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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

“Manscaping”? (Male hair removal from pubic area)

87 replies

Inamuddle36 · 22/09/2023 15:15

Hi — I am old and possibly out of touch so I need some perspective. I don’t want to give all the details but need to know whether there is now a trend for men to remove hair from their pubic area or whether the desire to do so is indicative of body discomfort/dysphoria. I have known many men over the years and never knew one who wished to remove pubic hair. Is it even safe to use hair removal cream from such sensitive cream? Is this a new fad or have I just missed it before?

OP posts:
ClaraBourne · 23/09/2023 13:26

I definitely remember the 'back sack snd crack' waxing trend but I never encountered one. 😆

IslaWinds · 23/09/2023 16:26

Oblomov23 · 23/09/2023 12:20

I'm not keen. A trim is fine, but to be hair free is not natural. Originally porn, Unfortunately it's become more popular, many runners, swimmers, most professional football players hair free.

Porn wasn’t the origin :(
Athletes were going body hair free when porn still had hairy men with 1970s sideburns and moustaches.
Similarly women were shaving when porn still had women with 1970s full bushes.

Many southern countries since medieval times had everyone body hair free because that was how you avoided having body lice.

OneMoreStepAlongTheRoadIGo · 23/09/2023 16:37

Wow its so sad to read that some posters/the next generation think "public hair is grim" or it "halts proceedings."

That's a huge step from "personal preference" to having bought into it actually being " grim" and anyone with it is revolting.

I think that's just so sad and wish we could have stopped that culture change.

incognito50me · 23/09/2023 16:48

I'm sure, just like hairstyles, it'll swing the other way at some point, @OneMoreStepAlongTheRoadIGo .

Ivebeentogeorgia · 23/09/2023 16:51

Weird to say it’s laughter inducing?! My dh is 36 and often shaves or trims. I also prefer to shave. Neither of us would laugh at each other- we just respect each others personal preference

OneMoreStepAlongTheRoadIGo · 23/09/2023 17:13

It's not really just like hairstyles is it though.

It's never been the fashion for everyone to shave their heads or you think they are grim.

Or need to spend money having it done professionally or you're "grim".

Hairstyles still personal choice.

How we have demonised public hair is completely mysterious to me as it was just normal when I was dating!

Original poster
Inamuddle36 · 23/09/2023 19:27

@OneMoreStepAlongTheRoadIGo i agree with you. Women fought a long time — still do — to be free from societal pressures about physical appearance. As ai said before (but know others disagree) I think it is sad to see young men now accepting similar pressures.

OP posts:
SplendidUtterly · 23/09/2023 19:43

If they are into their appearance and keep their hair nice, facial hair neat or clean shaved, like to keep fit, nice clothes etc chances are they trim or shave their pubic hair to some degree.

ohdamnitjanet · 23/09/2023 19:50

Nothing to be concerned about, my ds is 24 and I think it’s quite common, for hygiene reasons as well as appearance. I hate it on anyone, there’s a neat trim and there’s looking like a porn actor.
Had a few smirks when he’s told me he’s gone too far by mistake though…..

newhere24 · 23/09/2023 19:56

I’m almost 50, trim and (partial) shave/hair removal is the norm among the sporty men I know. Both gay and straight. If you sweat a lot (sporty!) it can be more hygienic.

TooBigForMyBoots · 23/09/2023 19:59

My DS manscapes, as does his dad who's in his late 50s. My next-door neighbour's partner removes all of his body hair. He's late 50s too.

I don't care what people do with their own hair.🤷‍♀️

southernlife55 · 23/09/2023 20:00

ElFupacabra · 22/09/2023 15:22

Shaven men are vomit inducing for me. Or laughter inducing. Either way, not having the desired effect.

Yes this!!!!!!

anomaly2 · 23/09/2023 20:54

Helenahandkart · 22/09/2023 16:32

I think it is a thing now.
Personally I find it repellant. My DH does it sometimes and it feels prickly and gross. I wish everyone (male and female) would just leave it the hell alone.

Why are you concerning yourself with what the wider population does with their pubic hair?

anomaly2 · 23/09/2023 20:57

Inamuddle36 · 22/09/2023 18:56

Thank you for the observations.
my “concern” is in response to pp comments about possible influence from porn as well as from concern about possible body insecurity.

in response to pp question — I would be concerned if a teenage girl were waxing or using creams to remove all pubic hair (as opposed to straggly but visible from around swimsuit). And I do think the risk could be greater for men if they were removing hair from highly sensitive areas.

notnsure what to do now. Mention something to my son? Or ignore? (I saw hair removal cream and nappy rash cream — not snooping, lest anyone ask!) so assume he might have an u comfortable rash as a result of applying the cream.
would want to say something only to open avenue for conversation if (a) he is in discomfort due to rash or (b) he is feeling societal pressure to remove hair.

Why would you be concerned about teenage girls removing their pubic hair? Are you concerning yourself with what they do with their leg and armpit hair? Upper lip? Forearms? Some ethnicities are really hairy and girls literally remove everything from brows down as they don't like thick body hair. Why in heavens name are people weirded out by pubic hair removal. Women can do what they want

anomaly2 · 23/09/2023 21:00

Oblomov23 · 23/09/2023 12:20

I'm not keen. A trim is fine, but to be hair free is not natural. Originally porn, Unfortunately it's become more popular, many runners, swimmers, most professional football players hair free.

Where did you get the impression 'natural' was something people aspired to be. Have you seen the hair styles teenage boys are rocking? Women shave pits, legs and everything inbetween. I don't think 'natural' is a desired look by anyone much

anomaly2 · 23/09/2023 21:02

OneMoreStepAlongTheRoadIGo · 23/09/2023 16:37

Wow its so sad to read that some posters/the next generation think "public hair is grim" or it "halts proceedings."

That's a huge step from "personal preference" to having bought into it actually being " grim" and anyone with it is revolting.

I think that's just so sad and wish we could have stopped that culture change.

And many a poster here has said removing hair is weird, unnatural and looking like a plucked chicken is revolting. Goes both ways.

milkysmum · 23/09/2023 21:06

I would imagine a teenage boy would be mortified if his mum started up a conversation about his pubic hair grooming. I really don't think you need to be having this conversation with him at all.

Helenahandkart · 23/09/2023 21:10

anomaly2 · 23/09/2023 20:54

Why are you concerning yourself with what the wider population does with their pubic hair?

Show quote history

Because I object to multinational corporations making us feel ugly or unhygienic just so that they can sell us their shitty products.
I feel the same way about all body hair. I think it looks nicer left as it is.

dikwad · 23/09/2023 21:14

@Helenahandkart But I don't! So, I'd like to keep the multi-National corporations hair removal products please!

TheFairyCaravan · 23/09/2023 21:23

I’ve been with DH for over 30yrs and he’s always shaved, but then so have I. It’s nothing to do with porn, it’s personal preference.

We’ve 2 grown up sons, one removes everything, the other doesn’t. Again personal preference.

ballsdeep · 23/09/2023 21:30

My friends were telling me this when we were out for Sunday lunch. One told me her husband was a bald down there as the day he was born. It put me right off my stuffing ball I can tell you!!

FedUpStill · 23/09/2023 21:51

About 3 years ago I didn't have my PE kit. Had to do the PE lesson in just my knickers 😳 Pubic hair on show to anyone who looked 😳 Ever since then I've shaved

anomaly2 · 23/09/2023 22:13

FedUpStill · 23/09/2023 21:51

About 3 years ago I didn't have my PE kit. Had to do the PE lesson in just my knickers 😳 Pubic hair on show to anyone who looked 😳 Ever since then I've shaved

Wtf? How old were you? What sort of fucked up school did you attend?

FedUpStill · 23/09/2023 22:14

Was 16. Yes, the school was fucked up. Was so embarrassing

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