Who or what started the trend that women should shave their legs and why?

Weird this question was on Yahoo the other day, anyway here's the question
http://ask.yahoo.com/20060210.html
Hope it helps:D

It all began with the May, 1915 edition of Harper's Bazaar magazine that featured a model sporting the latest fashion. She wore a sleeveless evening gown that exposed, for the first time in fashion, her bare shoulders, and her armpits. Harper's Bazaar ad stated: "Summer Dress and Modern Dancing combine to make necessary the removal of objectionable hair." Then a marketing company who also made razor blades for men, designed a campaign to convince the women of North America that having hair underarms and on the legs was unhygienic and unfeminine. Then the sales of razor blades doubled, the women of that time was conform to this socially constructed gender stereotype. This norm for North American women has been reinforced by several generations of daughters who role modeled their mothers. Women of today shave their legs because they like having smooth legs and it makes them feel more feminine.

Ha, I never knew that! I never even thought to raise such a question. How insightful. :)

So, let's see who shaves what (and I'm talking underarms and legs only). Also what nationality are you? I'm American and shave underarms only.

This is mim's daughter replying: I'm American and I don't shave my legs during the winter... but you already knew that mom. Hehehe, and of course I shave my underarms.

I save my underarms & my legs. I like my legs to be nice and smooth always!

Mim, I am a very feminine woman that likes my skin to be smooth and silky, so I do remove the unwanted hair from my legs and other parts of my body. I'm always around people at work, and I go to a lot of events, therefore, I have to look my best and present myself in a proper manner. I love wearing skirts in all lengths, dresses, tops, fitted jeans, high heels and accessories. And my skin has to be smooth and soft, it's wonderful being a woman.

Hmm you know.. some people don't like to shave/wax etc their body hair... so they just 'bleach' it, since bleached / blonde body hair is considered very acceptable (I mean... if a woman has blonde body hair on her arms that's totally OK.. is equivalent as if she had no hair).

Yes I understand some people do not like to shave and rather bleach there leg hair and armpit hair but its still very notcicable for girls because you can still notice that there is hair and when your wearing a skirt or something that's not to attracted also in the winter I do not shave my legs either but when I know I'm doing somethiing then yes I will shave them

I take umbrage at the insinuation that because I do not shave my leg hair I am not feminine. (Actually, I am not offended. I’m just sad for any person that thinks they have to shave to be feminine) I am quite feminine and my husband definitely agrees. When around people… I choose to look my best and present myself in a proper manner. I love wearing skirts , etc. also. My skin (legs) does not have to be smooth and silky and yes, it is wonderful being a woman, but shaving leg hair has nothing to do with that wonder.

Smooth legs and underarms do not make one feminine. Femininity is an inner quality, an attitude of the heart and mind. There are feminine/effeminate men out there.

I have shaved my legs before. I began shaving solely because after I became a cheerleader I was told that cheerleaders had to shave their legs. In later years I stopped because I hated shaving.

I think no woman on earth enjoys the act of shaving their legs. That is why many choose other ways to remove hair or choose not to remove it at all in the colder months. Why do so many women continue to do what they don’t like to do? Are they afraid of getting fired or no longer receiving party invites or boyfriends/husbands leaving them? Will the world end? Just what horrible thing will come upon us happen if women stop shaving their legs?

It seems to me that females shave because a society magazine said they should IF they want to look “feminine” like the “ladies” in the magazine. Females who cared about looking like the “ladies” in the magazines began the torture of shaving this, that and the other and taught their poor little dear ones after them to endure the same torture. And the only people benefiting are the ones who make hair removal products.

Many years ago females were duped into caring what some magazine said and began the torture of shaving this, that and the other and taught their poor little dear ones after them to endure the same torture.

Who benefits? The makers of hair removal products.

Well you know, most men really don't care if you've got hair on your arms/legs (but would prefer if there wasn't any though). Some prefer that a little (tiny bit) bit of hair is there rather than no hair at all.

But what really really really turns men of is even a strand of hair in your armpits... that is definitely a no no...

I'm not saying it defines you to be feminine or not I'm just saying that it doesn't look attractive

Attractive is a relative term; relative to who is using it. When I was a youth, every time I'd see my aunties hairy legs in her sheer nylons, I thought that was just the prettiest sight. I liked the way the hair looked laying in such wavy patterns. I'd dare say that none of the people who have replied so far have grown up around women that never shaved their legs. I did and never once did I think leg hair was unfeminine or unattractive. I still don't think leg hair on women detracts from her beauty or femininity.
Were women and girls not attractive or not feminine before they began to remove hair from their legs?
Carmenn I realize you only think it is unattractive (according to your post), however, prettynpetite1 thinks it is unattractive AND unfeminine. What will happen to all who thinks this way if for any reason you are ever unable to shave your legs again? Are you going to need emotional counseling? Will you only wear pants or long skirts and dresses the rest of your lives?
Femininity should never be defined by the amount of hair on ones legs.
P.S. I shave my underarms so as not to create a breeding ground for unpleasant smells, not so that I can be attractive to anyone.
Also, sorry if my post sounds mean. It's not meant to be. I just feel sorry for my friends and all women when I hear them talking about how much they dislike shaving or what a relief it is not to have to shave in the winter.
Cultural peer pressure causes people of all ages to do things they hate to do.

Mim, I think you've misunderstood my comment. You wanted to know if we shaved our legs... And I've said that I'm a feminine woman who likes my skin to be smooth, so I remove unwanted hair from my body. Don't assume that I keep my skin smooth to be feminine, I'm naturally feminine and sexy no matter what I do or wear. I'm not waxing and shaving my legs because I feel like I have to, I do it because I like it. Furthermore, I do not think that women who don't shave their legs are less feminine, every woman is feminine in their own way. Most women I know use hair removal methods because it makes them feel better. But that doesn't mean that they listen to what magazines say, women shave their legs for different reasons. A woman have the right to choose what she wants to look like, and if she wants to shave her legs and wear sexy clothes, that's her choice. No one has said that you or other women weren't feminine because you don't like to shave your legs, you do whatever makes you happy. If you choose to have hairy legs, good for you. May peace be with you.

Okey dokey.
Anyone else want to answer the question?
Do you shave legs/underarms and what nationality are you?

Mim I understand what your coming from I just think you take things to seriously I mean other people have their own opinions and if I didn't shave my legs I would wear pants... n I wasn't trying to offend you.

I do not shave my legs, but occasionally my underarms. I'm Asian.
I don't think Asians really care about hairs on their bodies. I grew up around people who never shaved and never once did I think it was weird or unnatural. I didn't take much notice in it.
However, ever since I moved to Canada, there was always this expectation of shaving. I never used to shave anywhere, but now I do my underarms, not for aesthetic reasons though. I still don't shave my legs and I don't plan on it. I've never worn shorts or skirts for around... 8 years? Yeah. I hate how it's considered "disgusting" and "manly" to have leg hair and even though I don't agree with their opinions, I'm not about to step out in public and have people stare at me and laugh. It HAS happened. The women in my family do not shave and my sister wore shorts once and when she walked out of the house, people started staring and pointing. I'm so disappointed at the country that's supposedly so great.

Will people ever start realizing that their cultures and customs are not the only 'right' ones?

I'm fortunate enough not to be very hairy, but I DEFINITELY shave my legs and armpits!:)

I would actually rather not shave them at all and just wax them, because shaving annoys me because of how much you have to do it. I like having hairless legs, but with waxing (which I prefer) you have to wait until the hair grows back enough to wax it again. I have been given looks at school and asked why don't I remove the hair from my legs, and the answer is I did but I have to wait for the hair to grow back. That is why I shave now but don't really want to. But other people want everyone to be that same as them and they refuse to have people with differences in whatever they do.

I go back and for between shaving and not shaving. Which is how I found this thread! Right now I'm not my not-shaving streak and its been 6 months since I've shaved. Before that I would only shave about once every 3 or 4 months.
Part of it was/is laziness but the other part of it is because every time I find myself waxing or shaving, I think "this is so stupid." I actually wrote my college essay on my shaving dilemma. But let me share a bit about myself and shaving.

I remember I was in 7th or 6th grade and a boy was tying my shoes and he looked at my legs and said 'ew you haven't shaved!' I was so indignant! :mad:I was young and still had blonde leg hair. I was so mad I told him he wasn't me and he didn't have to spend two hours shaving and if he had a problem go tie someone else's shoes. Since then, every time I don't shave I worry about what people will think. Until my final year of high school. I just stopped shaving and yes, I got the stares and glances downwards. One time in my math class a girl saw my legs and blurted out to the whole class "OMG why don't you shave?!" I said "I don't feels like it but I'm so glad you asked instead of just staring." We had a pretty good class discussion about shaving and different people's expectations.

Then I made a few bets with people that if I could hold out for 6 mo. For not shaving. Ironically, my two best girl friends thinks I'm nuts and tell me it's gross but one decided to go along a bet. :p I used it as an excuse for people who couldn't except my real reason for not shaving: I wanted to get rid of the stereotype that women had to shave in order to be pretty. I saw and see not shaving as being rebellious against that boy who pointed out my blonde hair. I also saw/see it as a way to discuss the shaving issue. While some girls think its gross and decide to shave more, others might find it liberating and also decide not to shave. I suppose I saw myself as an scapegoat for girls who felt bad about themselves for not shaving everyday, like me. They might not like to shave or they might like to, but in either case, they could look at me and think "At least I'm not her."

Which brings me to this thread/discussion. I was internet surfing deciding whether it was really worth it to shave now that I don't have my 'acceptable' excuse for people who think that not shaving is inexcusable. I really hate the stares and silence. I care more if I shave than if I don't but I also care about being excluded and ostracized. This should probably be another thread shouldn’t it? But it’s still the same question: To shave to not to shave? :confused:

Yes shave and wax.. just feel more comfortable with it.

I personally don't particularly like underarm hair, that's just me though, not denying that this may be due to social conditioning but, as is central to social conditioning, its pretty much sub-conscious for the most part, so god knows...


Oh.. and I'm Irish.

I'm quite dark so have tried it all waxing, shaving, creams. What I do now is bleach my ams, wax my top lip and bikini line and shave my legs and under arms though I don't shave eveyday, think it's important to let them have a few days growth.

I have no idea where the trend or idea started from to shave one's legs.

I think that in colder climates, you might be warmer if you don't shave, and in warmer climates, its probably cooler to shave.

I hate wearing stockings when I have leg hair.

As to armpits. I attended a wedding once where the bride had a gorgeous, sleeveless dress, all sparkly and flowing. Came time for the first dance, and the hair under her arms was long enough to braid.

I was told afterwards that was a cultural thing, and none of the women shaved.

I don't bother with shaving anymore, I use Nair or Neet, and it takes away the hair and lasts for a good month.

I'm American and I shave underarms and legs daily. It's a force of habit! I feel cleaner and more feminine when shaved - and, I absolutely HATE the way it feels when I haven't shaved my legs in a few days and they are fuzzy and it rubs against my jeans - HATE HATE HATE it!! It's like nails on a chalkboard for me.

:)

Hi to all on board, and a BIG thanks to Mim!

Mim, it's for the first time I have found a person with so much of a parallel thinking. I read your views and it felt as if I am reading my own. I follow a religion called Sikhism and in Sikhism, neither the females, nor the males are allowed to shave/wax/trim any part of their body hair. The idea is to preserve the way God made you, and not trying to correct Him by telling Him, " see this is where you have gone wrong, or that is where you might have made me this way". He only knows how to make His children look the best. And if He has made us hairy, that couldn't be without a reason!

I, just as you, am not offending those who do shave or remove bodily hair through some other method, but the girls shouldn't be under this social/peer pressure of doing it unwillingly, or just because others want it that way. I have lived 26 years of my life with my hair (everywhere) intact, and I might have got those dejecting stares and ill-comments, but they somehow couldn't bog me down. Because I feel what I should or shouldn't do should be decided by me, my religion or by God... people around should rather focus on my inner qualities than on my external looks and hairy arms/legs/upper lips etc. If that distracts them enough to accept me as a part of their society, then BE IT, I am only too happy to stay away from such superficial-minded people.

Hey Mim, you might be interested in visiting my community on this on Orkut. Here's the link:

orkut - (http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community.aspx?cmm=43238316)

(You might have to make your own Orkut account to check this, though.)

Take good care of yourself

Dr. Harleen Kaur

I'm an eighteen-year-old American girl, and I haven't shaved my legs in about two years now. I find the act of shaving annoying, unnecessary, ridiculous, and a waste of time. I've really grown to love my hairy legs in their natural beauty, and I refuse to shave them ever again!
I do, however, shave my armpits every once in a while, but most of the time I just let them be as well. :-)

I shave my arm pits and legs about once a week and it's no big deal. I can't imagine NOT shaving. Sleek and silky is the only option for me.

In America it started with the women's lib in and the earth moms of the 60's.
Other than that it is mostly a cultural/climate thing.

My sister thinks it's unattractive and when she saw that I don't shave (And that I was wearing my gay pride wristband) she made assumptions.
I don't shave because:
A) I, personally don't think women need to be as smooth as a baby's bottom nearly all over to be attractive
B) I hate that period where you shave, and a couple days later you have stubble!
C) I just don't have the time to shave
D) I don't see the point in shaving. We have hair so that when it's cold we can make an extra layer of insulation.

I'm also quite lucky that my leg hair isn't that dark either. My best friend would prefer to stop shaving because of the above three reasons but she shaves if she's going swimming. (I don't understand her logic but love her anyway)