Hairy Legs

I started this post a few weeks ago and decided I was too far into left field. Then I had a conversation with a friend last week that changed my mind. Not about being in left field, psht, still there, but that it was a point that should be brought up.

Ladies - Why do you shave your legs? "Because I want them to be smooth." Why do you want them to be smooth? ...... No, really. I have no answer for that question. I don't get it. Why? What is the benefit?

I've grown up hearing jokes about French women not shaving their armpits..... so? That hair is there for a reason. If you've ever gotten an underarm rash while working out you realize that hair has a definite and wonderful purpose.

What's truly funny is I hear men getting razzed all the time for shaving their legs for sports. Here's the people who genuinely should shave their leg hair off due to tape, road rash, etc. Yet it is socially degrading if noticed. Why? It's considered feminine.

Supposedly the practice started as women's clothing got shorter and shorter. There are also stories that it became common practice when panty hose were in short supply during the war and women used to paint the seam down the back of their leg to look like they had stockings on. But I truly wish I knew who made this decision. I remember hanging out with a group of ladies and I wore a skirt (ah! shock!) and they were surprised to see my hairy legs. I had suddenly morphed into E.T., seriously it was like I'd sprouted another head. "I could never do that!" "It would drive me crazy!" "What does your husband think?"

#1 What? You could never let your body (and every other human save a select few) do what it does naturally?

#2 What drives you crazy are probably those tiny pointy hairs that pop out every few days. Letting your hair grow out does not give you the same feeling.

#3 Really? Did you just ask me that? I'm sorry, but if your relationship with your husband hinges on how close shaven you are then you need to seriously reevaluate the quality of your marriage.

Do young girls just decide one day that those leg hairs are driving her mad - they must come off!? No, this is a learned behavior. Either they are shown how as a right of passage or shamed into it. I've known plenty of women who shaved their forearms when they were younger because they were teased.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a bra burning, hairy, hippy feminist..... well... I may be some of that. Anyway, I'm not saying everyone stop shaving now! I still shave on occasion when I want to for one reason or another. I just wish this custom had informed consent. An overwhelming desire to change your natural physical appearance to conform with/for others is a sign of low self esteem. Often people forget why they do these things after so long of conforming. They just, do. So before you pick up the razor next time ask yourself, why? Why am I doing this? Do I feel like I have to? And remember 'not' is always an option.