I know that women are not forced to shave their legs, and would find it grose if they had hairy legs, but why does society in general expect women to shave their legs and where was this tradition started.
2007-11-28 19:11:13 · 13 answers · asked by girlygurl23 2 in Social Science ➔ Gender Studies
Apparently this tradition was begun in Europe, where prostitutes would have clean shaven legs to be able to prove to their customers that they were free of fleas and body lice.
I suppose that the tradition has become popular with other women as well and has become the norm so much that nowadays, it is uncommon to see a hairy woman and therefore if there are any, quickly the woman feels the pressure to become hair-free on her body. Constant advertising for hair-removal products also play a part in this.
It's not something that bothers me, am happy to be hair-free.
2007-11-28 22:28:22 · answer #1 · answered by Shivers 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Society expects the skin of a woman to be soft and satiny, including the legs. That is why there are special shaving creams and hot waxes that women can use for hair removal. Have you ever noticed that there are no "bikini line" products for men? In fact, it's only been been within the last 10yrs or son that you could find shaving cream for men with sensitive skin.
2007-11-29 14:27:23 · answer #2 · answered by Honey 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Let me ask you this: Why is society now expecting men to shave their chests and backs? You hardly ever see hairy men in sports, TV, movies, or anywhere else. A man with a naturally hairless chest is quite rare. Most men have at least some hair there.
2007-11-29 16:06:30 · answer #3 · answered by RoVale 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Society has nothing to do with hairy legs.It's a personal decision whether to shave or not.And as far as history of shaving legs who knows?
2007-11-30 10:34:11 · answer #4 · answered by sharen d 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Personally I like the natural look.
2007-11-29 16:52:03 · answer #5 · answered by Lee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wax instead. Lasts smoother and much longer than shaved.
2007-11-29 08:01:47 · answer #6 · answered by Marguerite 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Even men with very hairy legs look wierd in shorts. I guess with women having generally less hair in their exposed parts,specially in the upper half,the exposed hairy leg stands out asymetrically. I guess a hairy exposed underarm has the same effect.As for soceity expecting women to shave,it is the same reasoning as expecting women to doll up and look good,cook well etc.etc
2007-11-29 04:10:35 · answer #7 · answered by sassy 4 · 0⤊ 7⤋
I have no idea where it all started.. but since thats what high class women used to do, everyone else started,and models. It's also more attractive looking, so that could be another reason. I'm sure this must have started around the 1950s though.
2007-11-29 03:20:34 · answer #8 · answered by jade! 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Only in some cultures.
2007-11-29 03:22:36 · answer #9 · answered by hmmmm 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Women get the most power from men, when they can induce them to want sex. Hairy legs turn men off.
2007-11-29 05:29:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 7⤋