Is this what kids are doing now?

Question

My daughter will be 13 next month and needs to shave her legs and under her arms but now she is telling me that kids tease her because she does not shave her arms. I never shaved my arms when I was younger nor did any of my friends except the few who swam competitively. Is this something that girls are doing now? I don't want my daughter shaving her arms so she is going to have to learn to combat the teasing - any suggestions.

For those who misunderstood - I'm talking about the part of her arm between her wrist and her elbow. Of course I let her shave her armpit.
BTW, she's blonde.

Thank you all for your answers. I'm already letting her shave her legs and under her arms but I got her a Veet so she can do it unsupervised (she has ADHD and will play with the razor if left alone with it). I decided to continue as I orginally thought by not allowing her to shave her arms.
There were a lot of goos answers and I'm leaving it up to the voters.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I know there are a lot of younger girls doing that now. It's always the same anwser because of the teasing. I would tell her to be her own person and to be different, I woudn't want her to do it either.

Answer 2

I would let her shave under her arms at least, that is where hair is most prominent. I am 22 but my mother let me shave my legs when I was thirteen. When you turn 13 you are on your way to becomeing a young woman not a child. I think that she is more botherd by the fact that people today associate no hair on your under arms and legs means your not a kid anymoer. I think you need to let your daughter grow up and not treat her like a child because she is not a child anymore. I would understand not letting her wear make up because she is still young and beautiful but shaveing is a simple thing that will make her feel like a teenager not a 10 yr old girl. They grow up fast I know but dont stop her from growing up. In the end she is probably going to just shave her legs and arms one day and you might as well teach her the proper way to do so. Show her that you care about her wants and needas and show her that you will be there to support her. if not she will end up rebelling

Answer 3

I started in grade 4 or 5 with my legs because I was swimming, but most girls then were starting around grade 6 or so. Kids can be really mean about these kinds of things. I have to admit I did it to one girl in middle school myself. She never shaved her pits, her legs, nothing, but it was a cultural deal with her, which I didn't know at first. She still doesn't shave anything and she is now 24. I myself rarely shave my legs or pits anymore. I can't be bothered, besides it is other people that have the problem with it. not me. I have a nearly 2 year old running around all day long, I don't have time to shave anything by the time I get around to my shower before bed, I am just too tired by then. If I have to wear something sleeveless, shorts or a skirt for something any time of year, I will shave for that though.
If she still really wants to shave, just make sure that you explain to her that it will grow in darker and stiffer each time she shaves. My sister is blonde everywhere, as soon as she started shaving it all grew in black without exception. I would rather have hairy legs with fair hair than shave it regularly because it is dark now from shaving.

Answer 4

i would say why not let her shave her legs what is wrong with that. you need to let her grow up she is 13, not 8. you are crazy if u dont let her shave her legs. as for the arms thing. i would say that most girls dont have that much hair on her arms, but if she is getting teased why not.l what r u so afraid of!!!! she isnt gonna hurt herself. get used to it your daughter is a teenager and you cant stop her from doing those types of things. she's a girl,m get over the fact that she needs to shave her legs!!!!!!!!!! sheesh!

Answer 5

I'm twelve (will be thirteen soon, so I know a lot of thirteen/fourteen year olds) and I know VERY few people who shave their arms. My arms are hairy, and I don't care, shaving your arms just sounds painful and gross, I don't know why, but I just don't really like the thought of it. I think you should offer your daughter the choice of shaving her arms or not. Then again, I go to school with nice kids, everyone I know just accepts people for who they are and are pretty friendly. Heck, I know a girl who has very hairy legs, she doesn't shave, she wears shorts/shirts/capris, she has tons of friends. But enough of me, back to your daughter: ask her if she really wants to shave her arms because she wants to, or because someone else finds hair entertaining. But if she does want to, support her, and help her. Good luck!!

Answer 6

i would let her shave her legs because it's just something your supposed to do when you're a teenager.you don't want to be hairy or anything.but about shaving the arms.that's not a very smart thing to do because it grows back darker and fuller and it looks manly so tell her that nobody shaves their arms because theres no point in it.i would say just shave your legs and underneath your arms because obviously underneath your arms needs to be shaved..because its more hygenic and if you don't shave there you start to have b.o but anyways hope this helps! and yeah noone shaves their arms now a days. take it from me im a teenager whos 15 .lol

Answer 7

It might just be that her arm hair is thicker or darker than most of her friends, and they think that it is abnormal, but it could just be because of your ethnicity. It is her body, and shaving her arms should be her choice. Especially since it is not something that will harm her. Sit down and talk to her about it. She probably only wants to do it because of the teasing, so you should try to convince her that she doesn't have to follow the crowd for everything, but if she still wants to do it, then let her, it's not like it will hurt anything.

Answer 8

Well, I started shaving my under arms and legs at 10. I have never shaved my arm hair, I wouldn't want to. If that's what she wants to do then let her. It will always grow back.

Answer 9

That's really new! I'm only 17 and my friends and I don't do that. Anyway I would NOT recommend it. If she starts shaving her arms the hair will grow in really dark and then she will get to a point where she has to shave them everyday. Don't have her follow this new stupid fad.

Answer 10

well i'm 19 and i shave my arms,sometimes, but i don't know about a 13 yr old that's kinda young. and kids r mean and cruel these days anyway and will tease kids about anything so tell her not 2 worry about what they say and that she doesn't have 2 shave her arms, not right now anyway. next thing u know she'll be HAIRLESS!!! when she's older.

Answer 11

I have never heard of any girls doing this unless she has hairy arms. But do not let her shave them because I went through a phase when I did that and my arm hairs went from blonde and very few to a lot of black hair...do NOT let her do this!!!! She will regret it when she gets older.