Spring is Here - Time to Shave Your Legs?
by Suzanne Reisman

Spring is a time of rebirth. To many of us mammals, birth is equated with smooth and naked. According to Sheep 101, sheep are sheared once a year, usually in the spring before the onset of warm weather. Like sheep, us human women who avoid shaving our hairy legs and arm pits during the winter because we claim that the minimal extra body hair helps keep us warmer in the cold winter months, find ourselves exposed. Spring and summer practically beg for skirts, shorts, and tank tops. It's harder to hide our woolliness.

Thus to all but the least fashion-conscious feminists (of whose ranks I generally belong), spring is time to flock to the shearing, crack out our neglected razors, and de-fleece ourselves.

Of course, many (if not most) American women shave throughout the year, regardless of weather. Some have a personal dislike of body hair, whether on female or male bodies. Others feel less innately feminine when even a hint of stubble appears on an ankle. Razors geared toward women (i.e. - they have pink or purple handles, and in my opinion, lower quality blades than men's models) are advertised throughout the year on TV and in print, not just during the spring and summer. Salons offering all types of waxing seem to do a booming business year-round, even in cold climates. I love the winter because I can easily ignore all of this, hiding my hairy gams and sprouting arm pits under wool pants and think sweaters. Spring and summers offer challenges, though: do I shirk propriety and walk around in my preferred state of body maintenance neglect, or do I cave and make myself presentable to the viewing public?

It's a dilemma that didn't formerly exist for me. In my sophomore year of high school, I embraced a more radical tenet of feminism that rejected all socially imposed forms of beauty standards. Fortunately, I already didn't wear make-up, as I was too cheap to purchase the stuff and never learned to properly apply it anyway, so not adjustment was required there. While I began shaving the back of my head (once causing my bubbe to cry because she thought I had cancer and no one told her), I stopped shaving my legs and under arms. Since not shaving was a political statement and act of rebellion against the dominant patriarchal culture, I had no problem strolling the steaming streets of suburban Chicago displaying my hairy legs. If people stared at me, it was their problem, not mine. I secretly scorned the sheepish women who refused to understand that they were being controlled by men who sought to infantilize them. (Ah, to be an idealistic youth!) With the shackles of time-wasting beauty rituals thrown off, I had more time to do things that interested me, like read Stephen King books, talk on the phone, defend women's clinics, or watch TV.

Years later, I don't care what other women do. Since I am not down with others lecturing me on how to prepare and present my body, I learned that preaching to others was equally unappreciated and wrong. At the same time, I also continue to avoid shaving whenever possible. This is no longer because I care as much about the ideological underpinnings of body hair (although I still find the topic fascinating), but because I am flat out lazy. (It is also why I still don't ever wear make-up. Too much effort.) Shaving takes time, money, and effort. Ignoring my leg and pit hair, on the other hand, is the epitome of convenient. However, it is not professional to show up at work with hairy legs and arm pits. If I want to indulge in breezy summer clothing, I have to shave. That's the price one pays for wearing comfortable clothing, an option not open to men during the hot summer months.

The change in my attitude toward shaving for political reasons also affects how I feel in social situations. After dropping the political cause I formerly applied to not shaving, I am actually embarrassed when I go out in public looking like I am a trained monkey who escaped the circus. Since it no longer is an act of rebellion, it just advertises that I am a slob. I feel the judgments more keenly. Not only the shocked glares passerby throw at me for violating social norms, but also at those who appear with me. While on the phone with a friend in Ft. Lauderdale whom I plan to visit in early May, I mentioned with a sigh that I should probably shave before I come down there.

"Please don't embarrass me at the beach," she begged.

"What? We're going to the beach?" I replied, shocked. (My hatred of sand equals my loathing of shaving. I may be the only person planning a trip to southern Florida with absolutely no thoughts of hitting the beach, but I digress.)

Her pleading struck me as excessive. At this point in my life, I would no more go to a beach without shaving my legs and my arm pits than I would go without sunscreen and a hat. I even, at the suggestion of Minnie a few summers ago, adopted the practice of wearing long board shorts over my bathing suit so that I wouldn't have to deal with my thighs, or - horror of ultimate horrors - my bikini line. (The effect of hair removal on my bikini line is large, red, irritated bumps. I'm never sure which is worse - stray pubic hair or a heinous rash - but I suspect that the public would frown more on the stray pubic hair. Better to avoid the situation completely.)

So, after waiting for several days of warm weather to confirm that I really need to prepare myself for the new season, I shall give in to social pressure and remove my body hair. The winter build up will require a multi-pronged removal approach, and it will require me to waste time and water in the shower. After the initial shearing, I can turn to my epilating electric razor to painfully remove the regrowth, allowing me to longer between maintenance efforts. Good times. Let the spring and summer begin.

Of course, this is just my experience and thoughts on the matter. For other thoughts on female body hair removal, check out these excellent posts:

  • The Great Feminist Hair Removal Debate by the E-Visibile Woman
  • The Politics of Hair by The Angry Black Woman
  • In Defense of Leg Hair by Erin G
  • Aren't feminists just hairy-legged make-up haters? by tekanji

    • Suzanne also blogs about life at Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Other Rants, about yogurt at Live Active Cultures, and about social change at Just Cause

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    Submitted by Suzanne Reisman (view blog) on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 8:33am

    Comments

     

    Body Hair

    It's just a reminder of how we all came from monkeys and of how painfully slow evolution is.

    I do get rid of it throughout the year, by waxing, and while it is definitely a political issue, this is one norm I choose to conform to.

    I do have a deep appreciation of the few metrosexuals I know, who regularly go through the pain, effort and expense of getting rid of their body hair.

    Vered DeLeeuw
    www.momgrind.com

    Submitted by Vered on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 09:48
     

    Count me...

    as someone who generally keeps it off. I don't have much leg hair to begin with (at least visible hair) so it is relatively easy to manage. With underarms, I have almost none left. (Both my legs and underarms have been lasered along the way.)

    Anyway, it takes all of five minutes effort once a week to keep my legs clean. Underarms... once every six weeks or so. Heh, it is rather easy to take out the 3 remaining hairs ;-)

     

     

    nelle

    Submitted by nelle2nelle on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 11:09
     

    I hate shaving

    I hate shaving. Not necessarily for a feminist reason, just because it's annoying and takes time. I actually discussed shaving my legs on April 8 in this article: It's April and Time to Shave My Legs.

    Chilihead
    Don't Try This at Home

    Submitted by Melanie Nelson on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 12:19
     

    Not doing my pits is the pits..

    I'll admit (since we're all friends here, right?) I have no choice but to do my armpits regularly.  Even with scrubbing, the hair and skin hold an unpleasant body odor that makes me less than socially desireable.  Especially since a hard workout leaves me smelling like... well, you're not THAT close a friend..

    It's shave or stink.  I choose shaving. I'm sure you all thank me for that.

    Debra
    A Stitch In Time
    Deb's Daily Distractions

    Submitted by debra roby on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 13:36
     

    Well, Since You Started it, Donna.

    I'll admit to the same. I sweat very easily and plentifully to begin with. (Another evil of the patriarchy - I feel less feminine because of it. Girls don't sweat!) And even the shortest stubble seems to make me that much more prone to sweat and stink. I would love to take the next step in "green living" and nix deodorant, but there is no way! I'd clear a city block. I have to use both clinical at night and regular over the counter in the am as it is!

     

    Submitted by Diana on Tue, 04/22/2008 - 15:58
     

    Im old now

    and no longer care what anyone else thinks, on top of that I'm a 47 yr. old mother of a 3yr old boy. Shaving is not  on my top 100 things to do each day or week. Also since I can no longer see without my glasses, I can't save time and do it while showering. So my plan is that until one of my cats starts to groom my legs, I will remain a natural mama!  Under arms?... when is that mammogram appointment again?

    DJ

    http://nodinsnest.blogspot.com

    Submitted by Nodinsnest on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 14:29
     

    Hey, Nodinsnest..

     Hey, nodinsnest,

    I'm older than you and probably blinder than you (6.0 diopter correction with a 2.5 bifocal length). I shave in the shower (without glasses) all the time.

    So you can't use those as excuses for not shaving.

    Just honestly say you don't want to, it's OK.

    Debra
    A Stitch In Time
    Deb's Daily Distractions

    Submitted by debra roby on Sun, 04/27/2008 - 14:02
     

    Cannot stop laughing.

    As always, my totally hairless body is in convulsions reading your stuff.  (Hmmmm, i say, wrapping my knuckles.  She's coming around.  Cackle!)

    ___________
    Alyssa Royse
    JUST CAUSE: A Web Site To Save The World

    Start Her Up: A blog for Women Entrepreneu

    Submitted by alyssaroyse on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 17:46
     

    males hairless legs

     I am a blonde male and this an embarrassing subject for me.I feel females should shave their legs because I have completely hairless legs and thighs.I just never grew any.Every woman I've ever been with had hairier legs than me.My current girlfriend is hispanic and does not shave in the winter.I've asked her to shave but she says she likes giving her skin a break because it's sensitive.She grows hair all over her legs and thighs.Mostly on her lower legs.She has thick black hair all over her legs.I am embarrassed when my leg is next to hers.She laughs and says it looks like I have the man legs and you the girls legs.She does kinda tease me about this.She does seem proud of her leg hair.One time she actually searched my legs looking for hair and couldn't find even one.She was shocked and said I never saw a man that had completely bald legs.She said when she was a little girl she had a lot of leg hair.

    I do feel embarrassed about this.Even when she wears pantyhose you can see all the leg hair matted down.Sometimes when she wears shorts or a dress around the house I'll put on pants so she can't see my legs.Last week we went to the garage to check something and we were both in shorts as we headed back to the house the teenage girl next door quickly appeared out there.She started talking to us and she noticed right away our legs.She kept on looking at our legs with wide eyes.My girlfriend didn't care but I was uncomfortable knowing that the sun was shining on our legs and she had to  notice that mine were hairless and my girlfriends were full of hair.Her hair is so noticeable.I went inside the house.They talked for a while and the girl told my girlfriend that she never saw anything like our legs.She said she never saw where a female had so much more hair on their legs than a guy. She said she never saw a mans leg hairless. She even asked if I shaved them.She told my girlfriend that she wishes she could walk around with hairy legs but she just can't. She said she has a lot of hair on  her legs also.

     That was the most embarrassing moment of my life. I do not like when other people see our legs together unless hers are shaved.

      I do admit I am very jealous of hairy legs on a female.I wish I had their hairy legs.My girlfriend teases me quite a bit about that.It is shocking to see us get out of the shower and look in the mirror and see her wet black leg hair and see my hairless legs.It is a different perspective to see that sight in the mirror.She even says just look at our legs.She seems proud of her leg hair. She said I have the smoothest legs she ever felt. She said my legs should be in a commercial for Nair.She bought me some Rogaine as a gag gift to see if my legs would grow hair. I did try it secretly and it didn't work at all.  

     From this I would hope all women shave their legs because I don't like for a female to have hairier legs than me. I feel they have more manly legs than me.Would females feel funny if they had hairier legs than guys? Do you think it's strange for a guy to have hairless legs? I know I feel funny.The good thing is she'll be shaving her legs soon and I can wear shorts anywhere alongside her without feeling completely self conscious about my legs. Sometimes I get looks from females looking at my legs and it makes me somewhat self conscious.I guess they're kinda surprised I have no leg hair because my girlfriend still is. 

    Submitted by RayP on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 20:07
     

    To Each Her Own

    Thanks, everyone, for sharing your thoughts on shaving.  I think what is most interesting about the variety of reasons people have for shaving or not shaving are very good illustrations that we do not just do something because we are socially conditioned to.  (Although that may play a role in our decision.)  This kind of independent thinking is exactly why I relish being part of the BlogHer community.

    Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender
    Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS)& Other Rants

    Submitted by Suzanne Reisman on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 05:59
     

    I love me some hairy pits

    I quit shaving when I was 20 for the same reasons you stated above. After some time I decided I really wasn't down with my hairy legs. My hairy pits on the other hand I love. I don't know why but I think it's hot when a woman has hairy pits. Hairy legs? Not so much. I don't know why I like one and not the other but....since my daughter was born I don't often shave my legs either but if I'm going to be wearing a short skirt I definitely will. Luckily I live ina community where you're kind of the odd one out if you DO shave but when I go home to Louisiana for visits I'm reminded that hairy pits on women are not very accepted in most areas. So what do I do? Wear tank tops every day and look for reasons to lift my arms.

    Submitted by Defiantmuse on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 08:16
     

    I Forget

    I forget to shave. It's just not important to me.  The only reason I do it because I swim and of course now that it's getting warmer.  Every once in a while I'll think about shavingin general and it strikes me as odd that this is a practice that our society embraces.   

    Alex Elliot, Formula Fed and Flexible Parenting

    Submitted by A Elliot on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:54
     

    Hairy Armpits Are Sexy

    I, too, have been a furry gal for years and years.  With a couple of exceptions, I don't think I've shaved my legs since early high school.  I go back and forth on the hairy pits front - mumbling about sweat, or smell, or dripping...bottom line, it's usually about how it looks.  But! Back in the college days, it was a lot about making a feminist statement, and the summer after I graduated, I drove across country with a friend, and we both shocked America with our brazen ways, full of tank tops and unshaven armpits.  One night we were camping somewhere in...Montana?  I don't actually remember.  We met these two boys, and hung out, and gazed at the stars together, and so on.  But they were just fascinated by our pits.  They kept asking us questions about it, and had clearly never met girls with hairy armpits before.  Finally we all went to sleep, and the next morning, after they had left and we were getting ready to go, we noticed something:  on the side of our very dirty white van, they had written "Armpit Hair Rules".  We posed, showing off our fur, and it's one of my favorite pictures to this day.
    I have started shaving the pits again during summer, though.  And I too wear shorts for swimming...there just isn't a good alternative.  
    Thanks for bringing this up!  I've been reading for a while, but haven't felt compelled to join in the conversation until now.  (and I've just entered the blogosphere myself - yikes! Check it out if you have a moment:  imperfecttense.blogspot.com) (hmm, thought that would automatically create a link, but clearly I've still got lots to learn)

    Submitted by claire b on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 20:27
     

    "Armpit Hair Rules"

    That's the greatest story.  I can't stop smiling thinking about what a great experience that must have been in every way.  I've always wanted to drive cross country, and it is inspiring to hear that there are people out there who are open minded to meeting people who live their lives on their own terms.  So awesome!!!

    Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender
    Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS)& Other Rants

    Submitted by Suzanne Reisman on Sun, 04/27/2008 - 13:47