The Leg Hair Scare

I was unsure whether to put a warning on this blog post for nudity or something, but I think we're all grown-ups and can cope with the word nipple. If you find a female talking about the anatomy of her own body inappropriate or awkward then you've come to the wrong place. Anyway, 'warning' aside, let's begin. 

I was on tumblr (what's new?) and I saw a picture by photographar Martin Bauendahl of a topless woman. (I won't post it here, but I'm sure if you're curious you can find it on the old internet). One breast was taped in a way that it appeared perky and 'perfect' and the other was unaltered, The caption below it read 'Real breast vs. the way media sees breasts!' and despite being a girl myself and knowing full well that not all breasts are perky, especially large ones, I was taken aback by the complete contrast and that despite how often we see bare chests in movies and adverts etc, they never presented in that way. In fact, I wasn't the only one caught off guard by this photo, as below the caption there was a comment that said "THANK YOU OH MY GOD I JUST THOUGHT MY BOOBS WERE WEIRD...AND I WAS TOO FAT" and the post itself had hundreds and hundreds of notes. Now the idea that young women such as myself and the commenter are so often taught that there is an ideal body and that perky boobs are part of that is upsetting. This girl genuinely thought there was something wrong with her because the media has lied about the way the human body works. And for what reason? Sex. 

I'm not fully aware of what point in history that breasts went from a source of nutrition for children to something for men to ogle at, but it's somewhat problematic. Whether or not you agree that breasts are sexual, and regardless of if you believe we are designed or a product of evolution, it's indisputable that sexualisation is not their main purpose, which both the media and men often like to forget. In fact, a woman got asked to stop breast feeding her child in a Victoria Secret store, as if the sight of a breast being used as it's intended purpose was more offensive than the multiple depictions of women in their underwear around the store. And it is for this purpose that the natural breast is not in fact usually all that perky. As the breast size increases, whether through weight or pregnancy, gravity naturally pulls them downwards. Now for aesthetic purposes, this is considered 'unattractive', when really this is so the baby can reach the nipple to breast feed. The fact that this natural process is considered unnatural and women are paying for surgeries to 'correct' this because they are told it is unattractive is completely destructive, and breasts are not the only area where the image of femininity is distorted. 

Hearing conversations between both boys I know, and strangers on the internet (and sometimes sadly even girls) I've discovered that stretch marks and cellulite and body hair are 'disgusting', despite the fact that 100% of girls grow body hair, 90% of women develop cellulite and any person who grows or puts on weight is very likely to get stretch marks. They are all natural. And they are all considered unattractive by (most) men and the media. (It's at this point that I'd like to clarify that it is not men to blame for this, but society and the media and the way we've been brought up as a whole). In fact a higher percentage of women develop cellulite than those who develop breasts, and yet it's still considered gross. I've seen articles stating that Beyonce and Lily Allen 'forgot' to shave their armpits as if it was as essential as turning the oven off or locking the car. It's something we're expected to do, regardless of if we personally want body hair or not. Women are repeatedly told that things that are perfectly natural about their bodies is wrong or unacceptable. Is having leg hair really more disgusting than judging someone by their appearance? Is it more important that my breasts are aesthetically pleasing than actually able to provide a child with the nutrition they need to live? Is breastfeeding in public inappropriate, but American Apparel advertising acceptable?

All I really wanted to say with this post is that girls, you should not apologise for not looking how society wants you to. Your legs can be as smooth as a dolphin or as hairy as a bear and it does not matter. Because you are so much more than how you look. and the choice is yours. 

Have a good week. x