Bearded Men 'May Be Hostile Sexists'

Bearded men will just have to take it on the chin - they are, apparently, more sexist. A study found that men who sported facial hair hold more hostile views towards women.

One theory is that beards give them an air of masculinity, power, and dominance.The link will come as a surprise to the thousands of hipsters – young, urban professions who have carefully cultivated lumberjack-style beards to affect an earthy look.

The Australian researchers quizzed more than men aged 18 to 72 on levels of hostile and benevolent sexism and then investigated whether there were differences between the clean shaven and those with facial hair - stubble, moustachioed, goateed, or bearded.

Hostile sexism was defined as having derogatory patriarchal views, such as holding the view that most women interpret innocent remarks as being sexist and believing that once a woman gets a man to commit to him, she will try to keep him under her thumb.

Benevolent sexism is well-intentioned and involves helping and protecting women by holding open doors or insisting on paying for dinner, rather than splitting the bill.While some may see this as chivalrous, it is argued it is damaging because it reinforces the idea that women are the weaker sex.

Overall, around seven out of ten men had some sort of facial hair.Just a third were classed as not being sexist.

After taking into account age, education, relationship status, and other factors the researchers that might affect a men's decision to grow a beard, the researchers found that men with facial hair had much higher levels of hostile sexism than clean-shaven men.

Researcher Julian Oldmeadow of the Swinbourne University of Technology, said: “Facial hair may appeal to hostile sexist men because it maximises facial masculinity and augments perceived dominance. Men holding more patriarchal views may be inclined to reinforce their masculinity and dominance by growing facial hair.”

Writing in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior (CORR), he said another explanation lies in the actions of testosterone.

Men with beards tend to have higher levels of the hormone and it is known to fuel aggression.Finally, it may be that men are treated as being more macho after growing a beard and feel they have to live up to the expectations.

The study of men from the US and India didn't find any link between facial hair and benevolent sexism.Previous research has found that men with beards are more likely to cheat on their partner, steal or get into fights.

Plus, women don't find them terribly attractive, saying they prefer stubble to a full-grown beard.But there is some good news for gents who are fond of their facial hair – having a beard commands respect, particularly from other males.