In Western culture, beards on men haven't been popular for a long time. Facial hair is looked down upon. The act of shaving is seen as an expression of caring for ones personal hygiene and wanting to look respectable. When I was growing up my mum used to tell me that men who had beards had something to hide (ie. they were not to be trusted). And I guess this idea that a man is less for not "taking care" of his facial hair has been projected upon and hence taken up by other cultures, unfortunately.
Today, I see in my culture that facial hair on men seems to be restricted to a couple of groups: older men seem to be entitled to a short trimmed beard no problems. Younger men (less than say 55) are stereotyped as low-life sorts, druggies, bikers, etc. For example, I encourage my husband to grow his facial hair although he is not a Sikh, and he's been approached by people on the street either trying to buy or sell weed! That might be due to his tattoos though... haha. It is acceptable to grow a beard if you're going to be acting in a play, and once the play is over, you are highly praised by your wife and co-workers for removing it (saw it recently - co-worker was in an Easter play, I was sad when he shaved it off, now he looks like a wuss!).
I talk about Sikhi with some coworkers (all Westerners) and they all cringe at kesh, and some are as bold as to say they see beards as dirty - food and dead skin gets trapped in them. All I can do is sigh and say it depends on the care you put into it.
There is a Western tradition of keep the head hair short (I don't think Christian men are allowed to grow their hair long, they have to keep it short, because long hair is for women only but don't quote me cos I don't have a source for it, I just heard it somewhere on my travels). Look at the military, for example.
When it comes to the world having not shed the Gentleman's image but for women it's different... I think the priority in the West is for the woman to make herself attractive. Perhaps she looks (or thinks she looks) more attractive with a short hair cut. We have the feminists and lesbians to thank for it to be socially acceptable for women to cut their hair super short, which I think has only been acceptable recently (last few decades). Whereas men are "supposed" to keep their hair short and utilitarian. Their hair is seen to have no purpose, I think.
Having said that, I think Western popular culture is softening to men's hairstyles. You don't have to have a crew cut anymore!
As for men's fashion... I haven't given it much thought, really. It is very funny at my Gurdwara wher 98% on women wear salwar kameez, but only 5% of men (usually the granthis / gyani jis) will wear.. um.. traditional male dress (sorry don't know what it's called!). The rest of the men are in slacks and shirts, or jeans and t-shirts (depending on their age).
I don't know much about men's fashion trends... I never thought men would be unhappy with the "societal norm" of dress in the West, but that is simply ignorance on my part.
What do the other sardar jis here think?
