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Feminine
Shaving:
Just Say No
It seems only clean-shaven women are allowed to be
beautiful. It is the height of unattractiveness to be
the slightest bit fuzzy.
Why?
Your body naturally grows darkened hair. It's a sign
of maturity. Only children have naturally light or transparent
body hair, and everyone's body hair darkens or thickens
to some extent with puberty. It's a clear sign of growing
up, of reaching adulthood, substantially no different
from developing breasts. But what does society tell
women to do? Shave it off! And yet do so while wearing
butt-high miniskirts and necklines that drop down to
our bellybuttons. What message could that possibly send?
I think all this results in a very strong, pervasive
message that a mature woman can't be beautiful. She
has to be childlike to be sexually attractive. And this
societal restriction carries with it the implication
that women are children, with all the disempowerment
that implies. (I do not see the same message implicit
in male shaving becaus it is socially acceptable for
men to do whatever they want with their facial hair,
and should the same ever be said for women, I would
no longer hold any objections, and cheerfully resign
this page to archival status.)
Is saying all this going a bit far? Perhaps a little.
But do try and tell me you DON'T see those messages
in American culture. It is perpetuated in media, by
movie stars, by advertisements, by Barbie dolls. Shaving
is just another element of the oppression of women through
societal brainwashing. Now, I know that not everyone
who shaves or perfers shaven women think this way, but
from my observations and experience, that is the original
mentality behind the practice. If you prefer the aesthetics
of smooth legs, that's one thing - I just don't want
to be told that I'm not beautiful, intelligent or clean
because I don't remove my natural body hair.
I don't ask that you be attracted to unshaven women,
heavens no! I'm just pissed off at the pervading cult
of one type of beauty. I have been known to defend people
who draw childlike individuals expressing sexuality
(Hi Taral!) - my objection is not that women, or that
people in general should not be portrayed as childlike.
That aesthetic, while it bothers many people, has a
beauty of its own as well. My objection is when only
one standard is acceptable or portrayed as beautiful.
Movies, magazines, television, advertisements - one
vision of beauty, rejecting all others. Men are subject
to this as well - but not so far as shaving goes, not
to such an extreme degree. That is where this page steps
in.
One of the things that bugs me the most is the implication/assumption
that women who don't shave aren't clean. The equation
of shaving with good hygene is not only insulting to
women, but insulting to the intelligence of the person
who makes such a claim. What is it about body hair that
is unclean? Clean men have body hair. Why is it inconcievable
that clean women should have body hair? You can wash
and brush your hair, use deodorant, dress nicely, manicure
your nails, brush your teeth, etc., yet if you don't
spend half an hour in the tub burning your legs with
chemicals or scraping a razor over them you are suddenly
unwomanly and disgusting. Give me a proverbial break.
When in middle school (the bastardization of junior
high and elementary, usually grades 6-8), I was ruthlessly
teased for this independant practice, and somewhat ostracized.
This was probably partly due to the fact that not only
did I not shave, but my natural body hair is very thick
and dark. I knuckled in once, then decided it simply
wasn't worth the effort. After that, I continued shaving
my underarms, under the rationalization deodorant works
better if you apply it directly to skin. Then I learned
better. If you bathe often, as you should, odor won't
accumulate enough so that shaving is neccessary (with
exception for unusual body chemistry). And besides,
armpit hair can make pretty little swirlies once it's
all grown out. 8)
I still suffer occaional ostracization, critical looks,
etc. I can't wear sleeveless tops to any professional
work environment. And yes, that's the choice I've made.
But I fight the single-minded ideal of beauty when I
can.
If you CHOOSE to shave, that's your business. I accept
that smooth skin is an aesthetic all on it's own. And
I understand the peer pressure young women can be under;
I won't begrudge a young lady the wish to avoid harassment
in swimming class or the gym. But it is an utterly bogus
social standard. You need to make your own decision.
Don't shave just because all the other girls do it.
Don't shave because it seems like you have no other
choice. Don't shave because all the pretty ladies on
TV are shaven. Look at what you're saying and what you're
participating in when you reach for that razor. Then,
choose to shave or not to shave based on your own, personal
reasons.
Of course, I encourage you to stand up against society.
Revel in your natural beauty! Be a crusader for women's
bodies au naturelle! Feel the rush of pride when a stranger
compliments you (it's happened to me), and comments
on how few women have unshaven legs! I've taken the
rough road, and the rewards are many.
taken from Manawolf's
Lair
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