How old is old enough for boys to shave?

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks everyone! You have basically verified what I already thought but figured I would take it to the "Experts"!! Yes, my son will be getting an electric razor for Christmas & his dad will just have to deal with the fact that his "little" boy is not so little anymore!!

Yep, you are in the right....

To be honest, the following were my thoughts to anyone who thinks that they have to weigh in and control/micromanage this kind of thing....

If he has noticable hair, he wants to shave, and it is HIS face...
Any elses opinion means Diddley Squat...

 

[Alex2kMommy]

When I was this age, there was a big line drawn between 6th grade (still a "child", playing on the playground and wearing socks) and 7th grade (junior high school, becoming a teenager, girls wearing make-up, shaving their legs and wearing pantihose.)

I don't recall when boys began shaving, most of them seemed pretty baby-faced in junior high. Well, except for the one 9th grader with the full beard and mustache... He really stuck out in the crowd.

I agree with everyone else, if he's complaining about it, let him shave. Maybe it itches him or he doesn't like how it looks, or maybe he's getting harassed by his friends. Regardless of the reason, he should be able to get rid of it if he wishes. Good on YOU, mom!

 

[Mrs.Toad]

If the hair is noticeable and bothering him - he is old enough to shave

Same criteria for boys and girls. I'm female and started shaving my legs and underarms at age 11. If I was mature enough to handle a regular razor at age 11, I'm sure your son is mature enough to use an electric razor at age 12.

The OP mentioned that her son is 5'11", which means that he IS mature enough to need to shave, as he's obviously entered his growth spurt.

good point.

Thanks everyone! You have basically verified what I already thought but figured I would take it to the "Experts"!! Yes, my son will be getting an electric razor for Christmas & his dad will just have to deal with the fact that his "little" boy is not so little anymore!!

good decision!

 

[candykisses]

If the hair is noticeable and bothering him - he is old enough to shave

I agree.

My sons were both in 7th grade when they started shaving. It was either that, or they would have looked like Gomez Adams!

 

[chager]

DS14 started shaving last year when remarks were made about his facial hair. He uses a regular razor not an electric one. The first couple of times he shaved at the sink, now he shaves in the shower.
My foster brother had to start shaving when he was really young. At 14 he decided he didn't want to shave and ended up with a full beard in just a couple weeks. He was a very hairy person! Now he is in his 30's and practically bald!! He often jokes around about it and says since he is getting older his hair from the top of his head is needed for his beard now.

 

[figment52]

If the hair is noticeable and bothering him - he is old enough to shave

ITA - it is the same as a girl shaving her legs, if the hair bothers her and she wants to, it's time.

 

[RUDisney]

I'm the one who made my DS start shaving when he was 12. I couldn't stand that fuzz under his nose any longer. It made his face look dirty.

So, I told my DH that it was time to teach him how to shave. He asked me to do it. I told him that I instructed our DD on shaving her legs, etc. It was up to him to teach our DS. I don't shave my face, and therefore am not qualified to teach him how to do it.

So, DH taught him and he can go for a couple weeks without needing to shave again.

Most of his friends don't shave yet. He thinks it's cool that he does.

 

[GothTink]

12 is not too young to shave. And if he's mentioning that it's annoying him, you should definitely get him a razor.

Also, hair does not grow in darker and coarser or more because of shaving. That's an old wives tale. http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/hairgrow.asp