A young boy named Laceson from San Diego, California had a humorous reaction upon seeing his dad, Quiyon, without a beard for the first time. His mother, Ashleigh Young, captured this momentous event on camera.

Beards are significant in children’s perceptions of their fathers. A University of Queensland study, involving around 500 participants, found that children as young as two see bearded men as older, stronger, and more masculine. However, they generally prefer clean-shaven faces, choosing them as the ‘best’ appearance.

Children with bearded fathers usually have a more favorable view of facial hair, indicating that familiarity influences their perceptions of beards. This may explain Laceson’s reaction to his father’s shaven appearance. Young stated that her husband’s decision to shave wasn’t personal; it was necessary due to military regulations. “He is in the Navy, and regulations about facial hair and medical shaving waivers prompted him to shave,” Young shared.

Young anticipated Laceson’s astonishment, as he hadn’t seen his father without a beard. Having seen other children’s reactions to their fathers shaving, she expected it to be amusing. She was ready to capture the moment with her camera. “I knew his facial expression would be funny, but the sounds and comments he made were even more amusing,” she said.

The moment, shared under the TikTok handle @ashleighmarie.x0, has gathered over a million views. In the video, Laceson emerges from a room, visibly surprised by his father’s changed appearance. He exclaims, “What’s wrong with your face?” eliciting laughter from his parents. Despite the explanations, Laceson persists in asking, “What’s wrong with it?” and, “What’s wrong with your beard?” Upon learning his dad shaved it off, Laceson asks, “Why is it gone? Why did you shave it off?”

Though initially shocked, Laceson is gradually adapting to the change, as noted by Young. “He’s getting more accustomed to it daily but still makes funny remarks like, ‘Look, he has no beard,'” she said.

It seems Laceson will have to adjust to his dad’s new look for now, as Quiyon intends to keep his current appearance. “For now, he’s not planning on growing it back,” Young stated.

For further information on this story, contact Newsweek editors Marc Vargas and Gray R. Thomas.