Bearded men will just have to take it on the chin - they are, apparently, more sexist.
A study found that those with facial hair hold more hostile views about women than clean-shaven men. One theory is that beards give an air of masculinity, power and dominance.
Australian researchers quizzed more than 500 men aged 18 to 72 on 'hostile' sexism - derogatory patriarchal beliefs, such as that women try to keep men under the thumb in relationships - and well-intentioned 'benevolent' sexism, such as holding doors open.
After taking into account age, education, relationship status and other factors that might affect the decision to grow a beard, they found men with facial hair showed much higher levels of hostile sexism.
Researcher Julian Oldmeadow of the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, said: "Men holding more patriarchal views may be inclined to reinforce their masculinity and dominance by growing facial hair."
