Why I stopped shaving my armpits.

in #girlpower8 years ago (edited)

6 months ago I stopped shaving my armpits

It honestly started off out of laziness. But then I started analyzing the way women are treated for having hair under their arms. I started reading comments on some of my friend's photo by men saying how disgusting and filthy she was for having hair under her arms. This made something switch in my brain. I knew at least 90% of these men had hair under their own arms but they really thought it was somehow disgusting for a woman to have the same hair under hers? The hair that grows naturally just like theirs? This made me kind of pissed off.

"Do these dudes seriously think that having balls makes their body hair more hygienic!?" -My friend Timmy

So, I decided to continue growing out my underarm hair. Though, for the first 4 months I was still ashamed. Any time I went out in a sleeveless shirt I would find something to put over it so my armpits wouldn't be shown. But at some point I started being proud of my hair and I started challenging men's perspectives on female body hair. I started asking them why they think it's okay for them to have body hair buy absolutely repulsive if a female does? I can see saying it isn't quite your taste but, in most cases, men are disgusted by it. Women too, actually. Women have become thoroughly convinced they are someone dirty and shameful if they have underarm hair but that their hairy armed guys are just fine.

Nah, I don't like it. So, I am taking a stand and letting my pits be fuzzy. And I actually like the way it looks now.

I challenge you to reevaluate the way you view female body hair.

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I'm a fan!

Awesome! Thanks. :) I love it when I get positive reactions! The norm is negative and I just like to challenge that mindset as, when you think about it, there's really no good reason behind it!

(The only reason women started shaving under their arms was that an ad came out in 1915 telling women they should remove objectionable hair if they were to dance in sleeveless dresses)

Interesting. Not the same but similar, my wife goes almost every day with No Makeup. She uses small amounts occasionally, but mostly just all natural. I think it is beautiful and brave in a world where women are made to feeel ugly like you mentioned.

hey, me too! A little similar although people dont generally snicker and make fun of me if they catch a glimpse of my naked face. :D

Thank you. :)

I like hair, almost all over the female body.

except maybe the face. :p

I pluck my one straggly black chin hair. D: It horrifies me. It sprouted when I was 22. I remember the exact moment I felt it. I was sitting at my desk in college and tried to brush off a little hair and then realized it was attached. :'(

Was the comment you replied to here a negative one, miss self-defensive from 0-100 in 0.2 seconds?

No, and I was very surprised. You're being a dick to me and constantly accusing me of things. I never downvoted you and I have only 1 account. It is obviously annoying to get repeatedly accused of shit by the same person. You are the only person on this site that gives me this much grief. Even this little comment to start another thing here? Like, really? DROP IT.

2 days ago I asked user "krypto" on your post if he even reads the posts before he comments, cause it was literally within the same minute. And then you went out of your way to take it personally and direct it towards yourself even though I told you twice I wasn't talking to you.

Just wanted to make that clear. Don't worry, I won't be feeding you more attention.

I am not continuing this further. Comment on whatever you want but I will absolutely never engage with you again because I don't want threads of BS on my blog.

Just wanted to prove I was right. You were wrong. Deal with it.

What you are is

Make a whole post about your bladder next.

Reevaluated, still not a fan. You've got every right to do it, don't get me wrong. But it isn't attractive, I don't think hair under your arms accentuated that which makes women so amazing, you're delicate, pretty, more aesthetically pleasing than men in every way. Under arm hair doesn't compliment that to me. If it's a #freethenipple thang, go for it, but I don't really think the 'but men have it' argument will fly. We're way hairier, way bigger and way uglier. Just suits us more, sorry :P

My point is that people say it's disgusting, and dirty. That makes no sense. And regardless of your particular taste it is absolutely just as natural for me to have hair there as it is for you to have it. :) Women started shaving under their arms in 1915 for hundreds of years before that women were painted as feminine and poems were written about how delicate they were. They had hairy underarms though, it doesn't actually take away from anything it's just a cultural preference that is rather recent. I don't expect it to be everyone's cup of tea. Diversity is awesome. I was challenging people that are repulsed by it and feel it is gross not people that simply don't prefer it.

natural beauty

Thanks ^_^ I am pleased with the reaction to this post. I only recently became more confident in my choice to bare my hair. :D

I couldn't do it lol. But good for you for being proud of the skin you're in :)

Haha. I understand that completely. I am simply trying to challenge the notion that every woman has to do it. But I get the desire for a smooth pit. :D

haha This is the best! I shave my arm pits like once a month, if that. I hate the itch factor after shaving!!! I'd rather be comfortable. I could give a shit less if anyone thinks its gross :)

Yay! :D That's the way to be. I gave a shit a lot for a long time but now I really don't. Also yeah, the stubble is awful. Grown out it's nice and soft and I never have to bother with it! I actually like smooth legs but my laziness has made it so those are fuzzy too and I am trying to make myself love them too. :D I mean, I still wear shorts out but I just dont love them yet. :)

Fantastic post! I am equally surprised and saddened that society feels the need to dictate women's bodies, body hair and this misogynist need to wear makeup to appear "professional". What type of deodorant do you use? I am curious about your grooming routine. I have outlined some of my experiments here: https://steemit.com/beauty/@hmfoucault/curiousier-and-curiousier-do-it-yourself-deodorant

Thanks again for adding diversity and a feminist voice to Steemit!

Oh cool. I will look into that. I have lately, tbh, not been wearing deodorant. I stay indoors in AC almost all the time and have been not wanting to use my regular deodorant. But I was going to purchase the mineral salt deodorant. I am going to check out your blog. I am interesting in making my own beauty products also and will definitely post them here when I do. :)