I've had a beard for over 30 years. My father never approved - when I asked why, he told me "Because their not natural !". One of the reasons that it never gets shaved off is that my facial hair grows so slowly that it takes several weeks before it is apparent that I'm growing a beard - rather than being too lazy to shave. I once lived with a lady whose mustache grew faster than mine !

I think the main reason that folkies grow beards is tied up with the fact that most of us tend to make our own minds up about issues rather accept the current popular (usually media/business proliferated) views. That's why we tend to go for folk rather than pop music in the first place. I notice a similiar percentage of beards when I boat on the canals - again probably a minority pastime.

Still, at my age a beard can hide a variety of chins !