Why and when was it decided that women should shave their legs and armpits?

Who cares? If they left it, it would be gross anyways. =)

@randy and astrochuck——run, run, while you still can…...I will now watch and lurk and read as you will get your nuts chewed off now…...

See; http://www.fluther.com/disc/18888/why-do-women-shave-their-body-hair/
See: http://www.fluther.com/disc/17494/since-when-and-why-is-it-a-cultural-norm-for-women/

(@allengreen: so, you flunked out of charm school?)

@gail- Thanks. Those were just posted a week and a month ago? Where the hell was I looking? Never saw those. Anyway, margeryred answered my question on the second link so I gave her some Lurve. The first one didn’t really address the same question, as to when.
One of these days I’ll stop being so damn lazy and learn to use the search feature.

There are many free (female) spirits today in US who don’t. They have partners (either male or female) who don’t give a rat’s a$$. The Amish and Mennonite women don’t either. I used to live near PA. Dutch country and noticed. Everyone in those communities seemed content, also. DIdn’t Marina talk about lice and nits and crab infestations in the brothels?

There are another wave of newcomers; I am seeing a flood of questions each day – most of which I skip, but it can be overwhelming.

I don’t have an answer to your question, but I am very glad nair was invented. It’s so much easier!

Unless you have sensitive skin and break out in horrible rashes.

i have been ambivalent about trying Nair. I do have sensitive skin, and I don’t like the idea of chemicals strong enough to remove hair . how long have you been using it scamp?

Legs and armpits only? I think it’s also been decided that women are expected to shave their “girl parts.”

And I don’t disagree with any of these expected social norms. Much more attractive.

i’m a guy and i say women who shave i find them very attractive.

Most Americans are not fans of women that look they Don King in a headlock or leglock.
The shaven style probably came after women’s bathing suits started to actually show some flesh.

girlofscience said: I think it’s also been decided that women are expected to shave their “girl parts.”

That creeps me out. It looks prepubescent. A little landscaping is nice, maybe, but why would you want (or want your partner) to look like a ten-year-old?

ten-year old that may be a little…..eh.

@girlofscience;When you say “It’s been decided.” who is the decider? I doubt that “it” is a universal truth.

@macbean, I’m with you. I dated an Aussie lady that had all the hair god gave her, and she was awesome. It showed confidence on her part. I’ll bet that the longer a woman is married, the hairier….

@MacBean: I find it really annoying/offensive when people say that girls who shave their girl parts look prepubescent. People don’t say this about guys who shave their face. (“OMG, a guy without a beard??? Wouldn’t you feel like you are kissing a little kid???”) No one thinks that. Some people shave their face, and some don’t. The same is true with girl parts, I guess. I prefer the appearance and feel of shaven girl parts, and it has nothing to do with pedophilia or looking like a little kid.

@gailcalled: I was more using the language of the question, reference that the OP stated in the question how “it was decided.”

i’m not in this. o_o
maybe later.

as i stand on my opinion way back, attractive.

I’ve always referred to it as the “Jon Bonet” look. I think it’s just a little too creepy for me. I’ve always wondered if the people attracted to that look might harbor some subconscious desire for pre-pubescent girls.

I pondered wether it was a matter of a. wearing certain types of suits and underwear and b. easier access for certain pleasures.

My preference would be at least a bit of upkeep, or more and it has nothing to do with a subconscious or conscious pre-pubescent desire, I think it has to do with some OCD and clean issues. That is on me.

@AstroChuck: No, seriously. It has nothing to do with that. Like I said in an earlier post, that would be like saying that girls who prefer men with clean-shaven faces actually have some kind of prepubescent fantasy. That’s ridiculous. It’s just a matter of preference in appearance and feel.

@girlofscience—You don’t think people who prefer clean-shaven faces to those with facial hair also prefer younger men to older ones? I’ve definitely noticed that trend when it comes to the people my friends are attracted to…

@MacBean: Actually, not at all. I know this single example could just be a multivariate outlier but I personally prefer clean shaven OLDER men. Among my friends, there is no correlation between the amount of facial hair my friends prefer on their men and the age they desire.

@girlofscience—Hm… People are fascinating. Takes all kinds to make the world go ‘round.

I dig it. It’s not prepubescent, it’s clean. I do my part to keep from looking like a yeti because all that hair is kinda gross. I thank “them” for making it the socially acceptable standard.

I’m not saying people (guys or girls) who don’t clean the lawn are wrong or bad. People can do whatever makes them happy. I do it though and I like it when others that I get “close” to do the same.

Well said Randy

Hey it’s a free land people can do what they want, they can choose to look like bigfoot, (perhaps they might get famous…heh :) )or be this clean shaven man. their choice.

I digg manly women

ewww.

that is why I fluther—I go where the manly women are….here!

manly in mind or body??

i’m just “trying to push somebody’s buttons”.

Its totally not hot to let your stuff grow. I mean when ur man rubs ur body he wants to feel smooth skin and when ur bein intimate he doesn’t wanna see hair everywhere…thats my opinion. However there are some guys who like hair on girls.

Probably a combination of several factors including simply being able to.
Good blades are expensive tools before cheap manufacturing existed, only the most wealthy would be able to afford using them on body parts that in most cultures were rarely seen until recently.