I get your point and I half agree.
I personally don't rock a beard (looks like too much work and maintanence for a start), but if I were to do so I would be the victim of ridicule from all the grumpy old working class people at my job and also from people in the circles I chill in socially.
So maybe, if I wanted a beard and grew one besides all of that, I would be super cool and brave in fashion or whatever.