NationStates Jolt Archive

So, reading various people's likes and dislikes on the sex (First Date Etiquette) thread, I started wondering...

When did it become the norm (at least in western societies) for women to shave off the hair on their legs and armpits? I'm certainly not objecting (though if my ladyfriend decided not to do so anymore, I wouldn't object either), but as a practice it must have started and become widespread sometime. Certainly people didn't always do so.

Not that women are the only ones to remove their body hair, either. It just seems much more widespread among women than among men.

Anybody know about this aesthetic practice's origins? Or willing to speculate?

as a guess, it probably began along about the time pr0n began being allowed to show the 'naughty bits' in full glorious color, frequently, so that mom's and wifies, finding their mate's stash of whack off material, got a good look at what they were going to have to compete with. and of course vanity is no less in the female then in the male, same as aggressiveness, just a matter of do to the inertia of tradition and pseudo tradition the're having to take slightly, often even superfiscially, different forms.

as a guess, it probably began along about the time pr0n began being allowed to show the 'naughty bits' in full glorious color, frequently, so that mom's and wifies, finding their mate's stash of whack off material, got a good look at what they were going to have to compete with. and of course vanity is no less in the female then in the male, same as aggressiveness, just a matter of do to the inertia of tradition and pseudo tradition the're having to take slightly, often even superfiscially, different forms.

An interesting idea. Makes sense, that if pornography was showing more and more skin, and showing women in it with no leg hair or armpit hair, the practice would spread.

So, reading various people's likes and dislikes on the sex (First Date Etiquette) thread, I started wondering...

When did it become the norm (at least in western societies) for women to shave off the hair on their legs and armpits? I'm certainly not objecting (though if my ladyfriend decided not to do so anymore, I wouldn't object either), but as a practice it must have started and become widespread sometime. Certainly people didn't always do so.

Not that women are the only ones to remove their body hair, either. It just seems much more widespread among women than among men.

Anybody know about this aesthetic practice's origins? Or willing to speculate?

Depends what culture you're talking about. It's been common in the Muslim world for centuries, I believe.

Depends what culture you're talking about. It's been common in the Muslim world for centuries, I believe.

I'm specifically talking about western cultures. Information on the practice in other cultures is fine, too, though.

It's also kind of odd though, because originally art with nude women in them (you've all seen them) were painted without body hair, in an attempt to make them look young and make the picture devoid of sexuality.

Through the Google, I have learned that there is a category in Wikipedia devoted to depilation. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leg_shaving)

For women, the practice of shaving the legs derives from a current cultural standard in the West that deems leg hair on women unattractive. This standard emerged during the early twentieth century, as women's legs became more visible owing to shorter hemlines, and when the safety razor made the practice of leg shaving practical. The reasons for this cultural standard are debated, but it is sometimes seen as an example of a cultural mechanism for increasing sexual dimorphism. Others have suggested that it was promoted as a means of selling razors to a broader segment of the populace.
It's also kind of odd though, because originally art with nude women in them (you've all seen them) were painted without body hair, in an attempt to make them look young and make the picture devoid of sexuality.
That may be because classical civilization viewed pre-pubescent children as the highest standard of beauty. Or so I'm told.

Through the Google, I have learned that there is a category in Wikipedia devoted to depilation. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leg_shaving)

And NSG delivers. Thank you, Braaainsss.

Though, I was sorta hoping the thread would go longer before there was a definitive answer. Speculation is fun, lol.

The norm started as a perception of hygiene. The loss of hair made it easier to keep body odors to a minimum and allowed perfumes to take on a much more likable fragrance.

Here's what one medical website had to say on the matter...

"Pubic shaving actually originated in ancient Egypt and Greece when prostitutes had to shave for both hygienic reasons and as a clear sign of their profession. Although female body shaving was established as the norm between 1915 and 1945, pubic hair removal did not gain a strong foothold until the 1980s.

In part, this was due to a trend in the porn industry where it was common for women to shave the pubic area. As pornography has become more accepted in the general public, more women have mimiced what they have seen. In this way, pubic hair shaving has become mainstream.

Also, bikini bathing suits began to reveal more of the pubic area in the 1970 and 80s. With this trend came increased pressure to avoid revealing pubic hair by removing it."

Here's what one medical website had to say on the matter...

"Pubic shaving actually originated in ancient Egypt and Greece when prostitutes had to shave for both hygienic reasons and as a clear sign of their profession. Although female body shaving was established as the norm between 1915 and 1945, pubic hair removal did not gain a strong foothold until the 1980s.

In part, this was due to a trend in the porn industry where it was common for women to shave the pubic area. As pornography has become more accepted in the general public, more women have mimiced what they have seen. In this way, pubic hair shaving has become mainstream.

Also, bikini bathing suits began to reveal more of the pubic area in the 1970 and 80s. With this trend came increased pressure to avoid revealing pubic hair by removing it."

I was actually talking about leg and armpit shaving. While pubic shaving has become widespread recently, it's still not as ubiquitous as the removal of leg and armpit hair.

Also, I don't like the way bald genitals look. They just appear... strange, to me.

I think the Egyptians have something to do with it. But I'm almost certain the shaving of the legs, armpits and privates originated as a hygene thing.

It's also kind of odd though, because originally art with nude women in them (you've all seen them) were painted without body hair, in an attempt to make them look young and make the picture devoid of sexuality.

I can't remember who it was now, but there's this story about an English romantic poet who reputedly fainted on his wedding night after discovering that women had body hair...

So the perception that a beautiful woman does not have body hair seems to be fairly old.

We have found feminine items in places like Pompeii (and other Roman towns) that are believed to have been used to shave/wax. Things like sharpened clam shells.

Just something to think about. I think its been common a lot longer than youd expect.

The only thing that is a total turn-off for me are women with hairy legs. Please shave those (or if need be, let me do that for you!). The rest doesn't bother me at all, I seriously don't mind. Except for the legs.

As for the origins? Wasn't there a shortage of nylon/perlon stockings during WW2 (both with the Axis and Allies because the material was used for the war), so women started painting their legs, but they had to remove the hair so it wouldn't show and look like they were wearing stockings?

http://www.kuenstlerstaette-bleckede.de/bleckede_html/stip_aktuell/stip_details/bilder/2006_KM1.jpg
Germany 1940s

http://einestages.spiegel.de/hund-images/2008/10/10/22/9403e9c72eea4b546e7a1a9bdedc9d1f_image_document_large_featured_borderless.jpg
U.K. 1940s

http://einestages.spiegel.de/hund-images/2008/10/02/21/1e5bcf4ce9a328ad337f6d3821fb555b_image_document_large_featured_borderless.jpg
Japan 21st century: Air stockings

hair is ugly hence why naked men are ugly.

plus fashion = pain so naturally...

I think the Egyptians have something to do with it. But I'm almost certain the shaving of the legs, armpits and privates originated as a hygene thing.

In ancient Egypt both men and women shaved off all their body hair - it was cooler and cleaner. The ancient Romans, at least the aristocracy, took up the practice because it was, well, practical. In Europe in the Dark Ages it fell out of favor, but it remained a common practice in the Middle East.

a lot of the girls i date don't need to shave their legs. as i tend to date Asian girls. though shaving of the arm bits is still needed. and I really encourage public hair shaving as Asian pubs tend to be straighter and stick out more.

Body hair is pretty much terrible.

So, reading various people's likes and dislikes on the sex (First Date Etiquette) thread, I started wondering...

When did it become the norm (at least in western societies) for women to shave off the hair on their legs and armpits? I'm certainly not objecting (though if my ladyfriend decided not to do so anymore, I wouldn't object either), but as a practice it must have started and become widespread sometime. Certainly people didn't always do so.

Not that women are the only ones to remove their body hair, either. It just seems much more widespread among women than among men.

Anybody know about this aesthetic practice's origins? Or willing to speculate?

I don't know about the origins, but I assume that hairlessness is considered a symbol of youth.

I prefer the look and feel of hairlessness on myself (and women in general), but I prefer men to be hairy.

And NSG delivers. Thank you, Braaainsss.

Though, I was sorta hoping the thread would go longer before there was a definitive answer. Speculation is fun, lol.

It's not like wikipedia is some kind of supreme authority of all knowledge. A lot of incomplete facts and downright bunk is posted there as well.

Although in this topic I agree with what it says "a cultural mechanism for increasing sexual dimorphism", in western society at least. Really, what else could it be? Ancient people et al not withstanding. We know what makes our own society tick, it's not a big mystery, it's common sense.

It's not like wikipedia is some kind of supreme authority of all knowledge. A lot of incomplete facts and downright bunk is posted there as well.

Although in this topic I agree with what it says "a cultural mechanism for increasing sexual dimorphism", in western society at least. Really, what else could it be? Ancient people et al not withstanding. We know what makes our own society tick, it's not a big mystery, it's common sense.

Yes, but for minor curiosities like this it's pretty good.

Yes, but for minor curiosities like this it's pretty good.

The one top cause of the phenomenon in this topic would be opinion, so wikipedia closes nothing as you suggested it did.

I was actually talking about leg and armpit shaving. While pubic shaving has become widespread recently, it's still not as ubiquitous as the removal of leg and armpit hair.

Also, I don't like the way bald genitals look. They just appear... strange, to me.

Arm hair, facial hair, leg hair, and hair down there (hey it rhymes!) are all pubic hair. Let the speculation/answers continue!

as a guess, it probably began along about the time pr0n began being allowed to show the 'naughty bits' in full glorious color, frequently, so that mom's and wifies, finding their mate's stash of whack off material, got a good look at what they were going to have to compete with. and of course vanity is no less in the female then in the male, same as aggressiveness, just a matter of do to the inertia of tradition and pseudo tradition the're having to take slightly, often even superfiscially, different forms.
Earlier. Look at all the nudes in statues and oils. No hair except on head, maybe eyebrows... most times you don't see the pubic hair.

The one top cause of the phenomenon in this topic would be opinion, so wikipedia closes nothing as you suggested it did.

I asked. I got an answer that was satisfactory for my level of interest. You of course are free to investigate the matter more, but if you're not going to post answers or even speculation and just whine about wikipedia instead, GTFO the thread. If you want to bitch about wikipedia, make your own thread.

I asked. I got an answer that was satisfactory for my level of interest. You of course are free to investigate the matter more, but if you're not going to post answers or even speculation and just whine about wikipedia instead, GTFO the thread. If you want to bitch about wikipedia, make your own thread.

haha, stop raging, I did post my answer, clear as day.

haha, stop raging, I did post my answer, clear as day.

Not raging, just being blunt. Besides agreeing with something already posted, you've basically just complained about TOW in this thread.