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Moustache Vs Beard

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On the subject of whether it is better for a man to be clean shaven or to maintain a beard and moustache, let's consider a quote from Shakespeare. In Much Ado About Nothing Beatrice states: "He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man."

In general, this seems to be the predominant attitude among those who believe that there is a strong reason, even an ordained directive, governing the wearing of facial hair on men. On the weaker side is the contrast argument that women wear makeup, therefore men wear beards. It's an attribute that makes a man masculine as opposed to effeminate. On the stronger side is the ordained directive argument that the beard is an integral part of the male body as created by God and therefore should be maintained and respected. The more modern argument is that a man can be with or without a beard, depending on fashion and circumstances, without compromising his masculinity. …show more content…

On the other hand, bearded men have also been ascribed negative attributes such as filthiness, crudeness, or eccentric behavior.

During the 18th century, throughout Western Europe, America, and Russia, beards fell out of vogue. The nobility and the upper classes especially were clean shaven. Peter the Great of Russia even ordered men to shave off their beards and levied a tax on beards to discourage them. However, during the Napoleonic era and the Victorian era, beards returned strongly. The typical Victorian figure is one of a stern male with a black overcoat and a thick beard or long sideburns.

Before Abraham Lincoln no prior President had a beard. Lincoln looked distinguished with his full beard, and nearly every President from Lincoln through William Howard Taft had a beard or moustache. Since President Taft in 1913 no President has worn any facial hair at

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