More men at NIU should give facial hair a chance.

The beard has an interesting and glorious past. It was considered a symbol of strength and masculinity throughout ancient history. This great heritage continued among many noblemen of medieval Europe until beards went out of fashion in the 17th century. Peter the Great of Russia went as far as commanding the Russian aristocracy to shave their beards and levied a tax on those who would not.

In America, the beard became popular again in the 19th century, most notably on Abraham Lincoln and Civil War generals. The trend was reversed during WWI, and beards became a rarity until the 1960s. In the ‘60s, it was the hippies and beatniks that brought facial hair back into style.

In recent years, there has been a slight increase in men with facial hair and beards. This can partially be attributed to the reintroduction of various ’70s era trends in the fashion world.

The biggest problem facing possible beard growers is the women who find them unattractive. To reverse this distaste, beards must infiltrate the mainstream. For this to happen, more men must try on a beard.

Around NIU there are many clean-shaven men who have great beard-growing potential. These men are not taking advantage of what many others wish they could do. They owe it to themselves to try growing a beard.

The first rule of growing a beard is to grow what you can. The only way to grow a good beard is to have good genetics. Some can grow a beard during adolescence and others not until their late 20s. Still others will never be physically capable to grow a decent set of whiskers. If your beard turns out to be nothing but patchy clumps of facial hair you may not be ready. If certain parts of your beard come in better than others, keeping only the good parts is an option. You may opt for a mustache and sideburns, a shortly trimmed strip beard, or something more creative. Your beard is the physical characteristic you have most control over.

College is the perfect time to experiment in facial hair growth. Many college students are at an age when beard growth is feasible. Since the standards for formality and appearance are at an all-time low on college campuses, very few peers or professors will care if you have unsightly beard growth for a few days or weeks. Having this growth may not be a practical option after graduation when entering a professional environment.

You may discover you like how you look with a beard or facial hair. The beard can add both age and masculinity. Having one may mean getting carded less when you go out on the town. If your beard is a failure, it is a relatively painless procedure to remove it. If it is a success, you will be taking part in an age-old tradition. In the words of Psychologist Robert J. Pellegrini: ” … the male beard communicates an heroic image of the independent, sturdy and resourceful pioneer, ready, willing and able to do manly things.”

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.