This New York Times article on recent spottings of celebrities who do not shave their legs and/or armpits is a great discussion of the cultural pressure in the United States to perform certain beauty rituals that alter the body. These practices ultimately create more work that women and girls must perform in order to be socially acceptable. How does this track with your learning in this course? Reactions?
Nichole Beatty
ReplyDeleteThis article was very interesting! I think the main point, that these actresses are trying to get across is that young women have a choice! These young women need to understand that they have a choice to not shave there legs or give into other "beauty" stereotypes. Young girls don't have to wear make-up or fit the mold of the women on the magazine covers or seen in other media. This article asks a great question "Is the fear that no man will want you and your hairy legs valid?" Do women only shave there legs because they want to be wanted and accepted by men??
Annie Blewett
ReplyDeleteI thought this article was very interesting. Good for Mo'Nique, Julia, and the other women who weren't afraid to rock the hairy look on the red carpet. It takes a lot of courage. I was reading a blog that trashed Mo'Nique after she featured hairy legs at the awards shows and it was really saddening.
I think that part of the reason that our society demands that women be hairless is because it is reminiscent of youth. As a young child, you have barely any hair (if you do, its very light) and there is certainly no pubic hair. Teaching women to emulate childlike characteristics is keeping them in a submissive role.
I really liked this article because even as a child I wondered why girls had to shave so many parts of their body but men only were required by their gender to shave their face. I try to contemplate whether I would be grossed out by my hairy legs or armpits if my culture didn't influence me to?
ReplyDeleteThe article explains how hairy legs at an awards show is seen as a huge accident. What's even more biased towards men, is now when men dont' shave it is considered the "sexy grungy look". To be honest, I don't think the American culture will ever accept women to have their natural body hair public. Mo'Nique's confidence to share with the world her personal hygiene was undoubtably strong, but I still find myself on the negative side of the arguement. Yesterday while working I noticed a female that didn't shave her legs. Everyone at work joked around and assumed she must be a hippy. I myself subconciously believed the same thing. I can't decide why I want to preach for equality but yet I still stereotype people. Sometimes as much as you strive to be different, its shocking to see how much you fit in.