Is it the norm for teenage boys to shave their underarms and legs?

[bubblicious3]

Just found out my 15 year old shaves both. He says it's perfectly normal, and we are old fashioned. His older brother doesn't shave these and also finds it odd. I know it's more common to remove body hair now but I assumed more chest or pubic, bit surprised about legs tbh! There is a bit of a backstory of him mentioning once having some trans ideations but it hasn't come up again and he's into fairly typically male things. So - is this actually quite common and we are out of touch?

My 15 yo DS doesn’t shave his but who knows 🤷🏻‍♀️

Shaving legs is normal for 15 year olds who do certain sports. Under arms I've never asked...

Shaving seems like one of those things that shouldn't really matter either way, for boys/men or girls/women. It's just hair.

I believe leg shaving isn't unusual among cyclists of both sexes.

The way I see it is: it’s normal for teenagers to shave their bodies, it’s also normal for teenagers not to. There’s nothing wrong or harmful going on, people choose to deal with body hair in whatever way they want.

Would you be asking these questions of a girl?

Why is it girls not shaving is seen as odd, and boys shaving is seen as odd.

Maybe he prefers the feel, thinks it’s more hygienic, or whatever reason millions of women shave for.

His body, his hair, his choice. It doesn’t make him trans, any more than me not shaving makes me a man.

Leave him be and don’t comment.

It’s very fashionable at the moment. Just watch newer episodes of love island and compare them with the first season!

My husband used to feel self conscious about his lack of ‘manly’ body hair and now he feels bang on trend.

I personally think if a man wants to shave, or a woman doesn’t want to, it’s their choice and there is no right or wrong answer.

I guess in my circle of 40+ friends, men tend to be fairly hairy! I don't care if he wants to do it (tho I might get him a better razor) but I was just wondering if it was common.

Why is it girls not shaving is seen as odd, and boys shaving is seen as odd

Because one is super common and the other is not? Clearly it's not the same ffs.

OP, I don't think it's that common but I also don't think it's REALLY unusual. I've had male friends who did it and some who still do. Often it's because they're quite hairy and don't like it. And a few of my male friends think underarm hair makes them more likely to have BO (which teenagers are super-paranoid about) so they shave it off. Legs is less common in my experience but still not unheard of.

Gender stereotypes are being eroded by teens today, thankfully.

It’s become more common in boys yes.

I'm a bloke used to do county swimming and got asked to do it but I couldn't be bothered, and wasn't particularly common, only in bodybuilding circles have I heard of it being done, so I'd say it's very unusual, not to mention a massive pain.

My teen boy doesn't.

But he's a swimmer with aspirations to be elite - and I think they have to for racing!

I'd get him a really good razor and not mention it again. Body hair is a very personal choice imho. I don't bother shaving most of the time but some people like the smooth feeling.

Ha ha student x posts!

My ds did shave his legs and arms while struggling with his gender identity around aged 15/16. Like his father he is naturally very hairy limbed. Has it au naturel now he's 18 and a bit happier in his body.

Yes they often do, my adult son says his friends are not keen on underarm hair any more as it gets sweaty and smells.

Thanks everyone, some interesting views. I imagine he'll get sick of doing it regularly, I know I do!

@ErrolTheDragon

Shaving seems like one of those things that shouldn't really matter either way, for boys/men or girls/women. It's just hair.

I believe leg shaving isn't unusual among cyclists of both sexes.

Swimmers and weight lifters as well.

Any sport were people want to be more aerodynamic or want to have better looking muscles people remove body hair.

Also some boys and men with really thick body hair take steps to remove/ reduce it for lifestyle reasons.

I had these conversations decades ago with boys/men - including when they first removed it - and now there social media channels were they go into the myths of removing body hair and the best ways of doing it for various sports and lifestyles....