The sport of hair cutting has taken a big leap forward recently, with a growing number of men shaving off their kids’ beards.
But the idea of having a beard on one’s child may not be a thing that’s in the cards just yet.
According to a new report by the International Barber Association (IAA), shaving off a child’s hair could actually be considered a bad idea.
The International Barber’s Association (IBA) has published a report on grooming and child grooming that paints a disturbing picture of how men are grooming their children in recent years.
The report, titled ‘What the experts think’, suggests that the current state of child grooming in Australia could be the result of ‘shaving off the beard’.
It also reveals that some men are even shaving off facial hair as a ‘treat’.
The IBA report, published by The Australian, is an in-depth analysis of grooming trends in Australia, with some of the key findings including:The report also reveals how the grooming industry is taking a step backwards in Australia.
“In many instances, the hair is being cut in an inappropriate manner, leading to infection, scarring and potentially scarring,” it states.
In one case in particular, a man was arrested for allegedly grooming his daughter’s beard with razor blades.
After he was found guilty, the court ordered the man to pay a fine of $1,000, while the man’s daughter was ordered to undergo hair removal and a full beard and nose job.
Despite the high-profile case, the IBA says it is not the first time a man has been convicted of grooming a child, and the issue is not as well-recognised in Australia as in the US.
IBA spokesperson, Matt McQuaid, told the ABC that grooming in general is a crime in Australia and that grooming is considered a child abuse offence.
“There is a stigma associated with grooming, and I think that’s a real concern for people to understand and to talk about,” he said.
“In terms of what’s happened to [the] Australian government’s attitude to grooming and grooming in particular in the last 12 months, there is a lot of work that needs to be done.”
But not everyone is on board with grooming laws.
Dr Stephen Williams, a paediatrician at the University of NSW, told ABC Radio Melbourne the issue of grooming in children is not being addressed.
He said he has seen the issue with children being groomed in the United States.
“[The issue] is that we’ve seen children being abused by adult men and women, so there are two different kinds of grooming that happen, and it’s not the kind of grooming we’re talking about here in Australia,” he explained.
Williams also pointed out that the Australian Government’s grooming policy has been criticised for not focusing on children.
We’re still doing a poor job at it.
For example, in a survey of more than 20,000 Australians, 76 per cent said they were concerned about grooming in the home, compared to just 17 per cent in 2013, according to a report by The Conversation.
But the IAA also warns that men are being groomers as a way to get their children’s attention, rather than to give them attention.
As a result, the report points out, some men may choose to groom their children for attention rather than their own.
And while grooming laws are being tightened in the country, they’re not the only laws that need to be tightened, the article states.
Dr Williams said the IPA’s report is an important one and it is something that he hopes will inspire men to take action on grooming in their homes.
If you or someone you know needs help with grooming issues, call the helpline on 1800 789 788 or email helplines@aica.org.au.