No Shave November is upon us. Let the patchy beards and grimy moustaches begin!
What originally started as a trend to increase awareness about Prostate cancer has developed into a large-scale trend, with men of all ages attempting their own month of no shaving.
“I think it’s cool that every year guys get together and decide for a whole month they won’t shave. It’s awesome that it raises awareness for Prostate cancer, as well,” said freshman Holden Hill.
“For me, it’s a personal challenge. But for a lot of guys it’s just an excuse not to shave for a month.”
While many dream of the lumberjack beards they want to grow, Hill, a veteran of “No Shave,” began his No Shave November with realistic goals.
“I just want to make it a whole month without shaving,” he said. “For me, it is hard to resist shaving. I’m not exactly the best at growing facial. It’s kind of patchy. In the past I have given up and had to shave because it looked stupid.”
Freshman Paul Hayley’s No Shave November began as a challenge from his friends. Contrary to popular belief, he doesn’t believe it will affect his chances with women.
But girls like freshman Tara Bereche, don’t see the appeal. “It’s not hot. It can get too overgrown.”
Hill’s girlfriend is so against his No Shave November, she has threatened to participate herself. “I’m really hoping that doesn’t happen,” Hill said. “That would be pretty unfortunate. Hopefully she won’t go to that kind of extreme.”
Junior Ginni Jones, however, is taking it to the “extreme.”
She described it as less of a feminist statement and more of a personal challenge to the gender norms of society.
Jones said she has been met with much discouragement.
“Everyone always answered with ‘ew,’ ‘gross’ or ‘why?’ But I want to do it just to see how hard it is to break out of this regularity,” she said.
Jones believes her No Shave November will be an important learning experience.
“I think it will be challenging, but I think that it will help me learn some things about myself, like just how much I perform my gender on a day-to-day basis, which isn’t something that I think about often.
“I hope that I’m able to last all month and that by doing so I can change the way I think about the gendered double standards and stereotypes that exist all around me,” she added.
Hill has high hopes for this year’s No Shave November.
“I hope it’s different this year. Most of the time I kind of look like a 13-year-old with my lack of ability to grow facial hair,” he said.
“I don’t think, unfortunately, I can pull off the lumberjack look. But I wish I could.”
To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.
