Will my DD aged 18 be mocked for this?

[hippospot]

Or sniggered at, ridiculed or ostracised?

Having unshaved underarms at uni.

She has her own style, quite quirky / dark academia, it really suits her. She's bookish and amazing. Tall and striking. I'm so proud of her.

But when she tried on her prom dress I admit the bushy underarm hair shocks 50-something me. At her age I wouldn't have had the confidence or daring to stand out at all.

I offered to get her a razor in the past and she seemed affronted and insisted she likes her body hair. Her body, her choice. I didn't ever mention it again.

The thing is she's at a selective girls school where there's a fantastic ethos of acceptance, lots of clever girls like her and a lot of neurodiversity. I'm worried her uni experience won't be as accepting. She's going to a traditional Russell group uni this year with a lot of public school types.

I'm conflicted about saying something to her again.

WWYD?

And I am of an even older generation, at uni in the mid-60s and lots of us didn't worry about body hair. Pleased to see the wheel turning full circle.

Yes, I think it's really ugly on men too.

On a practical level I think anti-perspirant works much better on shaved skin.

I’ve got the only unshaven pits in most of my gym classes at 60+ and don’t give a monkeys. Really sad that most people have been guilted into hair removal. Good for your DD OP.

Well done your daughter. Long may this trend continue .

Lots of us don't do any of those things. Why are you so insecure that you need to keep removing the signs that you're a sexually mature adult?

I'm 54 and have gone from shaving everything to not bothering for 8yrs odd.

I know a 19yr old and several 20 somethings. None of them shave anywhere either.

I think there is a movement against all the kim kardashian style over grooming. Good for her.

Is it?!

I personally, like to be smooth like a dolphin 😂, but that’s for me. I don’t think body hair is ugly - why would it be?! Just not my personal preference for me

We need a revival of a 70s bush too!!! I hate the shaven haven trend

I've never removed pubic hair but I've always thought armpit hair is really ugly on men and women.

I’m 34 and have a load of friends who no longer shave their armpits. I think it’s such a none issue for younger girls nowadays, good on them!

I don't think it's patriarchy, i just don't like seeing other people's underarm hair, male or female. Just like i don't like full beards on men.

Up to her of course. I mean don't shave when it's not on display. A little bit is not as gross as full on

This is such a reassuring thread for me! My daughter is nearly 16 and doesn’t shave, never asked to (and it was such a rite of passage for me and my friends in the 90s!). I really wasn’t sure if I should mention it in case she felt she couldn’t ask and also fear of her being ridiculed. I’m glad I’ve kept quiet now and let her do her own thing, I had no idea it was so common not to shave. Thank you OP.

No I think when we were at school it was the “cool” to shave and now it’s “cool” to keep your body hair, I also think it’s a thing now to dye armpit hair, though in my head you must need to bleach before dying it a bright colour (given how dark armpit hair is for the majority of us)..which must be nippy

My DD wanted to laser hers. (I have a laser and I’ve done mine) but I won’t lend her mine because I think it will be viewed as a ‘pick me’ thing in decades to come (I’d completely support her to CHOOSE that if she wanted, I just don’t think she can comprehend that now so it’s not a true choice. Also, she was about 13 when she asked me out of the blue. I may be massively overthinking it. I’m ND and camouflage is important…)

DD is 18 and at a traditional Russell Group Uni. She has never shaved a hair on her body and neither do I. The only person who has ever commented is my mother who is extremely rude about it. I believe dd currently has bright pink underarm hair. She also found her tribe at D&D club, drama society and various book and feminist groups. She says the majority don't shave anymore. Brava, frankly.

Anyone remember the post on here a few years ago about shaving your bits before labour, and someone saying the staff judge people and talk about it on labour wards? I remember thinking that was awful, if it's true. These days, apparently the natural look is back, but it should be up to every person to choose what, if anything, they shave. Men and women,
Even if she does get judged, it is not for parents to tell an adult daughter what she should do now, and people might mock about this or anything else, but it is up to her to decide.

I (50s) don't shave generally but i do armpits if exposing them and find i smell worse with shaven pits.

So it is sooooo ugly to be as nature made us??? What a pile of shit.

I don’t remember that thread but I’d be shocked if any medical staff judged women for being unshaven.

I watched one born every minute 15-20 years ago and most of the women on there had pubic hair.

I'm fascinated by this thread! Thinking back to my 1970s-80s youth, smooth hairless armpits were absolutely expected. But I was a rock-solid feminist and a bit of a hippie, so I never removed any body hair. I noticed that even some of my hippie-ish friends shaved their armpits and a few even shaved their legs. My hairiness was quite a political statement and did shock some people.

I'm so glad young women now don't give a damn!

I find it weird that people think there's something inherently unhygienic about body hair. An absolutely mental view.

Nope, don't mention it - if she wanted to, she would 😊 think uni is very acceptant of this and celebrate everyone's individual style.

Queen. Her body her choice.

Do you say the same to anyone who uses make-up, dyes their hair, wears nail varnish?