Muslim teen supposed to have beard?

I publicly prounounced Shahadah at 5 years old. I've tried to be a good Muslim follower all my life; I'm 17 and starting to grow facial hair. I've been fighting with my father who says I should have a full beard b/c that is how God wants a man to look. I have a goatee but I'm wary of long full facial hair because I see people treating my father differently b/c some Americans are prejudiced against Muslims. Should I have full beard or does Allah even care?