Why do women grow beards?
As another bearded lady took to our TV screens this week, Katy Brand has a look back those hirsute women in times gone by and those still striking out today with their significant facial growth.
4:03PM BST 11 Apr 2013
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Unwanted hair: the scourge of the modern woman. But how should we define ‘unwanted’? In fact, WHO defines ‘unwanted’? To be smooth of leg, armpit, chin and undercarriage is certainly the current fashion, but there are murmurings of a backlash, or back-sack-and-crack-lash, if you prefer.
For as German-born Mariam took to the This Morning sofa, earlier this week, sporting a fine pair of whiskers and proclaiming herself a willing target for Cupid’s arrow, the eyes of the nation were once again turned to take in the full glory of a bearded lady in her unashamedly natural state.
Beards for women have, historically, mostly been consigned to the world of entertainment – a freak show attraction to amuse and delight – and indeed, Mariam does travel with a circus, something she says she enjoys as it gives her a chance to educate the public about hairy women.
One of Mariam’s most famous predecessors was Josephine Clofullia, who lived from 1827 to 1875 and toured with P.T. Barnum’s ‘American Museum’. Her beard measured six inches, and she even shaped it in imitation of Napolean III, from whom she later received a diamond by way of thanks, so she certainly was not an abused, marginalised figure. She married and gave birth to two children, who were also quite hirsute.
Then there was Lady Olga, who lived around the turn of the 20th century, and also travelled with a circus. Her chin appendage was 13 inches long, and she married four times. It is not known to science whether the length of the lady beard has any direct correlation to the number of marriages, but Mariam’s is, by comparison, fairly modest and so perhaps just one true love awaits her. He will certainly be in for a good time, as the German says she has “never felt sexier”.
For a more up to date hairy lady, look no further than Jennifer Miller, who is still living and working in the US, combining hirsutism with juggling and fire-eating – she has, apparently, yet to singe her beard, which is indeed testament to her skills. She campaigns to raise awareness and was the subject of a documentary entitled Juggling Gender, for which she has won several awards.
And so Mariam is part of a rich tradition of bearded ladies, of which she is rightfully proud. It’s been a while since Julia Roberts sparked outrage and (rather hilariously) concern by appearing at a film premiere with unshaven armpits, but the current porn-industry led culture for baby-smooth women has possibly peaked. Indeed there were reports only last week that men’s tastes are evolving (or regressing, depending on how far back you can remember) and the preferred bikini area look is now decidedly ‘natural’, with many describing the absence of any hair as ‘creepy’.
The going gets tuft: Hollywood star Julia Roberts obviously has no qualms about her au naturel looks
However, it’s unlikely that the full bearded look will catch on anytime soon – women will keep plucking, electrolysing, waxing and shaving so as to appear acceptable to the consensus view. But it’s nice to be reminded every so often that there is another way. The Victorian freak show has now passed into history as a bastion of bad taste, but that doesn’t mean we necessarily have to throw the beard out with the bath wate
