Why do women shave their legs?
If you hate doing it as much as I do, you’ve probably wondered the same thing yourself. It’s fucking stupid. I only do it when suckered into it or when feeling particularly insecure. The information below is interesting. Enjoy.
From The Straight Dope:
I knew if I procrastinated long enough on this often-asked question somebody would eventually do the legwork for me. Sure enough, Pete Cook of Chicago has sent me a 1982 article from the Journal of American Culture by Christine Hope bearing the grand title “Caucasian Female Body Hair and American Culture.”
The gist of the article is that U.S. women were browbeaten into shaving underarm hair by a sustained marketing assault that began in 1915. (Leg hair came later.)
The aim of what Hope calls the Great Underarm Campaign was to inform American womanhood of a problem that till then it didn’t know it had, namely unsightly underarm hair.
For the remainder of the piece, which I assure you is very interesting, click the link above.
… and here’s a fun site to browse, if the mood strikes you:
Beauty and Hygiene Advertisements from the 1920’s to the 1950’s
phonelesscord said,
June 21, 2007 @ 8:59 pm
yikes! it’s so interesting to ponder what’s behind these ideas (”fancy ladies must have bald bodies!”) that we can sometimes take for granted.
i really do find underarm hair gross - the only proposition i can think of that appeals to both my aesthetic and feminist sensibilities is that men and women should all shave their armpits but nobody should shave their legs.
when i am in charge…
gingermiss said,
June 22, 2007 @ 7:09 am
If people want to shave, or if they don’t, I feel like they should be able to without feeling bad about it.
What I truly dislike are the people who abhor women who do not shave and act as though said women shouldn’t be allowed in public without wearing a full body suit. Or men who look like mountain creatures criticizing women who don’t shave their legs. Pot. Kettle. Black.
Anonymous said,
July 31, 2007 @ 7:41 pm
I have to say: a woman who doesn’t shave her legs is like a man who showers only once a month. Go figure. There’s just something very masculine about body hair and leg hair in particular. Of course women should pretty much do what they want; but I personally would never get in bed with a woman who doesnt shave both her legs and her armpits.
Jennifer H. said,
July 31, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
I have given into societies demands that women shave there armpits, but I only do so in the summer. I miss the hair and find that I sweat more without it. I have not shaved my legs for about 5 years and the bush just gets trimmed. I feel strongly that people should have a choice. In the large spectrum of it all it is minimal compared to all of lifes issues. I pointed out to my boyfriend that this is the way I feel comfortable and I like to look at my hairy self in the mirror. He has came to an understanding and appreciates me. I except that he shaves his chest, it is an interesting compromise. I want to start a group of women who are proud not to shave and teach young women that they have an option. Hairy women can be sexy. I hope someone wakes up and opens up from my thoughts.
gingermiss said,
August 1, 2007 @ 12:50 am
A lot of us have. I have been openly criticized for having leg/underarm hair and I hate it. It’s so fucking pompous and self-obsessed to say that to someone else. Sometimes I feel resolute enough to deal with the criticism; sometimes I don’t.
harpdoobie said,
November 2, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
Ginger, Jennifer, Women of of the world….
Unite! Don’t let our shameless society beat you into submission. The act of removing hair is an act of outright submission. It’s the first step towards dehumanization…humiliation. It’s the first thing that is done in the military, prison/concentration camps in order to eliminate any true identity that a person might have. What amazes me is how women willingly accept the denigration, and even perpetuate it among themselves. The phenomenon of women shaving off their body hair has been a carefully orchestrated program of female submission carried out by capitalist misogynists (with some pederastic undertones) … a marketing plan designed to make you look more like a child than a real woman. Stand up …throw away your razors….be a natural, strong female ! You will scare the hell out of alot of men, but you will be surprised at how many men not only accept it, but PREFER you that way. Men who respect and admire your strength, men who celebrate your femininity !
lyxe said,
April 4, 2008 @ 12:05 am
I agree that we(women) should not shave at all and that it is very degrading to be told by my older brother to shave. harpdoobie, what the fuckin hell does shaving have to do with capitalism????!!!!!! dont tell me you are a socialist?? theyd surely make you shave too.