I Don’t Shave. Why So Offended?
I get so sick of people judging others based on their bodies. “Eat more, eat less, why don’t you go on a diet? you should reall think about losing some weight, your pimples are gross!” These are just a few things friends, parents, sports coaches, and even strangers have said to me. Most of the time I laugh it off or ask what they mean by it, only a few instances getting frustrated and mad at that individual.
My health is completely fine; I can throw a ball pretty far; I eat good meals and sometimes some ramen, but these facts ARE NOT OTHER PEOPLE’S BUSINESS BUT MY OWN. I don’t like to shave my legs, but again, is that really anyone’s business but my own? NO, yet many people have an urge to insert their opinions about my looks and tell me what to do, even when I barely know them. The worst part is that I don’t think they realize what they are saying is rude and disrespectful. Society’s concept of a “perfect” body (not being too skinny or fat, too tall or too short) is just exhausting and stupid. Certain people can’t accept that we all look different and that‘s an amazing thing we should appreciate and embrace.
Many teenagers are constantly shamed - privately and publicly - if don’t fit into a stereotype of a certain body. WHOSE BUSINESS IS IT TO TELL SOMEONE THEY NEED TO CHANGE?? Yet people can’t help but insert their personal opinions/ideals into things that don’t need them. It’s 2021, you’d think that society is more embracive of all types of bodies, but NOPE! The issue is, no matter what you do, people tend to find something about your appearance that is wrong, and some keep it to themselves while others have the need to tell you.
For some reason, many adults I’ve encountered think it is alright to “body-shame” others, both boys and girls, and even convince themselves they are helping them. NO! WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT BODY TYPES AND THAT IS NO ONE’S BUSINESS BUT OUR OWN. EVEN WHEN WE CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY AND LEAD A HEALTHY LIFE (MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY) PEOPLE STILL HAVE THINGS TO SAY ABOUT OUR NATURAL BODIES. For example, shaving legs. If you want to shave your legs because you love how it feels or like how it looks, or JUST BECAUSE YOU DAMN WANT TO, that is absolutely great. BUT… if you don’t really care if you have shaved legs or not, but feel a need to because as a girl, your friends or even acquaintances will show disgust and disdain for you because of your “gross” unshaved legs, then that isn’t right.
Let me ask the body-shamers three questions: does having leg hair make my legs dirty? Does having my leg hair hurt you in any way? Do I want to spend time doing something that I really don’t want to do but society tells me too? HELL NO!
My dream is that one day people will look at boys and girls, and consider their actions, morals, and contributions to society, rather than their size, eyebrows, noses, leg hair, etc. Because if the latter physical aspects are what truly separates people in this society, I would be greatly disappointed with where our values are really being drawn from. Don’t get me wrong, wearing makeup or plucking your eyebrows can be empowering and fun to do, but when you feel the need to do it because of other people’s judgment, that is when things go wrong.
It is no one’s place to critique and judge choices you make for your body, it is so important to love who you are AND block out people’s negative perceptions of your appearance. It’s definitely easier said than done, but as you work towards where you want to be, everything will all be worth it. Take it from me — I haven’t shaved my legs since 8th grade and I’m feeling pretty self-confident.