1. Barbers held in less esteem. For years barbers were held in very high esteem. History tells us that even in the barber-surgeon days they were highly respected. In the 60s & 70s young people did not want to get their hair cut, subsequently they did not like barbers or barber shops I don't think the barber has ever recovered from that area.
2. Barbers image. For some reason, people thought barbers could only cut hair short. I don't know how many time people would stop in and ask me if I cut hair short or if I left it long. If the barber had his hair cut short, the people who chose to were theirs long would not come in. If the barber had his hair long the people who like short hair styles would not come in.
3. Education. Many people think that cosmetology schools require more training then barber schools. The truth is (at least in my state) cosmetology is only 1,500 hours, with a very lax, one year apprenticeship. Many local colleges allow students to get about one half of their training while still in high school (mostly at the taxpayers expense). Our state barber students have to be at lest 18 years of age, and finished high school. The schools are all private and very costly. In most cases the students have to pay room and board. They must complete 2,000 hours and serve a two years apprenticeship program. I have had several young men ask me about barber training. They all seem to think that they can go somewhere for a thirty day course, and come back a barber. I can understand why they chose a cosmetology school.
4. Association. Cosmetology associations do a great job promoting their profession and family hair care. Barber associations don't even have a publication any more. Most local barber association are only interested in where the next Christmas party is going to be held.
5. Suppliers. Because beauty shops tend to buy more supplies, barbers get very little support from the suppliers. Have you tried to buy a man size hair cloth lately?
6. Signs of the times. There was a day when a man would not do any thing that would make him look feminine. Today men try to look like women, and women try to look like men. Many young men enjoy have the young ladies working on them.

Having said that, I have no malice toward the beauty shops. I have all the business that I can handle.

I have learnt one thing about people. You can not be all things to all people. I run my shop the way that I want to. I have had customers drive over 80 miles one way, to have me cut their hair. On the other hand, people next door wouldn't come in if my haircuts were free. In my years in business, I have seen many changes. Some of them I liked, some of them I didn't like. Speaking of changes, I love the computer age.