Today my 9 year old has been taught that as she grows older, hair will grow on her vagina!

[Ziggyzoom]

I raised this in year 1 when they sent a work sheet home. I can't decide whether to keep ploughing on or satisfy myself with the knowledge that at least my daughters know the correct names for their anatomy.

[EeyoresTail]

But vagina isn't the correct word is it?

[LashesandLipstick]

Brace yourselves, the vulva brigade are coming...

[thatstoast]

Sounds itchy.

[Ziggyzoom]

No. I should clarify - she was taught this at school, during Sex 'Education'.

[Ziggyzoom]

[lashes] But I did hope the school would get it right!

[Pantone363]

Oh god YES ITS A VULVA BUT COMMON USAGE OF VAGINA COVERS THE WHOLE THING

[EeyoresTail]

If the school can't be bothered to get the basics right I'd be tempted to withdraw her from the lessons!

[LashesandLipstick]

Guys does it really matter? The female genitals are often referred to as "vagina", even though technically that's not correct. But in common usage, that's what it's called. It's like how all vacuum cleaners get called hoovers even though technically that's incorrect. Same thing.

Never have I seen so much obsession with the word "vulva" than on this website lol.

They're just fannies (or vulvas), it's not a big deal

[Ziggyzoom]

That might be a tad drastic Eyores, but I am debating whether it is worth bothering to raise it again. They probably roll their eyes and mumble something about the Vulva Brigade under their breath as I leave!

[Ziggyzoom]

It does matter to me. I was never taught the correct terminology as a child and to be honest I was amazed to find out during adulthood that I had been using the wrong names for significant parts of my anatomy.

Without wanting to be accused of over-thinking it, I do think it is the legacy of a patriarchal society where women were not expected to feel in control of their own bodies.

Even if you don't agree with that, I do think that if, in the context of an anatomy lesson, you cannot teach children the correct names for the parts of the body being discussed, it is pretty poor.

[almondcakes]

I don't think you'll get anywhere, because one of the most common used resources for kids of that age has the vulva labelled as vagina.

I didn't know it was common usage in the UK to call a vulva a vagina, but maybe it is a young people thing?

[EeyoresTail]

Is it not akin to calling a penis a "urethra" instead? That is as much a mislabelling as vagina/vulva but would never stand or be dismissed.

[LashesandLipstick]

Bit different Eeyore as women also have urethras. I'd say it's equivelant to calling the scrotum "testicles" as the actual testicles are internal. Still doesn't stop people calling it that so I don't think it's just women's bits

[Ziggyzoom]

That's shocking almond no wonder the confusion perpetuates. Out of interest, is the book written by a man or a woman?

That's how I feel eeyores, I certainly knew all the correct names for male anatomy, but didn't know my own!

[EeyoresTail]

I don't think that your point holds Lashes
Testicles are outside of the body aren't they? Isn't the scrotum just the skin containing them?

[scallopsrgreat]

I'm not sure why its so difficult to get the terminology right . Why wouldn't we teach the correct terminology?

[scrappydappydoo]

But in this case vulva isn't correct either is it?? As far as I know (and I had no formal sex ed so feel free to shout me down) the vagina is the inside bit and the vulva is the immediate outside bit and hair grows outside of that in the pubic area as such.

[overmydeadbody]

I am wondering the same, hair grows on more than just the vuvla right?

[TheFirstOfHerName]

Hair doesn't grow on the vulva or in the vagina. Mons pubis, yes. Labia majora, yes.

[LashesandLipstick]

Eeyores yes they hang down but the bit most people are referring to is a scrotum in the way that a vagina is internal and a vulva is external

[TheFirstOfHerName]

I suppose technically the vulva includes the inner part of the labia majora, but most people use it to mean the parts in between the hairy sections.

[ChilliAndMint]

I'm quite hirsute but... vagina?
Might need one of those nose /ear trimmers.

[Ziggyzoom]

Possibly over-sharing but mine is just about everywhere these days, but definitely NOT on my vagina!

[TheFirstOfHerName]

Apart from on Mn, where some people use the word vagina for the whole kit and caboodle.

[gamerchick]

Fucking Vulvas man! Meep!

Isn't it the mound of Venus anyway where hairy bits grow?