Nick1111

Hello,

I am 28 years old, and a father to my 3 year old son.

But I am here to ask a question regarding my younger, half-brother. He is 14 years old and will be 15 in November.

He is half-Cuban, so he got facial hair at a young age... probably 12 or 13. It's only on his upper lip with some light hair, not visible, on his chin.
(He says his friends call it a "Puerto Rican mustache" if that helps describe it ).
Anyways, he doesn't like it there. It's very noticeable and it doesn't look good against his pale face. He wants to shave it...
His mother (also my mother) says not to because he will have to shave it every day and it will be a hassle.
His father says he can shave it whenever he wants as long as he gets help from somebody the first time and that he's willing to keep up with it.

I agree with his father. I think whenever he's ready, as long as he wants to learn and then keep up with it, he should be able to do it.

He says some of his friends told him that they only have to shave every 2-3 days before it's that noticeable again.
How long will that last before it would have to be shaven about every day like a grown man has to do?

What do you all think of this, and how have you handled it with your children?

Music-dad

I shave about every 3 days, but mine grows slow, some guys can get a 5 o'clock shadow, before the end of the day.

If he doesn't like it, I'd say let him shave it.

jtee

Yeah this shouldn't be a big deal unless it is a culturual issue that i am not aware of.

Nick1111

Nothing cultural.

It's just a disagreement between the parents and my brother doesn't know what to do.
I guess they should just let him do it.

jtee

What doesn't he know what to do?

Claire64

I don't see anything wrong with him going ahead and shaving. My son started shaving just after he turned 14 and most of his friends started a little before that.

I would suggest that either you or your father buy him an electric razor. My husband and son use them and say that they're much easier than a plain razor and shaving cream.

musicmom

etceterae

Haha, waxing. Not many guys would dare admit that they do that, because it's commonly perceived as a womanly thing. But yes, it DOES help the hair disappear for longer.

Seriously, let the poor kid shave. If he doesn't want it, then he'll be fine with shaving it every two days or so. His parents' opinions are whack in this case.

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Music-dad

Although I see nothing wrong with electric shavers, I do not use them anymore, simply because it takes me about 15 mins to shave, compared to less than 5 minutes with cream and a blade, and it simply does a better job. The nair idea I personally would never do, nor have I ever known any guy who has (well, sorta) as a joke one time, we naired a buddy's 'stach, and it gave him the nastiest rash for weeks and weeks. I would suggest putting some on his arm first to see if there is any reaction, and follow directions properly. But I highly doubt, he'll choose this route.

Just let him shave, he's a guy...that's what we do.

meow_173

Well, as a female's persepective, i started shaving my legs at 13....no maybe 12.....i'm not sure. But the point was, my mom told me i could whenever i wanted too, but that i would then have to keep it up. I shave my legs every other day (in the summer...winter is a whole differetn story, i mean common you're not wearing skirts or shorts in the winter, so its covered up LOL) and my DH has to shave every other day because his facial hair comes in pretty quick.

SO i agree that he should beable to start whenever he wants too, and should probably have someone there....or maybe just get him a small electric razor?

just a quick question....why isn't his father showing him how too?

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