier. I could grow a little goatee of something, but a clean face just feels right.”

Beardedness is a topic that evokes strong support and opposition to the trend. As young men grow and begin to make their decisions to keep or sheer their beard, they may do so for their own reasons.