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Bearded Bro,

You make some excellent points. I, too see the beard as a masculine trait. That being said I have found in this thread the importance of being clear and defining exactly what I mean. Firstly, I think you rightly point out that a beard's masculine quality does not completely define its wearer as masculine. This makes complete sense. I think the best way to think about masculinity/femininity is as a spectrum ranging from the extremely masculine to the extremely feminine. Let's start with physical traits. Some examples of masculine traits are: male genitalia, more pronounced body hair (chest hair etc.) broader shoulders, deeper voice, larger chin & forehead, and of course facial hair. On the female side we have: female genitalia, less body hair, a more curvy shape, breasts, higher voice, smaller chin and forehead and of course little facial hair. These examples are fairly straightforward and the point is that each person male and female alike embody different traits some more masculine and some more feminine. Men tend to fall to the masculine side and women to the feminine side. I think what has been suggested by many on this board is that the beard is one of the most masculine traits because it is almost exclusively to the masculine side as breasts are to the feminine side. That makes sense to me as well. I think the other perspective to remember, however, is that ultimately masculinity or femininity is the whole package: the culmination of all of these traits. This also makes complete sense, and thus, I think that there really isn't a debate about whether a beard is masculine or not, but how it fits into and works with all of the other traits.

Secondly, there are other attributes associated with masculinity/femininity that are based on attitudes and ways of acting. This is where things get tricky because societal influences are always present. For example, men are seen to be more assertive/aggressive/violent, less emotional, more rational/logical, and less able to express themselves. The female side goes in the opposite direction. Once again we are looking at a spectrum, and attributes that are shared between the sexes, but they are far more abstract and more easily influenced by society. Furthermore, even measuring such things is difficult. Strictly speaking what has been referred to earlier in this thread as feminization or the emasculation of the male would be society promoting the feminine side of the spectrum over the masculine. I think the problem that this causes is once again to suggest that feminine is better than masculine or to incite the reverse reaction. If we really want to be free of this sort of argument it is best to simply acknowledge the entire spectrum in all of its masculine and feminine glory. Society will always have judgments and something to say; what is important is being true to oneself. I think this sentiment is what LightEagle had in mind when he started this post and in a sense we have come full circle.

I think that we are often at our best when masculine and feminine come together. Take this board for example. Here we have a community of men promoting a very masculine endeavour, growing a beard. However, in doing so, we are effectively communicating and expressing ourselves personally and emotionally in ways that have tended to be defined as more feminine. Men are not traditionally known for personal communication, and for sharing feelings but you only have to read a few posts around here to know that a big beard is no hindrance to that. In fact, it seems to promote it. Kind of funny.

Time to climb down off of my virtual soap box.