Is pubic hair a feminist issue?

I think that's the thing. For some women it may be that it's expevted of them which needs to stop, but for some of us it's because lo and behold we prefer it.

If all women decided not to shave their legs in the summer at the same time then we could all go hairy. But no one wants to be the one to take the first step

Because I really don't want to. I like the feel of newly shaved skin too. And as for cost?a pack of Boots own brand disposable razers and whatever soap happens to be in the bathroom.

Oops...thread has moved on a bit...sorry

Yes but it's about giving the 'illusion of long and lean' / hourglass etc - so you need to buy spanx, wide belts, shaping tights, wonderbras etc.

I don't deny that there is pressure to look a certain way and that we are influenced by what goes on around us. Not at all, but for me personally, choosing to shave my bits is personal preference, just the se as I prefer to use tampons because I don't like the way sanitary towels feel. And that isn't influenced by outside advertising, lord knows there is enough adverts telling is how much liquid a sanitary towel can hold and how "fresh" they feel.

I still want equality. I don't want to be judged by women (or men for that matter) on my personal grooming habits...they are my choice on how I like to feel.

It's shockingg that printing it in a few magazines makes it true.

The sheer propaganda we're fed. How just one article can spur the onset of severe changes.

Yes and I don't mind them saying it about tights, but to call different body shapes "fashionable" or not is just so outrageously wrong!

Always makes me think of that film with Julie Andrews where she's a flapper and she's annoyed with her boobs because she isn't flat chested enough to let her long strings of beads hang right!

If all women decided not to shave their legs in the summer at the same time then we could all go hairy. But no one wants to be the one to take the first step
But I don't want to. I like the feel of my shaved legs. It's not about how they look, my hair is so fair it's barely visible and my skin is as white as it comes - no fake tanning going on here.

YY it's commercial industry (who do not have our best interests at heart) in toxic harmony with the media (who also do not have our interests at heart).

It's not about individual men or women or even pressure from them generally, it's the films, magazines, adverts etc etc that shape our ideas because that is their aim and they are horrifyingly good at it. And then once the idea has taken hold then yes groups and individuals apply pressure both subtely and less so, but the problem is big business.

It's the thing isn't it "pale skin is coming back" "sun kissed skin is in" "hourglass figures are on trend for blah" "this season's shape is long and lean" and etc etc etc

These are really fundamental things that it is pretty fucking hard to change! They shouldn't be included in the same breath as "grey coats are great this winter"!!!

Although having said that I can't find it on google so maybe it's a total lie I dreamt up!

I remember when I was one of few who didn't tan or anything. I got the whole 'brave' thing. Ridiculous

Now thought they apparently admire me for 'being able to be pale'.

It's sad when women feel they can't have their natural skin colour!

If all women decided not to shave their legs in the summer at the same time then we could all go hairy. But no one wants to be the one to take the first step.

You could always hang out with me then.

Media manufactured beauty standards are not something I aspire to. Just think how attractive you'll all look beside me

Any of you remember when Eurythmics were going to perform Sweet Dreams in the US and there was a big hoo ha about them letting a man dressed like that perform!

I think there needs to be a "critical mass" for things like that to change?

Like that browning stuff you smear on your legs a few years ago everyone was saying "ooh your legs are white why don't you do X" and everyone was buying gallons it and the people who didn't do it were considered rather "brave" - this was in the microcosm of my workplace and friendship group at the time. But it didn't take hold properly and now it's seen as entirely optional - put browny stuff on your legs if you like but if they're white hey that's what colour they are no worries.

Shaving legs + pits is way more entrenched than that though. People are removing more hair, not less, has been the trend for years and years.

There is a bit of pressure on this thread to make women justify their grooming decisions.

It's nothing against the billions of pounds spent marketing hair removal products, cosmetics, cosmetic surgery, hair dye etc. If you want to talk about pressure on women, that's where you start.

Good point pilchard. The androneous (is that spelled correctly?) look is quite up at the minute, but it's just a trend isn't it. Meaning it isn't done for the right reasons, it's just fashionable.

Back to the workplace, a lot of people say, well men have to wear these boring suits and uncomfortable ties, so that's not a choice, women have a much bigger choice.

But both are restricted really, just in very very different ways.

It would be great if there was genuine free choice, and a woman turning up in a male-cut suit or a man putting on some heels wouldn't raise an eyebrow.

Women cannot make this choice without belittment, judgement and general derision
But the solution to that, is not to put pressure onto women to stop any grooming that they do want to do.

I completely agree Grays - I don't feel that I have to look, behave or in any way do what men do, in order to have equality.
Equality is about equal value in society and equal ability to make our own choices without pressure from other people - men or women.

Pilchard you have put it how I wish I could have. I shan't blame the wine