Father's Day is about giving, but it's also about celebrating life's special moments with Dad. Grooming brand Wahl conducted research on the importance of one of those special moments on the journey to manhood—grooming. The findings suggest that the rite of passage of fathers teaching their sons to groom is not only alive and well, but growing in numbers and significance.
The study conducted by Wahl and Opinion Research Corporation among 500 adult men nationwide found half of all men learn to groom from their father or a father-like figure. Of those who received dad's grooming guidance, most remember it as an important moment in time. In fact, 88% of those who learned to groom from their father described it as a meaningful or bonding experience.
While the father-son grooming tradition is supported by half of all dads today, the study suggests more dads will be embracing this tradition in years to come. According to the research, nearly 90% of men without sons said that they would teach or are planning to teach their sons how to groom. Generationally speaking, nearly 100% of those in their 20s and 30s said they plan to carry on this tradition if and when they have sons.
Not only is father-son grooming trending up, it also appears to be evolving. In addition to teaching their sons how to shave, 62% of guys 18-24 said they learned how to trim their facial hair from their dad and 40% learned how to cut their own hair from dad. This full-course grooming regimen reflects the growing number of guys who sport facial hair today and the rising number of men who own and use hair clippers.
"Our research confirms what we hoped to be true—that the time-honored tradition of fathers teaching their sons to groom is not only still happening today, but it hasn't lost its meaning," said Steven Yde, marketing director for Wahl Clipper Corporation. "As a manufacturer of men's grooming tools, we appreciate that the products we make not only serve the utilitarian needs of those trying to get through the morning routine, but something much more meaningful and special."
