David Patts, a professor of anthropology and psychology at Pennsylvania State University, has examined the role of beards in displaying men's power and social maturity. This topic has always attracted researchers' attention throughout history and across different cultures. Charles Darwin previously compared men's beards to the flamboyant tail of a peacock, believing that facial hair evolved to attract the opposite sex. However, new research findings present a different picture.
Research and Its Findings
A study conducted in 2012 examined European and Polynesian women. These groups evaluated men's faces in both clean-shaven and bearded states, and the results showed that in neither group were bearded men rated as more attractive than clean-shaven men. These results, along with other studies, indicate that sexual attractiveness cannot be the main reason for the evolution of beards.
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Beards and Displaying Power
However, beards have other effects. In the same study, both women and men rated bearded men as "older and having a higher social status" compared to clean-shaven men. David Patts believes that beards can showcase men's sexual maturity and power by making the lower part of the face appear larger. According to this view, beards historically helped men gain an advantage in social competitions and mate selection.
Historical evidence also shows that beards became more popular during times when the number of single men exceeded that of women. This indicates increased competition among men for finding a partner. Additionally, scientists believe that facial hair can act as a "natural armor" for the jaw, reducing the impact of blows to the face.
However, this hypothesis is not yet definitive, and studies conducted on UFC competitions have shown that having a beard does not reduce the likelihood of being knocked out. Overall, the existing evidence supports the idea that beards have helped display men's power, maturity, and social status throughout human evolution.
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