Women, would you still do stuff like shave your legs, wear bras, and keep your hair long if society didn't judge you for not doing them?

[Anonymous]

I came across this image on Reddit and I personally thought it was very insightful.

For men it's socially acceptable to have hairy legs, not wear bras, and keep your hair short but it's suddenly a problem when women do it?

I imagine that all 3 aforementioned things are a massive pain in the ass to do regularly. I feel so sorry for women for being expected to do them.

I highly doubt women would still do them if society didn't judge them for not doing them.

How about you? Would you still do these things?

[Screenwriter]

I'm older, so there's that aspect. But I hated having hairy legs that looked somewhat like a man's legs, so I shaved them. The point being, I didn't want to look similar to a male.

If you have average sized breasts or larger, a bra helps keep things in place, especially if running, biking or exercising. I've done and still bike and exercise. I think it's uncomfortable to slosh all over the place. Maybe this is conformity to societal norms. It's also about appearing youthful. AND it's about appearing nonsexual.

Men don't have anything obvious full frontal that is considered sexual looking. Breasts are. So we mask them and keep them in place using bras.

I've never kept my hair long and it's easier to care for when short. That's not and never has been an issue for me. It's according to how much time and effort you want to put into such maintenance.

My son has hair past his shoulders, but he likes the look and so have the women in his life. I suspect women are the same and long hair has a fashion, gender, societal marker value.

Today there's the shave all the hair off the body thing going on. It's done for Sex appeal and acceptance. And again, it's high maintenance. All according to what you want to put up with, the importance of fitting in and how you feel comfortable.

I think confident people pick and choose what aspects of society work for them and what don't. I know I have.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

I already don’t care if society judges me or not.
I don’t really shave anything but my pits because I don’t like how it feels. I’ve shaved my head bald twice before, would highly recommend just for the lack of maintenance, and I really only wear a bra in public/professional settings where I have to get out and walk around.
I’m still caving to the societal pressure that says I’m not allowed to do a lot, but I’m still comfortable. The reality is this pressure on women to meet these beauty standards only applies to a male-centric society that says women need to cater to their desires. If we lived in a purely egalitarian society, beauty would take on a completely different meaning and appearance.

[Asker]

I find your attitude so refreshing. I'd say everyone female or male should follow your lead.

As in doing what makes you comfortable even if the rest of society doesn't like it. More people should be like you.

In fact a lot of popular movements that made an impact on the world were started by people like you. People who go against the grain. If it was up to just the people who go with the grain no change or progress would be made!

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

As much as I appreciate the energy, going against the grain doesn’t change as much as people think. Being the exception to the rule means the rule still exists.

[Proudblondewoman]

I've never had to shave my legs. My legs are almost completely hairless and my hair is naturally platinum blonde. So what very little leg hair I have is virtually invisible.

My hair is so long its longer than I am tall (I'm 4'11" by the way) and I love having my hair the length it is. I get complimented on both the color and the length of my haiall the time. I would never cut my hair short.

[Asker]

You have no idea how many women would kill to have legs like yours.

They'd kill to be in your position where you can avoid razor burns cutting yourself while shaving and ingrown hairs from shaving by just simply having legs that are practically naturally hairless.

You have an amazing gift when it comes to that.

I actually knew a guy once about as equally hairless as you.

He had gorgeous naturally really tan skin that was flawless and shined and glowed and I swear he didn't have a single hair on his whole body. His face legs arms stomach etc were just 100% skin with no hairs. He had dark hair on his head but zero on his body.

I highly doubt he shaved because I actually stayed an entire week at his house and there were never any signs of stubble at morning or at night.

So I guess you could say he was the male version of you lol.

But anyway hair that's longer than 4'11? Don't you like trip over it if that's the case? It does sound gorgeous though I hope you enjoy all the compliments.

And yeah. If you like your hair long don't cut it for anybody.

[DishLady]

Yeah I would do precisely what I do now for simple hygienic purposes and comfort The hair/bra stuff. The long hair is a preference. I've had v long (past my butt) and v short (pixie) hair, with lots of different styles in between (esp in my teens and early 20s) but I settled on a comfortable below-the-shoulder length that suits me.

[Asker]

That makes sense. Regardless of what society expects or doesn't expect we all have preferences regardless if those preferences align with society or not.

An example for men could be expecting men to be loud and aggressive and loving sports and shaming men who don't fit into that but there still are men who are happy with that lifestyle regardless.

Yeah hygiene and comfort comes above all.

And yeah it's good to experiment with your hair.

[DishLady]

Well technically that’s different bc those are traits as opposed to hygienic habits. If a guy gives up shaving (like I shave November) no one thinks anything of it. And no one expects a guy to shave his pits etc (no one talks about it too much). The only thing folks hem and haw about is trimming hair where guys expect to be cajoled and sexually serviced… so there are ads and discussions about extra hair trimming products for guys.

Now what it guys stopped trimming down there? What would the consequence be? Hmm.

[sage2021]

It sounds like you are comparing what is socially acceptable for men, but not for women to be the same way as men.

I didn't realize that society plays such a big part of social norms anymore. Not for a long time.

If you go outside or in a crowd, everyone is pretty much doing their own thing as far as how they look. No two are the same.

I have long hair, no bra, and shave 🪒 my legs. But none of what I do has anything to do with the expectations of society.

[Anonymous]

I don’t shave my legs, I sometimes wear a bra and sometimes not (it’s the same at home when I’m alone - sometimes wearing one is uncomfortable so I take it off. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable without one so I put one on). I would have long hair even if not judged for not having it, because I like the way it looks and feels.

[Asker]

I don't blame you. I hear shaving legs can be painful.

Makes sense to sometimes wear a bra and other times not. Sometimes you really do genuinely need the support but other times if you're just still you don't need the support.

And yeah. Long hair just suits some people so well.

[Abbycado]

I would keep shaving my legs because I like the way they look all nice and smooth. I often don’t wear a bra as it is. I like my hair long.

These things have nothing to do with what I think society judges. They are my preferences.

[Asker]

Smooth legs do indeed look very nice so I can't blame you there. Just wish the process wasn't so painful and having to do daily.

Yeah a lot of women hate bras so that makes sense.

And yes long hair really suits some people over short hair.

And makes sense to have your own preferences regardless of what society thinks.

Though women who have really hairy legs and wear shorts and with really short hair as in like a buzzcut are judged unfairly.

[Abbycado]

I agree with you. They are judged unfairly. Those things are personal preferences. It is their right to do what they want. Same as men that maybe like long hair.

Is it what I like on a guy? Nope, but I’ll never judge a guy for it or go “eww”. That’s what he likes. Some girls like that, others don’t.

I do like having long hair because it is versatile. Lots I can do with it.

[Asker]

Yes! People shouldn't be shamed for personal preferences.

That makes sense as long hair is usually feminine coded, similar to how short hair is masculine coded. I myself don't like short hair on a woman but at the same time I'll never judge a woman for it or go eww either. People like what they like. Some men like short hair on women, others don't.

And that makes sense about the long hair! With short hair you're basically pigeonholed into just that one hairstyle whether you like it or not but with long hair you can basically style it in a million different ways. Perhaps even creative ways even.

[Abbycado]

Ya know what? Guys my age, including my boyfriend, likes the messy bun. I’ve got that in spades.

[Asker]

Haha. Glad that you're happy with how much your boyfriend and other guys your age like your messy buns!

For me I've never really had any strong opinions on messy buns. They just exist for me, lol.

I do tend to like ponytails somewhat better though.

And then pigtails I associate with little girls so not attractive for me.

But then again it's all preferences. Neither is right or wrong.

[Abbycado]

That last sentence says it all.

[Asker]

Basically yes.

And it applies to not only beauty standards but anything in general. Like taste in music, taste in movies, religion just anything.

[Abbycado]

I agree. People should let people be, and let them be happy with their choices.

[msmissydc]

Shaving yes. While I also do it for looks, I mainly do it so I dont rip them out during poledance.
Bras, eh. Sometimes, probably far less.
I keep my hair long because I like it that way.
I would probably dress a bit different though.

[Asker]

That makes sense. I imagine hairs getting caught in poledance would not be a fun time.

Makes sense to still wear bras but far less.

Yeah long hair suits some people better than short hair.

And also makes sense to dress differently as clothing in general if often pointlessly gendered between female and male.

[TsundereMatrix]

I do these because I want to. I don’t shave legs as often because my hair is blonde and therefore my leg hair is so light you can barely see it so it looks like I shaved my legs when I don’t. That’s a bonus.

[Asker]

You have no idea how many women would kill to have legs like yours lol.

They'd be so happy to avoid razor burns legs bleeding while shaving and ingrown hairs from shaving by just simply having leg hair that is so light that it looks like you shaved by default despite not.

You truly do have a gift when it comes to that.

[TsundereMatrix]

lol yeah it’s a blessing and a curse sometimes because my arms also have very light hair and people think I shave my arms and continue to ask me why when I don’t shave my arms at all.

[Asker]

Blessing and a curse is an interesting choice of words in this situation since I imagine almost all women would view it as just simply a 100% blessing.

How often are people asking about your arm hair or lack of anyway?

Is it every single day or just a few times a year?

Every single day I'd imagine it gets kind of annoying but a few times a year not.

[TsundereMatrix]

A few times a year. I guess I don’t understand why people even care to ask. It’s really none of their business if I shave my arms or not.

[Asker]

A few times a year huh. Not the answer I was expecting. May I ask why it bothers you so much if it's only a few times a year? Enough to call the lack of arm hair partially a curse?

Unless despite it being infrequent the people who ask about it are really really really annoying and pestering about it and won't leave you alone over it.

I can't think of a similar example in my life but I guess related to my glasses where people literally snatch my glasses off of my face and go wow you really can't see. Happens only a few times a year but super annoying.

[red-lipstick-girl]

Wearing a bra is disgusting, I swear they just weigh me down. I want to go out without a bra and let my breasts breathe, I really want that. I've gone out without a bra a few times but people looked at me like I was a monster.

[Asker]

It really is bullshit huh? No idea why a woman's nipples would offend anyone so much they probably don't say anything about male nipples.

Bras sound like a pain in the ass to deal with.

[LaureenVO]

probably not. Maybe only shaving from time to time for oral lol.

[Asker]

I admire your honesty lol.

[Paige90]

Yes I still one as I hate hair on my legs, under my arms and pubic hair. As far as wearing a bra I never would.

[Nikki1989]

I always do what I want and not what anyone else wants.

[Asker]

And that's the best way to live!

[itsannalee]

Why men always think that when women do something it’s just always because for other people?

[Asker]

Perhaps bad wording on my part. Not at all what I was trying to insinuate towards.

But I meant it is like society expects people in general to be a certain way and judges you if you don't conform.

I already talked about examples for women but examples for men could be something like being expected to be strong and stoic all the time no matter what and never showing affection towards same sex friends. And then if a man is vulnerable society judges him for it and kills him a pussy, and then if a man shows affection towards his male friends he'll be called gay and have all sorts of homophobic slurs hurled at him.

Or heck this can even apply to cultures, race, and sexuality not just gender.

[Chocolatetwopoint3]

I dont shave my legs and i would keep wearing a bra but i might get really short hair, long hair is such a pain

[Asker]

That makes sense when your breasts reach a certain size it's probably painful to not wear a bra so they might not be optional in that case unlike with the shaving or long hair.

[CherryLove007]

I am not anybody's opinion, I will act accordingly to my tastes.🍒

[BrittneyHl]

I'd do some things but not all if they were more acceptable

[BlueJeansGirl]

I would feel clear after having my legs waxed. As for a bra, probably not. I like having long hair.

[Asker]

Yeah I imagine bras are uncomfortable with clear legs and long hair are just nice to look at.

[Anonymous]

Yeah i wax monthly cause i like soft skin and i like hair long

[Opinion Owner]

I also like bras

[Asker]

Fair enough you like what you like. If you like something it doesn't matter if society expects it as mandatory or not.

[beenherebefore]

I would still do all that.

[Asker]

Good if it makes you happy it makes you happy.

[LisaS]

Yes, because self respect

[Asker]

I would say it's less of a self respect thing and more of a preference thing.

And kind of off topic but your profile picture. Is that you in your underwear? Looks like you're just wearing a really long black shirt and then I can see a hint of white panties.

Not trying to be creepy sorry if it comes off that way but I'm just describing the picture I'm seeing.

[LisaS]

Yes, that's me

[Asker]

Wow. I don't consider 35 old or anything but you look more like late teens or early 20s.

[Kelly6]

We don’t do these for society.

[Asker]

Not what I was trying to say at all.

I meant it more as in society judges people in general if they don't conform to expectations.

An example for men could be being expected to like nothing but beers trucks and guns and being called a pussy if you instead like stuff like sweet tasting alcoholic drinks fashion and painting.

[jazzy34]

Yes.

[Asker]

Yes just do what makes you happy.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it.

[Asker]

I can see why. All that stuff women deal with sounds like a massive pain in the ass.