Attitudes towards men having beards have changed over the years - what are your thoughts?
They do seem more popular in recent years; however, it is probably due to the media having more 'rugged' characters in place of the clean cut image. Are you pro-beard?
In countries with colder climates, beards help protect the wearer's face from the elements.
Biology.
The beard develops during puberty. Beard growth is linked to stimulation of hair follicles in the area by dihydrotestosterone, which continues to affect beard growth after puberty. Dihydrotestostorone also promotes balding. Dihydrotestosterone is produced from testosterone, the levels of which vary with season. Beard growth rate is also genetic.
Biology Evolution.
Biologists characterize beards as a secondary sexual characteristic because they are unique to one sex, yet do not
. For example, testosterone is responsible for dominant, aggressive, and sexual behavior. Moreover, features such as a beard and a low voice (which also develop due to testosterone production) probably appeared for more successful competitive behavior among men, since men with a beard and low voice seem more dominant, aggressive, and look more high-status compared to clean shaven male faces and high voices, which means they are more likely to get a high status and increase their reproductive success. Studies have also found higher pre-