It’s moustache time. Movember kicks off this week as hordes of men throw down their razors to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, and prostate cancer in particular.
The onslaught of facial fuzz can be a bit of an eyesore – but that’s not what really concerns me about Movember. I can’t help but wonder if reinforcing very traditional ideas about masculinity and facial hair in the name of a good cause does more harm than good.
Movember is all about manly men – the manlier and hairier, the better. Guys who join the cause are dubbed “Mo Bros” and are encouraged to compete to become the “Ultimate Mo.” If you’re “facial follically challenged,” you can compete for the “Lame Mo” encouragement award. Not exactly the most flattering (or politically correct) title, is it?
Not to mention the irony that many men who’ve actually undergone prostate cancer treatment can no longer grow facial hair due to hormone therapy. This perceived loss of masculinity when it comes to hair growth along with other bodily functions is one of the greatest psychological struggles for prostate cancer survivors.
Studies show that black and Latino men often shy away from rectal exams that detect prostate cancer because they see the test as emasculating. How does a month-long event that reinforces hyper-masculinity help change this?
Men who can’t grow facial hair and women have little role to play in Movember other than donating and cheering on their moustached heroes. Mostly, the role of a “Mo Sista” is to continue having sex with men participating in the month, no matter how badly his ‘stache mangles her face. A Mo Sista is one of the cool girls who can drink and laugh along with the guys (see Amy Dunne’s “cool girl” speech in Gone Girl). God forbid a Mo Sista grows her own facial or body hair during No-Shave November.
While growing a moustache this month results in back slaps and toasts at the bar for white cisgender men, the same can’t be said for trans people and men of colour. Trans people don’t fit into Movember’s neat separation of the genders, and the ones with facial hair are unfortunately still more likely to get stares than high fives while walking down the street. Non-white men face racist stereotyping that casts them as suspicious or intimidating when they grow beards or moustaches.
Men’s health is undoubtedly a cause worthy of our support. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer and also the leading cause of death from cancer in Canadian men. There must be a more inclusive way to raise money and get the message across.
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