Pubic hair removal has been around since the ancient Egyptians and Grecian prostitutes had to be identified by their profession and maintain hygiene.
Grooming down below is a personal preference and an individual’s decision. No one should feel pressured either way by a second party, and even less so by society. Since about 1980, America decided we had to remove every strand of hair that wasn’t on our heads, and that’s not necessarily a good thing.
We have hair for a reason.
The pressures are especially prominent for young women in today’s culture, where a hairy body is regarded as primitive and unattractive. Since the rise of bikinis and porn, visible hair on a woman has become deviant. Mainstream shaving and waxing took charge as women imitated the hairless trends seen in pornography.
But I’m sure the plethora of male porn fanatics had nothing to do with influencing their ladies to shed the strands.
Though less prominent, guys also face these pressures on both ends of the down-under dilemma. A hairy body is seen as masculine, but too much is unappealing. In recent years, it has become acceptable and even desirable for men to take “extra care” of themselves, which may have previously been seen as only feminine.
Jane Pham, owner of a hair removal salon in California, says manscaping has skyrocketed to 60 percent from a mere 5 percent of his business in the past few years, according to a December 2010 article in Cosmopolitan.
But we are far removed from the shaggy ‘70s culture, and the times, they are a changin’.
Aside from the social benefits, hair removal may be somewhat beneficial physically.
The biological purpose of “down there” hair, and most hair in general, is there to protect against bacteria. But now that we bathe regularly and wear underwear, that isn’t completely necessary anymore.
Hair around the genitals, nevertheless, does reduce friction during intercourse, and chafing is anything but sexy.
Another obvious consideration for a sexual partner to be groomed is for the occasion of oral sex, if one so chooses. No one wants a mouthful of hair. There’s really not much more to say about that.
As long as basic precautions are taken, or if two monogamous, STD-free individuals are stroking skin, perfectly-waxed privates should prove just peachy.
There are many popular ways to rid of unwanted wool, but some may pose potential health threats. While most methods aren’t harmful, per se, some can leave small tears in the skin that become susceptible to infection and extremely vulnerable to STDs. Just a heads up.
Unless you’re willing to take out a second mortgage for laser hair removal, keeping the privates constantly prickle-free is nearly impossible. Shaving often causes irritation, razor burn and ingrown hairs, not to mention the fact that the more you do it, the more you have to continue doing so. Waxing usually provides results for about two weeks, but is unfortunately too pricey and painful for most.
Biologically, pubic hair is thought to help disperse pheromones produced by sweating. So if it isn’t significantly bothersome when things are low-key, it’s probably best to keep it au naturel until playtime.
No one should feel pressured to have things a particular way, based solely on what appears to be normal or mainstream. Nevertheless, titivating your troubling tresses can be beneficial to yourself as well as your partner. If you and your main squeeze want to keep things primal, more power to you. Most people are now well aware of the standard expectations, so while you may be comfortable in your “natural” state, just know others may find it startling at first glance.
While you certainly shouldn’t feel pressured to shave if you don’t want to, don’t be surprised if your partner cries wolf.
 
Gabie Bacques is a 21-year-old animal science senior from Mandeville. Follow her on Twitter @TDR_Gbacques.
 
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Contact Gabie Bacques at [email protected]