What Your Facial Hair Might Have to Do With How Sexist You Are
We’re not saying these bearded gentlemen are sexist; science is saying that. (Image via AP Photo/Keystone, Arno Balzarini)
A study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior found men with beards—or any other type of facial hair—were more likely to hold sexist attitudes. Australian researchers gave online surveys to more than 500 men between the ages of 18 and 72 from the US and India, Psychology Today reports.
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After controlling for everything from nationality to education level to sexual orientation, researchers found men with any type of facial hair scored “significantly higher” in hostile sexism. A hostile sexist would agree with statements such as “Women are inferior to men” and “Women want to keep men on a leash,” per Psychology Today.
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That’s opposed to a benevolent sexist, who would agree with statements such as “Women should be protected” and “Men should always pay for dinner.” Researchers found no connection between beards and benevolent sexism.
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Researcher Julian Oldmeadow theorizes “hostile sexist men” grow beards because of what they represent, the Independent reports. “Men holding more patriarchal views may be inclined to reinforce their masculinity and dominance by growing facial hair,” he says. Only one-third of respondents in the study didn’t express any sexist attitudes. (But how sexist are men who get a beard transplant?)
By Michael Harthorne
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This article originally appeared on Newser: Study: Men With Beards More Likely to Be Sexist
