I did what you’re not supposed to and got into an argument on the internet. Basically a boy saying “women shave to impress men”. It burns me up so badly. No. I shave to avoid conflict from men. Strange males have stared and YELLED AT ME in the past, IN PUBLIC, for looking a certain way. The patriarchy labels unshaven women as “dirty” – quite literally promoting social ostracization. I am not a real woman if the blonde hair on my legs is unshaven. My femininity is revoked, but in a bad way in this context (society sees un-femininity as an improvement in some contexts)
So that’s it, I’m not shaving ever again. Im not gonna sit around and let boys believe i do it to impress them. Im gonna make the unawares uncomfortable & MAYBE they’ll one day ask WHY THEY WERE.
Edit: To clarify – im just referring to the shaving that i do out of necessity. Shaving has never made me feel better about myself, or more secure in my appearance/gender. The only hair grooming i do for that purpose is on my face, when i pluck my eyebrows. I personally feel better after that. So im going to keep doing that.
If you do something because it makes YOU feel hot, then KEEP DOING IT. As i implied above, it really doesn’t matter what others think, and trying to conform to them will make you feel bitter. If you like shaving, dont feel pressured by anyone to not do so.