November: for the thoughtful and unshaven

By Taylor Tobin, Staff Writer tobint16@up.edu

Driving monster trucks, chopping down trees, jokingly punching friends in the hallway-let's be real, punching anything- men are always trying to prove their manliness. November gives them an excuse to do that.

No-Shave November is a tradition that gives men the opportunity to grow out the hair on their face for everyone to see.

Freshman Hunter Garcia was already sporting a full beard and mustache before November hit, but he encouraged others to go for it as well.

"I think it brings out a new element of manliness that has been dormant within them," Garcia said. "It brings it out onto their face where everyone can see."

No-Shave November is also known as Movemeber. Movember represents a global movement for men's health awareness, specifically the awareness and fundraising for prostate and testicular cancer.

In November 2011, over 854,000 people around the world took part in the Movember movement, raising $126.3 million.

One person taking part in the Movember movement at UP is senior Logan Mathews.

"Last year my roommate PJ [Marcello] and I were introduced to it through one of our friends. Since then, it's grown a lot," Mathews said. "I remember doing it last year and a fair amount of people were doing it. Some people had heard of it, but it was still a novelty in America."

The movement originated in Australia, but has since moved its way into the American spotlight. Many celebrities are joining the Movember movement to help raise awareness for prostate cancer.

"They had it on 'The Office' two weeks ago. It's got a lot of attention this year. [My roommate and I] were lucky to hear about it from a friend," Mathews said. "I think at this point people are trying to get the word out about it and get it as much exposure as possible."

However, many people who do not shave for the month are unaware of the Movember movement and that not shaving not only makes them "manly," but also raises awareness for a good cause.

"Whenever anybody asks me about it, I try to make sure they know it's to raise money for prostate cancer, but it's also fun, and it's something that guys get to do to express themselves," Mathews said. "Not a lot of guys grow facial hair normally, so it's kind of an excuse to do that and have fun with it."

Freshman Owen Dayton notes that he has been told that November is men's health awareness month, but he has other reasons for participating as well.

"I'm doing it because I don't really like shaving that much, and I like growing a beard," Dayton said.

Freshman Cody Fischer also participated in the monthly festivities because he does not enjoy shaving.

"It gives me a reason not to work in the morning. It's just one more thing I don't need to do," Fischer said. "I also do it for spirit, you know, its just part of the month."

Many college-aged men are just becoming able to grow a beard, or are one the verge.

"I've seen some people where it grows really well, and then there's that one area where it's just not growing at all," freshman Aaron Carney said.

Carney himself is participating in No-Shave November because his roommate convinced him to for at least the first ten days.

"I was just like 'Good lord, I'm not going to shave for ten days,' but after ten days I was like, 'I'm going to do this right. I'm going to go to the end of month,'" Carney said.

Freshman Trevor Curran says this is the first year he is able to grow a "kind-of" beard, and therefore, he is also participating in No-Shave November. Curran adds that there is a downside to No-Shave November.

"Growing a beard is the most annoying thing on the planet," Curran said. "I don't know why anyone would willingly grow a beard other than for No-Shave November."

Carney jokingly admits feeling a bit uncomfortable with a beard.

"Its unimaginably painful! No, I'm just joking," Carney said. "It just itches because I'm used to shaving pretty much every day."