the body hair double standard

See my related posts on; chauvinist pigs, American Apparel double standards, and my first ever 'feminist' post on this blog, feminism, equal rights, double standards.

Disclaimer: This is not about shaming women who do decide to shave their body hair.

I am a feminist, I am an equalist and I am a humanitarian. So, it comes as no surprise that I am disgusted in the ideology that we as a generation are still faced with a patriarchal society. This post is dedicated to one of the many aspects of sexism that we as a civilisation are practically immune to - the body hair double standard.

The misconceptions linked to the word "feminist" are typically negative, which is something I doubt I will ever understand. "Misandrists" are completely different to a feminist. The literal definition for feminism is simply "the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities". Shouldn't that be celebrated rather than oppressed?

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At 16, as a longtime shaver, I felt like my mindset had been so screwed over from such a young age that I could only cleanse my palate by growing my hair out properly: legs, underarms, and all. Women with hair need to be a familiar sight, not the punchline to hilarious Chewbacca quips. (Credit)


As any of you who read my blog on a regular basis know, I am an equalist in all senses of the word. Be it for gender equality, race equality, sexuality equality, religious equality - whatever it may be - as I am under the impression that we, as humans, should be given the same rights. Surely that makes more sense than degrading those with pure human differences. One of these topics that I feel affects me personally is sexism, due to the fact that I have been oppressed, personally. And so have you. Females, for example, are typically shunned for natural things like going topless like a man in public (despite the fact that the only difference between a man's breast and a woman's breast is size and one being able to literally produce food), smaller pay for the same job, and even facing arrest for breastfeeding in public. Men also need feminism, for reasons like being given longer prison sentences than women for the same crime, and being subdued if he is a victim of abuse and assault from a female. But you know all this.

However, two years ago, my stance on feminism was completely different (and obscured). Nay, I didn't even have a stance on feminism. Until one day, I went to my sociology class, only for the teacher to say, "who's a feminist in here? Raise your hands". Did I put up my hand? No. And neither did anyone else. And why? Because the term "feminist" is considered to be a "dirty" word, suitable for only those who take vivid extremes to get their misandrist points across. No lie, I thought this was all there was to feminism. The question that I had burning in my brain was, "why does my teacher care? Feminism is pointless. And, you know, he's male". But, thankfully, then and there I was taught that feminism is simply for equal rights. No man-hating chauvinists, just people who want to end the oppression. Quickly, I raised my hand. So did 50% of the class. But the males of the class just sat there, twiddling their thumbs. My teacher had to explain that feminism is for everyone, of all genders, and that likewise it benefits everyone, all genders. So my male peers sat there until they were informed that feminism is for equal prison sentences, because objectification is never okay, because stereotypes also hurt men, because chivalry > subjugation, and because males can be subjected to physical abuse. The males raised their hands.

Body-shaming is all around us, all the time. It feels, though, as if it’s particularly acute in the summer. Your body has to be thin, tanned, hairless, free of cellulite, and your face must be impeccably made-up even in sweltering heat via specially-purchased summer beauty products. And you definitely aren’t allowed to sweat. For anyone who knows the tyranny of summertime body-shaming is entirely socially constructed. You can't have body hair and be attractive
Although it shouldn’t be, every time you subvert cultural norms about how a body should look in public, that’s a victory. (Credit)

Imagine a man walking out on the street, perhaps mid-summer time. His armpits are unshaved, along with his legs, because why should he shave? Body hair protects the skin, providing ventilation and defending the skin from bacteria and others things our pores don't want swimming inside them. Body hair is good for us. Shaving, not shockingly, isn't. Now, imagine that person is a female. Are they allowed to show even the blondest of armpit hair, or leg hair? No, of course not. That obviously means that they have "let themselves go" and "don't care about their appearance". It has nothing to do with the fact that body hair is better for them and they actually don't want to rip the hairs out of their arms and legs or glide a razor over their delicate skin. Obviously.

Why should society dictate what I do with my body hair, and make me feel bad about myself if I make the "wrong" choice? I want it to be an option, not a requirement, to remove my body hair.

During winter I decided to back off the razor whilst I was hidden behind my baggy jumpers and long-sleeved shirts, and yet the snide comments from whomever caught a glimpse of my underarms were designed to make me feel bad about myself until I conformed to society once again and shaved. Now I don't know about you guys but I personally think that that was awful behaviour for someone to have towards a fellow human. I don't want to shave, but I feel pressured into doing so when the treatment towards me from family to strangers changes dramatically from "oh aren't you a lovely well-educated young lady" to "ew, you dirty hippy feminazi"*.

Many women and girls grow up believing that body hair is unattractive and gross and should be removed from as many places as humanly possible at the first sign of its existence. Indeed, being hair-free is often seen as a sign of cisgender heterosexuality in women.
Source
To many people, a woman who doesn’t conform to certain presumptions about female appearance (say a cisgender woman who doesn’t remove her body hair or a transgender woman who does), is not seen as making a personal choice. Rather, it is assumed that they have somehow failed to comprehend basic expectations of public presentation. If not that, they are thought to be making a hostile political statement.
At the time, not shaving felt like telling the patriarchy to get off my body. (Credit)

I would stop shaving in the summer too, but peoples view of me would, to be frank, terrify me. I know I'd be facing names like "dirty hippy", and any other names that signify a stereotypical someone who doesn't shave, suggesting things that I also don't wash, or wear deodorant. I feel like I have to shave, like it's my obligation to be a respected member of society.

This is another typical case to which I can retort that "it would be different if I were a guy". Other examples include wearing make-up, dress codes that state you have to wear "girl clothing" like dresses and skirts and keep your shoulders covered because it "distracts the boys" (most ridiculous rule I've ever found to be in the American education system), to simple things like "you can't go to France on your own, you will get raped and murdered".

Of course, it's a woman's choice as to whether or not she wants to shave, and I support whatever option she chooses, however, now it has gotten to the point where we are blatantly ridiculed for having body hair. And that is just not right. The negative connotations that go with "hairy" women, are that they are extremely masculine and unclean. Men can shave, and sure they do, but when they decide to put the razor down, there are no adverse side effects, and they certainly won't be made fun of.

In all honesty, I just don't want people, let alone people I have never met before, judge me and have a negative opinion of me just because of what I want to do with my body hair. Why should I be embarrassed if I don't coat my body in chemicals and pull all he hairs out of my flesh, if I don't stain my skin with orange dye, if I don't eliminate any cellulite before I step out in bikini? Why can't I, like a man go topless when it's 30 degrees out? Spot the injustice.

The inequality infuriates me when it comes to body image.

There is, unquestionably, plenty of sense here. There is no reason at all, really, why women should be expected to shave their legs and under their arms and men not. Yet the link between femininity and hairlessness is so strong that even the most well-intentioned feminist can flinch a little at seeing photos of hairy gams and pits.(Credit)

Not too long ago there was a woman on British TV morning show, This Morning, who was being interviewed because of how "abnormal" she was for not shaving her armpits. What did my family think of this? "gross", "weird" and, get this, "unnatural", were just a few of the comments thrown about that morning.

Why can't we, as a society, just believe that body hair is natural, beautiful even, as there's nothing more pure than going au natural? And if you want to shave, go ahead, do it. Just don't shame others when they decide to break the norm.

So, because of this, when May rolls along I am going to force myself to wander around with unshaven pits for a total of 10 weeks, and record my experiences on this here blog - inspired by Arizona State University professor Breanne Fahs. Maybe one day in the future we will be desensitised to this sexism, or even discuss the blatant inequality in the history books. Let's hope that one day they think the abnormal thing is shaming women for their body hair, not the women being attacked for their personal decisions about their bodies. 

*An actual comment I have been subjected to

105 comments:

  1. This is such a great post! I like doing things like wearing makeup and shaving, but if someone else doesn't, that's their choice. Not mine, not anyone else's, it's theirs. It's honestly not a big deal if a girl decides to go without shaving, and I have how out society treats it like one.
    Amy xx

    Little Moon Dragon

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    1. Thank you, Amy! And thank you dude, I find it so hard to believe that an incredible amount of people believe in the exact opposite of what you just said, especially in these modern times!

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  2. To take pictures I use Canon EOS 5D mark 2, a 50 mm lens :-)

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  3. I agree with you on the shaving, but for going topless, I am sorry to say that I disagree. No, women should not be allowed to go topless in public. I understand that it is not fair that men are allowed to go topless in public, but I do not think our society is quite ready for women to walk the streets without tops. Within seconds after the first woman goes outside topless, a half dozen construction workers will appear out of nowhere and start yelling out assorted manly comments. Before the day is up, 10,000 women will be protesting to every newspaper in the country that men are treating them like nothing more than sex objects. And the day will continue downhill from there. I think our society needs to be a tad more advanced before we consider that facet of equality, you know?

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    1. I feel like either both genders should be able to walk around topless, or neither. And yet in societies that are a lot less advanced, the women can go around topless like the men and neither gender will bat an eyelid. It's a shame that the female body is so sexualised to the point that even our flesh on show will get shun upon. I do kind of see where you're coming from, but in a day that's all about equality I think we should be acting like it, you know?

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  4. People should do whatever they want to do, screw what people think :)

    Florals&Smiles
    Twitter

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  5. My parents are one of those people who would say that, "Morning, you have to shave your armpits, because if you do not do so it will make you look bad." Um, excuse me? Let me be mindful of my own beauty. The shaving of armpits isn't the only thing that bothers me. People want to reach equality, but the way that people often view things in life, change is going to happen slowly...

    xoxo Morning
    The Ups and Downs of My Not-So-Average Life

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    1. Exactly!! It's so sad that we actually get shamed for not doing something everyday that guys don't have to worry about.

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  6. I just shave my armpits because they sweat and make me smell, which especially sucks when I've just gotten out of the shower. I don't touch any other body hair besides that. And when a guy says "ew shave your legs" I simply reply back, "ew, shave yours" because to be completely and utterly honest, male body hair truly does disgust me. I don't even like when they have too much facial hair. This sounds like overly sarcastic feminist talk to make a point, but you can seriously ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you that I find guys with beards very unnatractive and that excessive male leg hair creeps me out. I mean seriously it's like if a mosquito landed on their legs it wouldn't take any blood because it would get too tangled in their leg hair.

    (And you can be raped and murdered right in your own home here in America.)

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    1. With the armpit hair thing, it shouldn't smell unless you're doing something wrong! It's just like with head hair, as long as you wash often then nothing bad should happen.
      I love what you said about the "ew shave yours" thing because it couldn't be more true! I don't know about how I feel about hair on both genders in an aesthetic way, though. Just that whatever one gender does should be okay for the other too.

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  7. Really thought provoking post. Love your blog, by the way. =)
    ~Adaline

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    1. Thank you so much Adaline! I really appreciate that c:

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  8. I love your posts like this. Always gives me so much to think about. I'm ashamed to say that I shave and I feel horrible when I don't! I'd find it odd if a women had hairy armpits. Even though I know she can do what she wants and it doesn't really matter to me what she does. But society can really ruin us, I guess. Doom.

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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    1. You shouldn't feel ashamed to say that you shave! It's all personal preference. I don't think we should shame those who do, just like we shouldn't shame those who don't, you know?

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  9. Great post! I have to shave every day because my hair grows so fast. But there are times when I just walk around not giving a damn about it all.

    Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Bloglovin’

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    1. Ahh yeah I get you! Surely you'd get tired of it day in, day out, though?

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  10. Great post! I wait for my blog dear, follow me and i Follow you back, kisses

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  11. This was a really interesting and engaging post, thanks so much for posting this. Society is messed up to be honest! x

    www.chontellelouise.blogspot.com.au
    come visit my blog if you like <3 xx

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    1. Thank you Chontelle! I know I know, it kind of sucks.

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  12. Very inspiring post, dear! xoxo

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  13. That gif's so silly ;P
    But the post is very meaningful-I say whatever you feel like, if it's fine with you, it got to be fine with me

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    1. Why can't everyone share this same attitude? It's like, hey men you can do what you want. Don't want to shave? Good on you. But females? You don't want to shave? Please excuse me whilst I shame you and make you feel bad about yourself until you do.

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  14. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I don't shave my body hair as often as I should (doesn't bother me because I don't show the areas often) but when people ask me why, they assume it's because I'm doing a movement against a patriarchy cause I'm a feminist. No! It's cause I'm lazy!

    xx Bash | Bash Says Hey | bloglovin'

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    1. You're welcome! And yeah, when I don't shave it's literally just because I can't be bothered. But then when people shame me for it I'm like, if I was a male then you wouldn't care, you know?

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  15. Very inspiring post, dear!
    xoxo

    http://www.vamospapear.com/

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  16. Amy, this hair thing hits close to home. I'm pretty hairy but my hair is light and I don't feel like shaving everything off. I'm pretty used to some snarky comments but I try to live with it, cause I hate shaving, waxing even more!

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    1. Ugh ouch, waxing >< The snarky comments suck.

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  17. I love, love, love this post. It's very inspiring. I do shave and only because I want to, not because I 'feel' like I 'should' do it because of what people think. I agree with everything you're saying here and thanks for putting together such a meaningful post :)

    Riikii - www.iridescentnoire.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, thank you! I shave if I feel like it too, but if I'm lazy and am like "so what I don't feel like it today" then I get shamed, which is slightly ridiculous.

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  18. This is such an amazing post! You are absolutely right with these things you said, and I hope that the world will see it one day! It atleast opened my eyes! I consider myself a feminist, but this articular topic was always kind of strange for me, so I loved reading this since it made me actually think about it trough out! I personally shave and I will keep doing that, but I respect everyone's one opinions and decisions - everyone should do exactly what they want with their body (exceot harming it in any way of course) - it is their own body after all! Seriously, big thanks for this great post! xx

    www.aduaa.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you so much Anna. I'm so insanely glad that I managed to get my point across, and even inspire people like you to think about this subject c: Praise it, people can do what they want with their body hair, shame-free.

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  19. I totally agreed with you.
    xx
    Blog: adonadasushi.blogspot.pt
    Nova página: facebook.com/blogdadonadasushi

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  20. Although I might not follow the same ways, I think your are so brave and right to do this. Maybe someday our society will be totally equal, thanks to all the little changes we the as women (and to man too). Congratulations and thank you, thank you for it. Have a lovely day,
    Vera

    The Flash Window | Bloglovin

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    1. It's still insane to me that the world is so unequal, and that one gender can do something freely whereas the other has to be shamed. Like ??? Where is that logic, you know? And thank you C:

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  21. I agree with everything you said here, why should we judge another's person's decision just because it's currently.. different? Great post!

    www.drownedinfashiondreams.blogspot.it

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    1. Exactly! Equality makes more sense than what we're at now.

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  22. honestly I don't like body hair. I don't think it has something to do with sexual issues. I don't like to go around with body hair and not to please men.
    xxx
    mari
    www.ilovegreeninspiration.com

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    1. Exactly, it's a personal choice right? We still wouldn't shame others for not shaving c:

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  23. Wow! Such beautiful thoughts. I used experience this issues with this at work. They claimed body hair was unhygienic, only on women; therefore, you would be ridiculed or even sent home if noticed. All of these double standards have to come to an end.

    ♥ | http://www.connect-the-cloths.com | xoxo
    http://blogspotter.co/connect-the-cloths

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    1. You literally would have been sent home for body hair? Wow, that is so infuriating! I can't believe that it would have been informed that strongly... wow.

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  24. It's a great text. It makes me happy that girls so young like you can see feminism now as something that can help us. Your sociology teacher is a great teacher. It's really sad that so many people see feminism as something to be ashamed of, or afraid of. People don't really understand that feminism is for everyone, that it is a good thing, leading us towards the future.
    Body hair should be a personal choice, not a rule. We are allowed to choose if we want to shave or not and nobody is allowed to make us feel bad about our choices.
    I do believe that feminism has a huge fight ahead, but we can win, if we never give up on our beliefs.
    Congratulations on your ideas.

    Ps: Thanks for the comment on my blog. I noticed you said you're trying to learn Spanish, but I'm sorry to say that I'm writing in English and Portuguese on my blog, not Spanish. It's a common mistake, don't worry.

    Xx

    http://tamodado.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Mariana. And he was, one of the most inspiring people I know.
      Exactly! Being ashamed and afraid of wanting to be treated equal is kind of ridiculous though, right? You've phrased this so well, you get me exactly.
      Thank you again.
      And darn! Fair enough c:

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  25. THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS.

    This is what annoys me so much. Men are encouraged to grow hair because it makes them seem masculine and more 'grown up' whereas women are told their natural bodies are shameful and are forced to stay young and fragile by shaving off their hair and thereby becoming more 'childlike' again. It pisses me off so much.

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    1. "are told their natural bodies are shameful" is such a powerful line for me. That's exactly it, and yet people call it unnatural and gross.. Excuse me whilst I just screenshot your comment and send it to everybody ever.

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  26. This was such an interesting post to read through, I'm with you on wanting it to be an option and not a requirement. Personally, I will forever continue to remove unwanted body hair, however that is my personal choice and I wouldn't dream of pushing that on anyone else. It's incredible that women's bodies are still not entirely their own in this sense!

    On an entirely different note, I hope you have a lovely weekend and thanks for noticing my new blog design :)

    Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice

    x

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    1. You are so right! Maybe one day our bodies will be our own, but eh, one can only dream. Also, you're welcome! It looks great c:

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  27. I love this post, very well written. In winter I basically don't shave and I am lucky enough to be surrounded by girls who completely relate etc. But I do have a feeling if boys I knew saw they would be disgusted. It really is a double standard and its unfair. Women should chose what they want to do with their own bodies. Summer is the worst time i agree x

    http://gingerphoebe.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you so much Phoebe. It's winter in the UK now, so I don't tend to shave because I'm wearing jumpers and whatnot - who's going to see to make me feel bad about it? It is such a double standard, thank you for getting it.

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  28. Oh very interesting post sweetie
    xx

    www.sakuranko.com

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  29. I really enjoyed reading this, you are a brilliant writer. I'm proud to be a feminist, gone are the days of women bowing down to men! I need to shave though, I just don't like hair ha! Thanks for your comments on my blog, your blog is great, will give you a follow :) x

    Kay
    Idreamofcoco.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you so, so much. Same here, and yet some of these comments are saying that people around them still consider it to be shameful, which is sad. It's such a personal thing, I don't know why others see the need to tell us that our hair is too noticeable, right?

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  30. Wow what a teacher! I went to an all girl school, religious at that and I can't think of a time were we were encouraged or spoke about feminism. Don't get me wrong, maybe we did and I don't recall it (maybe it wasn't spoken relevantly or deeply enough for anything to sink into me either). I had a pretty sinking feeling as I started reading into this because I knew were you were going with this, that it would lead to body hair and I was scared because I for one, hate it. Reading on I felt a little better in that feeling of mine because yes, this has probably been programmed into me and why it creeps me out. I hate body hair, on both women AND men. I really hate hair on guys, anywhere. Chest, legs and underarms *shudders*. That's just me I guess. And I feel bad for feeling this way sometimes because this has been a ragging debate of late. I believe we are equal and I also hate the double standards in society, especially about women. I say do what you like, if that means having hair, so be it. In the end it doesn't effect my time on this planet one bit. What irritates me the most are those stupid memes and FB posts going around about guys "punching above their weight". They really piss me off. Why aren't they female versions of this out there? Huh? You never see the opposite popping up do we? Never celebrated (whatever is to celebrate for anyway). Girls have to be perfect, groomed. Not too much make-up but still need make-up. Enough to look natural. Must be slim and dressed to the nines, dressed in designer gear to be considered acceptable. You have to look a certain way, act a certain way and all that other garbage. I wonder if we'll ever break free from it? I wonder if we'll ever see significant enough change in our lifetimes at least?

    This was so beautifully written. I don't really know what or where my token self is or has gone. I've been so overwhelmed and all over the place I've really lost a sense of the real me-again. I feel like to find it I need to travel, because traveling (if your heart is open) really opens your eyes and ears to what is inside and who you are etc. And I think I keep using the same excuses, waiting for the same circumstances and experiences to find myself and find that spark again. I need to stop waiting for that plane ride or adventure because even though it would be completely liberating and enlightening it probably won't give me exactly what I'm looking for either. I'd like to think I can change, but humans and change are opposing forces at times and I'll no doubt continue waiting for that moment I can get away.

    Sxx
    www.daringcoco.com

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    1. Wow, first of all, can I say that this is the longest comment that anyone has ever left on this here blog, and I love it! Thank you so, so much, it's such an insanely awesome feeling when people leave this much positive feedback c:
      I had never been taught of or encouraged to become a feminist before that one teacher, so it's no surpass really that so many people are growing up with negative views of it.
      The body hair thing is completely subjective, and I just used it as a main factor to prove my point, because it is one of the most prominent things that women are discouraged from, whilst men are treated no different, or treated with praise. You've worded this perfectly, and I hope that one day we'll be able to just live how we want and not have to struggle to fit into the moulds that society has rolled out for us, but unfortunately, I don't think that that's going to happen anytime soon. Especially with the lack of support and education that people are putting into feminism.
      Wow. Sonia, that is amazing, and I am not even kidding. I know exactly how you feel, and yet it's really hard some times, but you can find yourself again. You can change what you don't like, and work on what you do. You need time, that's all. You can do it.

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  31. Cool of you to discuss this on your blog! I love your passion!

    www.jeannechristinemarie.blogspot.com

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  32. Hi Amy-Anne, thank you so much for asking how I was doing! So sweet of you :) I'm doing great, just got back from a trip and it's been fun but so so busy lately. Been feeling super undecided about blogging, but I still love reading blogs like yours :)
    I definitely agree with this "double standard" with body hair. Whether or not you choose to get rid of body hair is definitely your choice!

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    1. No problem! Just remember we'll all still be here from whenever you take breaks from blogging, because god knows we all need them.
      The choice is the most important thing! The ability to have an option, and not be shamed for it, you know?

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  33. Interesting post, thanks for sharing!
    xx

    http://losaway.blogspot.com

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  34. This is such a fantastic post! I couldn't have put it better myself. Thank you for writing it!!! We've all heard of society expectations to be thin and skinny, how women should wear tops, not to breast-feed in public - like all you have said - but I've never given much thought to shaving. It has never occurred to me. I guess I've just always gone with the flow. Another sheep in the world. But I applaud you for your bravery of going it natural and coming out and talking about such a controversial topic. You are so right. Shaving is unnatural and just another form of discrimination and social expectation. I wish you well with your 10 weeks and I am very excited to hear how it goes. Good luck Amy!
    Marian ^_^

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    1. Marian, thank you so much. I didn't end up writing the 10 weeks post, but since you've been the only one to ask after it, I think I should let you know that it went okay. Every now and then I would shave my armpits (for an event, for example), but mainly I went au-natural. My parents were the main people to negatively comment on it, along with my anti-feminist aunt, but nobody else noticed. I didn't sway my arms in the air, so nobody really saw. But the people who did, my family, would talk about it a lot, and be pretty rude. You know when even your own family discourages you from it, that it's a bad situation and social conditioning.

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  35. You are so well-formulated; I really enjoyed reading this post! While I agree with almost everything you say, I have to admit that I really hate having body hair and I shave most of it off - but that's just the way, I like my body and I totally think that it's up to yourself what you want to do with your body. I also feel how much negativity there is around the term "feminist", but you explained it very well! I actually didn't know that feminism was also about equal prison sentences.

    There's this really annoying girl in my class and she doesn't shave her armpits nor her legs, so every time I see someone who doesn't shave, it reminds me of her, which is definitely NOT a good thing. I'm sure, I would feel different about body hair if a nice person or one of my friends didn't shave, but they all do and so does my mother and all other women who affect my everyday life. But I really try to get used to it, because no one should feel forced to shave their body hair, just because society tells them to do so.

    Very good post, it made me think about a lot of things!

    Find my newest post about my trip to Berlin HERE!
    Hugs from Denmark x
    Mathilde | MATHILDE JULIE

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    1. Thank you - I was worried that I may have come across preachy or judgey, which totally wasn't my intention, so I'm glad that it didn't sound like that. It's all a personal choice, but when people are rude and shame others for what they personally feel comfortable in, then that's when it gets a bit out of hand.
      The negativity associated with the word "feminist" is ridiculous, isn't it? It's just like, ew she wants to be equal - not inferior to - men, what a horrible annoying person. Like ???? And of course, it's literally just gender equality, nothing more, nothing less c:
      It's interesting how the people who bring us up and surround us on a day to day basis have such a big effect on our own opinions. I know someone who's mother is actually quite anti-feminist, and she's always like how can you be that, don't you want equal rights? Don't you want equal pay? Do you want to be treated as inferior, and be constantly ruled and belittled by men? Because that's what anti-feminism is about, really.

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  36. You have such a wide knowledge to make a post about all of this. i can feel you. I don't shave my legs just because everyone does it. And for some reason, I don't really like to shave my legs because I don't think it's a nice idea. I don't try about everything on the hype. Of course, I have my own opinion as well. I agree with what you have written here and I'm proud that you were able to say everything here. :)

    Have a great day!

    xoxo,
    SHAIRA
    www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Shaira. When I went to Greece a couple weeks back I didn't shave my legs, and nobody said anything, although I did get some funny looks and prolonged stares - like, guys, it's not that insane to not shave.

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  37. Haha this gif is hilarious :D

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  38. Sounds like an amazing teacher! Definitely gave me a new take on feminism. Great post! I loved reading it.

    -Mariah-Ruthel
    http://mariahruthel.blogspot.ca/

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    1. Oh really?? That's so awesome, I'm so glad that I managed to inspire one person to think more about the whole subject! c:

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  39. You go girl!This post is beautiful and I love you for writing this.I come from a conservative Asian country and I've often experienced the chauvinism and body shaming-sometimes even personally.I am a pretty open minded person and I firmly go by the fact that everyone should have equal rights.

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    1. Ahh thank you!! I imagine you experience a lot of stereotyping over there. It's so awesome that you've managed to keep your own opinion whilst having these other opinions flow around you c:

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  40. This post is really thought-provoking and it is a good point of discussion. I always thought that whether it was for men or women, shaving is just a good form of hygiene, but you know, there could be other reasons to it as well. Perhaps it also has something to do with physical attraction, maybe men feel more physically attracted to women with less hair too. It is true that this issue seemingly only appeals to women and may appear like a gender bias, yet there are so many factors that need to be accounted for as well. Great post for discussion. :)

    By the way, I've just nominated you for the Liebster Award. You might have been nominated before, or if you don't wish to complete it, it's alright as well. Have a lovely day. :)

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    1. Thank you so much Dian! The hygiene thing is kind of subjective, like just so long as you wash and keep yourself clean, then hygiene shouldn't be a problem. Just like your head hair would smell after ages of not washing, it's the same thing - just keep to basic hygiene and you should be okay.
      Also hey, thanks! I don't know if I will be able to post about that any time soon, but it's nice that you considered me! Thank you c:

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  41. Great post my dear :)

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  42. I hardly wear makeup and stopped shaving forever. I used to be a little self-conscious about having extremely hairy legs and underarms, but I'm starting to careless now. Especially when people are rude about it. Cool post.

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    1. I guess once you've been doing it for a while, the negative feedback and self-consciousness start to get lesser and lesser until you get to the careless stage like you said. And you know what? That's kind of awesome! You've kept to your own ideals, and that's very admirable c:

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  43. It's all a personal thing, exactly.

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  44. I absolutely agree with you! I'm actually a feminist and I love how people like you can feel so free!💁🏾
    Elizabeth of Crises and Graces

    http://advicebycrisesandgraces.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

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  45. Che post interessante ..un bacione grandissimo Manu

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  46. A very interesting post !!! I
    We'll be in touch!!!!

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