Several years ago, I attended a V-Day event in the Chicago suburbs. For those unfamiliar, V-Day is a worldwide movement aimed at ending violence against women, with events hosted every Valentine’s Day featuring speakers and various activities.
On that particular evening, a young woman recited a passage from Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues, which began with the compelling assertion: “You cannot love a vagina if you do not love hair.” The monologue continued with a vivid account of how her husband pressured her to remove all the hair from her intimate area, leading to discomfort and ultimately infidelity when she resisted his demands.
At the time, I didn’t dwell much on the “love hair” concept—I was just relieved I hadn’t brought my preteen daughter along. However, the essence of that statement resonated with me, especially the closing line: “You have to love hair in order to love the vagina. You can’t pick the parts you want.”
The Brazilian Wax Dilemma
This brings me to the topic of Brazilian waxes. I first learned about them through a celebrity, Hannah Blake, who claimed her waxing experience was life-changing. Intrigued, I researched what a Brazilian wax involved and immediately dismissed it as one of her quirky trends. To my surprise, Brazilian waxes are quite popular, and I genuinely don’t understand the appeal.
It’s not that the thought of enduring such pain deters me—I’ve gone through childbirth without any pain relief, so I know I can handle a bit of discomfort. The real issue for me is the final outcome.
Why would a grown woman desire her vulva to resemble that of a child? When I think of a full Brazilian, that’s the first image that comes to mind. I understand some choose to leave a “landing strip,” but I’m referring to the complete removal of hair.
I’m not an advocate for letting it all grow wild either; I think some grooming is sensible. Yet, I draw the line at complete hairlessness. It just feels unsettling to me.
Societal Influences and Personal Choices
Moreover, I came across an interesting article from The Atlantic discussing this trend, which indicated my age plays a role in my discomfort. At 41, I realize that hairless genitalia is primarily a trend among those under 30, heavily influenced by the adult film industry.
As if the overwhelming presence of adult content online isn’t troubling enough, it’s now encouraging women to remove all their pubic hair, making us resemble prepubescent girls, which is just bizarre.
Practical Considerations
There are also practical reasons I shy away from a full Brazilian wax:
- Cost: It’s rather expensive. I refuse to spend $50 to $100 for this kind of pain. I’d rather invest that money in a relaxing massage.
- Privacy: I have no interest in having a stranger—who isn’t my doctor—getting that close to my private areas. I can’t fathom why anyone would want to perform such a job.
- Gender Disparity: Lastly, there seems to be a glaring absence of discussion regarding men removing their pubic hair. While it might occur in certain circles, it’s certainly not as prevalent as Brazilian waxing among women. If it’s acceptable for women but not for men, why is that? Why are we always pressured to change our bodies so drastically?
Everyone is entitled to their comfort levels, of course. For me, there is a significant difference between a bikini wax, which allows for some modesty, and a Brazilian wax that feels invasive. Grooming is one thing, but complete removal is another. If you choose this route, it should stem from your own desires and comfort—not because you feel it’s necessary to appeal to someone else’s standards of cleanliness or attractiveness.
One of the perks of aging is shedding the need to follow fleeting trends. You do you, but I’ll stick with my naturally mature look, thank you very much.
Further Reading
For more insights on home insemination and related topics, feel free to check out this article on Intracervical Insemination. Also, if you’re interested in at-home options, Make A Mom offers excellent resources. For further information about pregnancy, visit Healthline.
In summary, I find the trend toward complete hair removal unsettling, as it often seems influenced by societal pressures rather than personal choice. Aging has allowed me to embrace my own preferences without succumbing to fads.