Pogonophobia

The term pogonophobia is derived from the Greek words pogon (πώγων) for "beard" and phobos (φόβος) for "fear."^[1]

David Smith's 1851 publication of The Covenanter of the Reformed Presbyterian Church describes the Jesuits of Baden as suffering "a veritable pogonophobia at the sight of a democratic chin."^[2]

The term is generally meant to be taken in a jocular vein.^[1] In the 1920s, psychologist John B. Watson was able to condition this fear in a young boy by means of classical conditioning methods.^[3]

In August 2013, Christopher Oldstone-Moore, history lecturer at Wright State University in Ohio, and author of The Beard Movement in Victorian Britain^[4] commented, "Facial hair for the past century has been thought to reflect a suspicious streak of individuality and defiance... Politicians, public servants and businessmen – and apparently journalists – risk their reputations if they abandon the razor."^[5]

Some relationship to "beardism" – discrimination based on facial hair – is claimed, and a difference in cultures is noted.^[6] Some association with claims of unhygienic beards (e.g., among homeless men) and fashion preferences of women. That various religious groups treat beards more or less reverently is also a factor, for example in Judaism and in Islam. Similarly, some groups require beards and forbid shaving, which has an effect on that society's norms and perceptions.^[7]

In August 2013, Jeremy Paxman accused his employers of pogonophobia after he was criticized in many newspapers and social networking sites for presenting the BBC's current-affairs programme Newsnight whilst sporting a beard.^[8] Paxman said: "Unless you're lucky enough to be Uncle Albert on Only Fools and Horses, Demis Roussos or Abu Hamza, the BBC is generally as pogonophobic as the late-lamented Albanian dictator, Enver Hoxha."^[9] He later wrote: "The thing is, I don’t normally like beards," and noting how he'd become a "poster-boy" for the Beard Liberation Front, Paxman lamented that he was "finding it quite a heavy burden".^[10]

Former BBC Radio 4 and World Service broadcaster Robin Lustig, previously winner of "Beard of the Year", also described the BBC as pogonophobic.^[11] Danny Baker of BBC Radio 5 Live disagreed and stated that: "I really do not think Jeremy Paxman should be granted a beard. It's corrupt. Disney had it right. Hey BBC – no news beards."^[1][11] Baker's remark about Disney is a reference to that company's long-standing ban on employees wearing beards, which was lifted in 2012 nearly sixty years after its introduction.^[12]

• Fear the Beard, a chant used by sports fans in support of a bearded sportsperson