Society & Shaving
So I know that I don’t have that many followers, and probably a lot of my followers don’t care about what I have to say. But I’m angry and annoyed at society and the pressures it puts on women.
I have always hated shaving. I didn’t start until I was 13; I remember I was at a pool party and all the girls in my class were in bikinis with freshly shaven legs and I stood there, in my tankini and with my hairy legs, extremely uncomfortable. I remember a girl asked me if I had started shaving yet, and I said no, not really, full of embarrassment. That night I asked my mom if I could start shaving. I was extremely hesitant and had my mom help me at first, but even to this day I am still incredibly careful and slow while shaving; I have a fear of sharp objects and I am terrified the razor will leave deep cuts.
I am continually embarrassed when I go out in public and feel like my leg hair is too visible. I have never been a great shaver; I continually miss spots on my legs no matter how long it takes me, and I’ve always wondered how girls can have such smooth legs. I don’t think I’ve ever had legs completely rid of hair. I am also extremely self conscious about my armpit hair and pubic hair. I remember my mom telling me once that I needed to shave my armpits because they were getting too hairy, and now I am incredibly insecure every time I have to lift my arms in the dressing room. No matter what bikini bottom I wear, you can almost always see a little bit of hair peeking out. I’ve tried shaving it, but it’s so painful, and there’s just so much of it. I know what you’re thinking right now, “Woah Grace too much information, we don’t need to hear about your pubic hair.” But that is part of the problem, that in the society we live in we can’t even talk about the hair that grows naturally on a woman’s body without people being disturbed, grossed out, or uncomfortable.
Here’s the thing: hair grows. It’s a natural part of our body. We can’t do anything about the fact that it’s there. Yet we spend so much time shaving and waxing and removing, trying to please others, while men don’t have to do any of that, because it’s normal for their hair to be there, but it’s somehow not normal for us.
I’d like to say that I’ll stop shaving, that I’ll stop giving in to society’s standards, but I probably won’t. Because as much as I’d like to go out and rock a dress with hairy legs, I don’t think I have the confidence to do it yet. I am afraid that someone will tell me it’s disgusting, that someone will whisper about me behind my back as “the girl who doesn’t shave”. I wish I wasn’t so self conscious about my body. Even today, I went out in 80 degree weather in jeans because I was too embarrassed about how my legs looked to wear shorts. I can’t tell you how much I did that this summer actually, not just because of hair, but because of the burns and scars the razor and shaving cream leave. I think about how often times when I go swimming I’ll wear gym shorts over my swimsuit in fear someone will see a tiny bit of my hair down there. How I throw on a jackets last minute because I think my armpit hair might be a bit too long.
Now I understand some girls love shaving. I have friends who love the feeling of smooth legs, and I’m not saying that we must not shave ever, just that the idea that we must shave a couple times a week to look acceptable is a misogynistic and American one. I’m not sure when we got the idea that in order to be beautiful our legs must be smooth and our bodies hairless. I’m not sure where we got the idea that in order for men to love us our legs must be shaved.
Your body hair is beautiful and has value. It’s there for a reason. Shaving it is perfectly fine, and not shaving it is too. I understand if you’re not brave enough to stop shaving; I’m not, either. But I see so many girls complain about it (myself being one of them) and wonder why so many women participate in this burden that is completely useless. You are not more beautiful with or without your body hair.
Love yourselves and your bodies :)
