http://www.news.uwa.edu.au/201503257429/research/beards-badges-honour
In a research journal about the ‘Badges’ of men and primates, we learn that flamboyant behavior among males is displayed in a way to attract possible mates. This can be applied to both heterosexual and homosexual men. The min idea is that, as humans, we are a lot closer to our distant cousins, the primates, than we might think. We wear flashy clothing, tight jeans, flannel shirts, and yes even beards to attract others to us. We do it for the attention. Hipsters aren’t the only ones who do this either. Men might wear tank tops to show of muscles, biker jackets to prove masculinity or gold chains to prove their wealth. In an increasingly populated society the need to stand out is stronger than ever. Men grow beards, just like monkeys, to display their attractiveness and to stand out. So does this mean that the grooming behavior we see in hipster males is nothing more than just basic instinct? Can it be attributed more to our genetics, more than it can be attributed to outside influences? What does this say about males in our society?
The beard acts as a badge that enhances male sexual attractiveness and increases the chances of finding a sexual partner, while giving them a better chance to stand out among a growing society. As a result terms like “Lumbersexuality” have become fairly popular online. Yes. It’s a thing. “Lumbersexuality” is a man who has adopted the styles and facial hair of a lumberjack. Usually this is done to attract females who find lumberjacks attractive. This is a thing because lumberjacks exude sexuality and masculinity. Think about it. Their colorful shirts, bulging muscles and their long beards. Now if related to the article, Lumbersexual is a result of a primitive desire to stand out when you’re surrounded by competition.
The article also explains that the busier and more crowded a community or society becomes, the more flamboyant the behavior becomes. Clothes start to become flashier and weirder to achieve a sort of peacock affect. Beards also become more stylized and outlandish in order to appear more attractive and groomed. Clean shaven men might be perceived as young and weak, while a beard is a symbol that holds more power and dominance, a trait female primates find attractive. Now I’m not saying all women like the whole macho beard look and think that they want a man who radiates power. Some women and men prefer different things. But overall it isn’t about what they desire, is it? It’s about what men who take this style assume these possible mates might be attracted to. Men might assume women like power and dominance, which is why they try to display it.