Beard sporting and the future of young adults worldwide

Sometimes we are awakened to the realities of our very existence, even when we are not ready to face such realities. We begin to meditate on life. We begin to reflect on, for example, why most adult men these days decide to sport trendy beards? Could it be an inadvertent expression of vain gloriousness? Does sporting a beard portray the male chauvinism in them, their spirit of dominance? On the contrary, does it manifest a culture of laziness in the sense that they cannot shave clean? Why do most men nowadays generally prefer to sport beards more than they did before?

Some research fellows are of the opinion that sporting beards enables men to boost their confidence rating in public. A study on facial hair trends found that men with beards and moustaches increased as the number of marriage-age women decreased. In other words, when the number of single men is greater than women, more men grow beards. It is, however, difficult to presume that men who sport beards do so because women find them more attractive than clean-shaven baby-face males.

A number of factors seem to suggest that both men and women share the feeling that men who sport beards look older, stronger and more aggressive than non-bearded men. But hardly can that be said to be the reason women might be attracted to them. That notwithstanding, in recent years, the culture of young adults around the world sporting beards has become virtually ubiquitous. How did every young adult worldwide commit to sporting a beard? What actually happened that made every single young adult worldwide not only aware of this trend but also jump on board the wagon?

Years back, before the current trend that saw every young man in every nook and cranny of the universe sport a beard, young adults around the world were known as a disciplined lot who delightedly maintained their well shaven faces and were not in a hurry to impress the world with how mature they had suddenly become, so to say. Even at school, teachers made sure their students were properly clean-shaven.

Then, we woke up one morning to discover to our utter shock that every young adult in every part of every country of the world was now sporting a beard. We thought it was the new fashion among young adults. But wait. Who started the trend? How did the idea capture the interest and compulsion of young adults across the universe, with not even one youth left out? How did every single young adult come to adopt the culture of sporting a beard? Above all, what is the significance of the culture? What did it mean to young adults as the trend spread wildly worldwide, like an uncontrollable pandemic?

Historically, sporting a beard always held various meanings across cultures and times. In ancient civilizations, beards symbolised wisdom, power and virility. For instance, the Greeks and Romans associated beards with philosophers and gods. In contrast, during the early 20th century in Western history, being clean-shaven was seen as a mark of discipline and modernity. The post Second World war era significantly emphasised the values of well-groomed appearances, especially in professional and academic settings. The sudden and widespread resurgence of sporting beards among young adults worldwide obviously represents a departure from this recent historical trend. They have simply reverted to the valuing of individuality and self-expression and perhaps are up to some subtle rebellion against established norms.

We may not know it but the way and manner every young adult worldwide suddenly, even without questioning, came to embrace this new trend may hold the key to greater global ventures among today's youths in shaping the tomorrow of our universe. Is it not said that technology has turned the world into a global village?

The role social media played in spreading this culture cannot be underrated. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube enabled the rapid dissemination of this trend across the globe. Young adults with different backgrounds and from different countries shared and consumed the content at an unprecedented rate, creating a sense of global interconnectedness. The beard sporting culture, propagated through myriads of selfies, grooming tutorials and influencer endorsements, spread like wildfire as it tore through and transcended cultural and geographical boundaries. One of the key drivers of the beard sporting culture has been the influence of media and pop culture. Celebrities, athletes and media influencers have continued to play a pivotal role in popularizing the sporting of beards. Figures like David Beckham, Drake, and the members of various popular bands have kept showcasing beards as symbols of coolness and modern masculinity. Television shows like "Game of Thrones" and "Vikings," which feature prominent bearded characters, have also contributed to the trend.

Probably, the embrace of the culture of beard sporting by young adults worldwide can be better understood when viewed in the context of psychology and sociology. For many young adults, sporting a beard could symbolise a rite of passage, a way to assert their maturity and independence of self. In other words, it could have been a form of self-expression, a statement of personal identity in a world that often felt sandwiched by the mass media and the craze for globalization. Sporting beards among young adults worldwide may have also signified a return to traditional masculinity in an era where gender roles are becoming increasingly fluid and subject to debate.

Taking a cursory look at the current trend which has actually seen a dramatic rise in popularity worldwide, it is obvious that this culture represents more than just a fashion statement. In more ways that meet the ordinary eyes, the trend might be reflecting deeper socio-cultural shifts that could offer insights into the potential for global unity among the young adults of this world. As technology continues to shrink the world into a global village, the way young people adopt and propagate trends can provide the key to open the door of future possibilities for international cooperation and solidarity.

While the beard sporting culture looks general and simple, who knows if it is the harbinger of a profoundly significant tomorrow? The much we might be able to decipher from the culture so far is perhaps that it could be the symbol of both unity and diversity. Young adults around the world, despite their different backgrounds, have come to adopt this common trend, exploring and disseminating it as a shared global culture. At the same time, the way every single young adult classs and presents his beard reflects his unique identity and cultural influences. The quickness of the global spread of the beard trend demonstrates, to a reasonable extent, the potential for young adults worldwide to unite around common interests and values. This unity, encouraged by shared experiences and cultural practices, could pave the way for greater cooperation among youths worldwide in addressing global challenges, who can tell?

The youth, if they are able to organise themselves well could galvanize the social media, the entertainment industry and pop culture, the same channels that spread the beard trend, to harness and promote solidarity and collective action on issues like climate change, social justice, and technological innovation.

While the beard trend can lend its weight and capacity towards global unity, it also highlights the challenges that might be inherent in such a goal. For example, there is a possibility that cultural and political differences can impede efforts to nurture a global brotherhood of young adults. But, the widespread adoption of trends like beard sporting shows that these barriers can be overcome, at least in the realm of cultural expression. Technology, which enabled the rapid spread of the beard culture, can also be a powerful tool for promoting global cooperation among the youths of our time. Social media platforms, online communities, and digital communication tools can facilitate dialogue and collaboration among young adults worldwide. Initiatives that leverage these technologies to address global issues could be harnessed to result in the same viral potential that made the beard trend ubiquitous.

Educating young adults on global issues and the importance of international solidarity is crucial. Schools, universities, and online platforms can play a significant role in developing a sense of global citizenship. By highlighting the interconnectedness of the modern world and the shared challenges we face, educators can inspire the next generation to work together for the betterment of humanity.

The beard trend among young adults is indeed more than a fleeting fashion statement. It is a reflection of deeper social currents and the potential for global unity among youths. As technology continues to transform our world into a global village, the ability of young people to adopt new ideas and propagate cultural trends will demonstrate their capacity for interconnectedness and collective action. By leveraging this potential, we can hope to build a future where young adults worldwide work in unison to address the pressing challenges of our time, cultivating a global young adult brotherhood that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. The phenomenon of beard sporting offers a glimpse into the future of youth-led global cooperation. It underscores the power of cultural trends to unite people and the role of technology in shaping our collective experiences. As we look to the future, the spirit of solidarity embodied in the beard trend can inspire us to harness our shared humanity for the greater good, paving the way for a more inclusive, cooperative, and harmonious world.

* Asinugo is a London-based British-Nigerian veteran journalist, author and publisher of ROLU Business Magazine

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