2 Reasons Men Should Shave Their Beard

 Beards are not a new thing.

They have been celebrated by most cultures around the world. You may go to any historical museum or see old paintings of men, and most have burly beards and choppy sideburns that would get the average business man today fired. Men today oh and ah over the manliness of these manly men with manly beards.

So what's wrong with the beard?

Yeah, you're right. Nothing is wrong with beards.

Rather, it is an ideology that goes along with having a beard that I am concerned with.

There has been a recent resurgence of facial hair growth. It has been happening mainly among hipsters and younger men for a few years. Recently with Duck Dynasty, I am personally beginning to see more older men growing their beards out now. So across the board there is more and more men growing beards out?

Why?

Let me restate this: there is nothing wrong with beards. I grow mine out periodically. Beards are fine, but are they only a fashion statement or more than that?

Some men, I am afraid, find their identity in their beards. 

So, here are my two reasons men should shave their beards off.

1. To prove that you are a man and a beard is not what defines that fact.

Some men think having a beard makes them a man.

I believe this because I am picked on almost every time I shave my face clean. I know the jokes are only that, but they are spurred on by something. I would not receive jokes about having a clean face unless there was not something telling these other men that beards are a sign of masculinity.

God defines masculinity and no where in the Bible does it say that in order to be a man, you must have facial hair. (Side note: the command in Leviticus to not shave the beard or edges of the hair was strictly for ceremonial purposes and not defining masculinity).

2. To prove that you are more interesting than your beard.

Everyone I know that has a beastly beard get compliments on it all the time. They love the attention and it's a conversation piece. "Man, how long has it taken you to grow that out?" "Do you hide animals in that thing?" "How do you get a job with it?"

Some guys simply think it makes them cool. 

No. What you look like doesn't make you cool or interesting. Are more than just beard deep?

What's your personality like? If you think your personality is defined by how much hair you have on your face, then you have no personality.

Are beards bad? Of course not! Should you find your identity in them? Absolutely not. I challenge then men who have not shaven in a very long time to go baby-faced. For the simple fact of proving to yourself and the world that you can be an interesting, masculine man without it. 

After you shave it, then let the beardfest begin again! Because then you will know that you have a beard, not that the beard has you.