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Would you shave your pubic hair to cure cervical cancer? I would. And plenty of you out there are no doubt hair-free already, so it’s not such a big deal at all.
The problem is, of course, that shaving your pubes won’t cure cervical cancer at all. And yet the Canadian Cancer Society is asking women to do just that, despite concerns that their latest campaign is inappropriate and largely futile. As Jezebel reports:
According to the Globe and Mail, the month-long campaign, known a “Julyna,” was inspired by the event Movember, which involved men growing mustaches and asking friends and family to pledge money toward prostate cancer research. For Julyna, women are asked to solicit donations from loved ones for waxing or shaving a design into their pubes.
Interesting. But as far as I’m concerned, in rather poor taste.
Now, let’s get one thing straight: I’m no prude. I enjoy discussing vaginas as much as the next person. And yes, I did support Feel Them Up Friday, an online breast cancer campaign that encouraged women to examine their own breasts, which received some criticism for its use of ‘sexual’ language. But FTUF had a purpose – to use non-threatening, colloquial terms to demystify breast examination and persuade women to check themselves out. And it was successful. More than one woman discovered a lump that might otherwise have gone unnoticed, and has FTUF to thank.
But Julyna offers no immediate benefits to women. The pubic region is not like a lotto scratchie, in which you remove the surface and discover if there’s something sinister underneath. Only a pap smear can do that. Shaving one’s pubes is completely missing the point, let alone the region.
What’s more, there is the very real issue of causing offence to those living with the deadly disease. The Movember campaign successfully reduced the shame associated with prostate cancer by linking it with something innocuous and humorous – a funny moustache. But linking a disease of the female sex organs to the highly sexualised behaviour of ‘shaping’ one’s pubic hair has the exact opposite effect. Would a conservative middle aged mother with cervical cancer feel good about being associated with cheekily shaved pubes? I think not.
And finally, as a fund-raising exercise, there are clearly limitations. Would you approach your boss or work colleagues or the mums from your kids’ school to ask for sponsorship for your heart-shaped pubes? Well, depends on what field you work in, but for most people I suspect the answer is ‘no’. And as Jezebel quotes:
“… as gynecologic oncologist Joan Murphy puts it, ‘Shaving your pubes to any different shape, I don’t think that’s going to bring discussion around the water cooler.”
So what do you think? Is Julyna a brilliant initiative? Or is linking cervical cancer with kookily trimmed pubes a little bit off?
Comments
109 Comments so far
That is beautiful!!!
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Hi ladies stumbled across this and thought I would bump it with a few comments.
First, removal of pubic hair is not a modern invention of the “porn industry”. Any student of art and history can attest to the pubic hair free images in artwork from millennium past. It was not uncommon among men and women in centuries past. Removal was often accomplished by burning (ouch!) or plucking. In recent history the removal of pubic hair was popularized by lesbians back in the 70’s before it showed up in men’s pornography magazines. (Depending on the man some find it off-putting and others find it stimulating.)
There are inflammatory statements often made on this subject such as “that men want little girls”. Typically men do want younger (fertile) women and there are many modern practices that women perform to mimic a younger woman such as eye makeup, underarm shaving, and hair treatments to reduce coarseness. Yet there is little vilification of men over these practices. Please stop the misandry. Personally during foreplay and other physical acts navigating thick matted sticky pubic hair on a partner is something I do not find pleasurable.
Additionally the comments that pubic hair is the visual hallmark to indicate that a woman is now mature and capable of reproduction shows total ignorance of many races that have very little if any pubic hair. What shows capability of reproduction visually is one trait of human beings that sets them apart from every other animal on planet earth; breast growth prior to pregnancy.
Furthermore intercourse with women that have coarse pubic hair (either genetically, or through age) that is untrimmed becomes very abrasive on a man as it gets pulled into the motion of the act. The abrasiveness can open up the skin surface of the man’s genitals exposing both partners to additional possibility of transference of undesirables not to mention the pain during and after the act for the man.
Some cities have women with complete and untouched body hair (Sydney) while others have just the opposite (Rio). Normal or not normal has to be taken in context.
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What are your views on men shaving their genital area? I’m sure some women find it off-putting navigating coarse, matted sticky pubic hair as well…yet so often the Brazilian or serious grooming is expected of women, but not of men. I know one woman who was pressured by her partner agreed to go ahead as long as he also agreed to the treatment, he declined and they both decided to keep themselves tidy without resorting to waxing. Many women suffer from ingrown hairs, ulcers, cysts etc, very painful stuff, as a result of waxing. Not fun at all…
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I have to disagree, I think that any initiative concerning cancer is something to be admired. I also think that Julyna could possibly have other benefits, rather than just raising money. I think that it helps to break the barrier when it comes to talking about medical conditions associated with the vagina. Having cancer alone is something that is hard to talk about, and a lot harder if it has to do with the most private of private parts. By being a part of this initiative it is encouraging women to get talking about vaginas and to spread awareness about cervical cancer. I also think that in some ways, the extreme is more likely to have a lasting impact on people. Sure, its a bit inappropriate, but those who are discussing it will hopefully be mature adults who can have a bit of a laugh yet still support any kind of fundraiser that addresses something as serious as cancer.
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I really don’t understand this whole it originated in the porn industry so women are forced to do it argument.
I’m pretty sure that a lot of the sex positions many of us enjoy also began in the porn industry.
So does that mean we’re all forced into doing it and don’t really enjoy it? I love a bit of missionary now and then but I also love all those other positions which yep started in the porn industry
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How about doing a post on the importance of pap smears rather than talking about pubic hair – again.
I’m a bit tired of this debate to be honest.
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My friends and I came up with the idea of “Fanuary” as a competitor to Movember a few years ago. Looks like the idea has been pinched but without the Aussie flavour.
We thought it was a laugh and that no one would seriously want to do it for a fundraiser!
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Well this post fired them up alright. I haven’t laughed so hard in a while at the opposing sides to hair removal…Hair free, hairy – it’s all ok. All calm down lol.
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If anything this could be a detterant to getting a pap smear.
I can’t imagine that the thought of showing up to the doctor with a decoratively pruned lady garden makes the experience less humiliating!
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That made me laugh out loud. Repeatedly. x
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Kerri – Notwithstanding the merits of some of your argument: “But Julyna offers no immediate benefits to women.”
So, just what “immediate benefit” do men derive from Movember?
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I was comparing Julyna to the ‘Feel Them Up Friday’ campaign, which DID offer immediate benefits to women.
And then, as I go on to discuss, Julyna doesn’t work on a fundraising level either (whereas Movember does).
Furthermore, as I also mention, Movember helps to reduce the stigma of prostrate cancer, so I would consider that a benefit! Julyna will not.
Hope that clears it up.
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Couldn’t agree more with your article. It seems like a misplaced stunt to attract media attention but is diverting people away from the real issue, i.e. women should make an appointment with their doctor immediately if they’re concerned about anything, and should keep any appointments for check-ups.
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It doesn’t really offend me, but then are people going to be expected to whip out their pubis for inspection, seeing as one can see the results of Movember? Or are we just meant to take their word for it?
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I’m casting a vote for the “take their word for it” camp!
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Smeartember? Spread ‘em in Sept? Pop in for a Pap?
All pretty crap, but FAR better than Julyna!
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Why as a society have we become obsessed with pubes?
This campaign is in very poor taste. It won’t encourage women to have regular pap tests and the money raised will more than likely be negated by the promotional costs.
Interestingly I’m yet to see and ad or a beauty salon in Singapore advertising Brazillians. Skin whitening? Yes. But Brazillians, no.
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Interesting that you mention skin whitening, I watched a UK doco about de-racialisation and it was rather disturbing. Skin whitening is certainly becoming popular in certain cultures. Maybe MM can do a story on it?
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Why do marketing geniuses think everything needs to be pornified?
Need to sell kiddie clothes? Put the logo “future porn star” on the T shirts.
Need to raise the profile of a starlet? Turn her into a gyrating, nearly nude S&M lover who asks for whips and chains… after her boyfriend beat the crap out of her.
Need to raise awareness about a female cancer? Go the porn route.
I know that genital waxing has gone mainstream, but its origins are firmly rooted (sorry!) in the porn industry.
I hear young girls say that they feel so much “cleaner” without pubic hair.
If an adult woman prefers to wax, it’s no one’s business – but as a cultural trend that has swept up a whole generation of girls, it’s a bit of a worry.
It’s problematic for two reasons:
1) origins in the porn industry – why did women feel they need to look like porn-stars to be sexy? To be fair, now that it’s mainstream, the porn link is less clear.
2) the “cleanliness” argument is scary, scary misinformation. Hair is critical as a physical barrier, and – even more – as a good-bacterial barrier to thrush and other nasties.
While there are some cultures that have shaved pubes for millennia, it’s always been done by both genders. It has traditionally been a means of reducing pests like pubic lice.
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Could you please clarify how hair is a good-bacterial barrier to thrush? My understanding was that thrush originates inside the vagina due to yeast overgrowth of the bacteria inside your vagina so what does hair on the outside have to do with it? Could you please quote your source – are you a GP/Gyno/nurse? I have been having brazilians for years and have not noticed any increase in any “nasties”. Also re your first point I think you are generalising just a touch, I never felt the need to look like a “porn starlet” the reason why I first had it done was because I heard it feels great in bed and for me anyway it is 100% true….without going into too much detail it definitely heightens sensitivity in that area.
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Anonymous, please reread what I wrote.
I *never* said that women who have Brazilians today are emulating porn stars, but there is certainly consensus that the trend most certainly began in the porn industry.
Please also reread to understand that I believe that it is *no one’s* business what an *adult woman* does with her body.
As for the thrush issue, it is just one of a constellation of health problems that can arise from a Brazilian.
I am pleased you have never suffered from these; however, you might Google “Brazilian wax health risks” for a vast quantity of information. There are 2,240,000 results, such as:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1165754/How-safe-Brazilian-wax-They-dont-just-hurt-like-mad–land-hospital.html
http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/beauty/hair-removal/bikini-wax5.htm
http://www.askdoctorforfree.com/ind_b_all.php?xq=108230&usage=Next%20Btn
Staphylococcus aureus is also fun:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikini_waxing#Precaution
And that’s just a cursory search.
Once again, I would like to emphasise that it is none of my business what you choose to do with your own body.
What bothers me is the erroneous belief of *young girls* that Brazilians result in more hygienic genitals and is the only way to be sexy.
PS – thrush can emerge in many parts of the body, including the vulva. It is not only a vaginal issue.
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Sorry but just because there 2,240,000 search hits on Google does not mean a lot! One of the first things you are taught in first year journalism at uni is that the internet is full of rubbish and you should be very careful of what you read. The websites you have referred to are not official medical journals, university or government websites. Same goes for wikepedia. Anyone can publish anything on the web. And yes I understand thrush can emerge in many parts of the body but you were specifically referring to the vagina and so was I. And as to your first point you said “why did women feel they need to look like porn-stars to be sexy?” -direct quote. You have said women here, not young girls. Which I was refuting, as I never felt the need to look like a porn star, that is not why I get brazilians.
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Anonymous, you continuously misquote and misrepresent what I write. This will be my final clarification.
You write, “You have said women here, not young girls. Which I was refuting, as I never felt the need to look like a porn star, that is not why I get brazilians.”
I have stated twice – clearly – that my arguments pertain *only* to young girl/women and their erroneous, pervasive belief that they must wax everything to be hygienic and sexy *as opposed* to adult women.
Once again, adult women have *every* right to do as they wish with their bodies.
This is *not* a personal attack against you, nor is it a prescription for any other adult woman.
As for uni journalism – by 3rd year, if you haven’t mastered Google, you fail
Seriously though, there are a number of peer reviewed studies emerging that demonstrate Wikipedia’s reliability. These too are easily found on Google.
You will most certainly find a plethora of medical opinion that confirms the existence of a multitude of risks associated with Brazilians.
No one – least of all me – is telling you that you cannot make the risk/benefit analysis yourself and choose the path that suits you best.
But to extrapolate your own experiences to the entirety of women’s health experience is not logically supportable.
Finally, if you Google nothing else, please Google, “vagina” and “vulva.” They are not the same.
You have consistently conflated the two, and then erroneously attributed that conflation to me.
I understand this discussion has resonance for you; however, this does not excuse broad misrepresentation.
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Haha, I wax / shave because it increases friction in bed, stimulating my clitoris, and allowing me to reach orgasm. Not because I want to look like a porn star.
I definitely feel ‘cleaner’ – there’s no sweat getting trapped down there and therefore less bacteria. It’s a lot easier for your skin to breathe without that barrier.
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I shave my pubic hair – in entirety – because I like the way it feels. For years I didn’t, I was not affected by porn or media or fashion. I tried a brazilian wax once – and that was enough, way too painful and humiliating.
Women should be able to make their own choice – without being criticised – per your post. I think you are taking it to an extreme. I do not believe that is right.
I have no health or mental issues because I am sans hair! I like it that way. It feels good to me.
Let it go. Let women make their choices, lighten up.
Let women make their own choices – without trying to turn it into some issue.
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Totally agree with you, your points are very valid.
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May I ask is it itchy when it grows back? How many days to you get hair free? I have only ever waxed…You don’t have to answer of course just curious…
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Hi, yes it was annoying/itching when I first started shaving. That’s the reason I initially tried waxing, but way too painful. But now, it doesn’t get itchy at all. Maybe my skin got used to it or I’m using a better razor – think it’s my skin got used to it.
Now I don’t have any aggravation, I just shave it in the shower every few days or so. I genuinely just like the feel of hair free.
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It does have it’s roots in porn, it was a fetish for a time back in the day. Pubic hair also keeps the pubic area warm and helps with the pheremone production (it traps the scent better). We are mammals, after all and still have the same processes/functions.
Waxing is know for creating ingrown hair too. If staph gets into it….well oww.
As you can tell, I don’t brazilian, but I don’t care who does. I have, however seen boils, cysts and fistulas in the external female genitals (not all necessarily from brazilians), so I’d rather not risk them myself.
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I nor any or my group of close female friends (approx 10 women) have never experienced an ingrown hair or anything similar. Not once.
Sounds like an ignorant scare campaign to me.
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Oh I get 1 or 2 but easily fixed.
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Not one ingrown hair? Seriously? You are all pretty damn lucky then. Out of curiosity, did you do a quick whip around to your friends this morning asking them, or is it a topic that comes up regularly? “Any ingrowns this month? Raise your hands. No? Next on the agenda…”
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My best friend and I have both previously had such bad ingrowns from braz waxing we required antibiotics.
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Plenty of men I know have shaved or waxed pubes as well so it is not just about women or the porn industry…I love the clean feeling, it increases sexual pleasure, I can keep an eye on things so to speak and my partner does it too so I don’t feel like a porn star or sexualised. I just like it and plenty of women say they would never go back after having it done. Each to their own I say
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A dear friend of mine is a survivor of cervical cancer and as a result of the numerous surgeries she endured, now has no sex organs. None.
I don’t think she would appreciate this campaign.
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While we’re on the subject of pubic hair – I’ve never done more than a trim (the discomfort of the regrowth is enough to turn me off the whole thing) but I”m interested with those that do – what do you tell your daughters and sons? My girls ask if they will have hair there one day and it opens the door to the changes in the body discussion – what will you expect from your girls when they get hair there? Just interested?
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There was a post on MM about this a while ago (“Is that a goatee on your lady garden” I think) which had me thinking the same question. Either the author or a commenter mentioned that we shave/wax our underarms without really thinking about the message it sends to our kids, so why should the pubic region be any different? I thought that was a really good point.
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As a woman, I shave my legs, underarms, and have hair removal on my arms and have a full Brazilian. I also pluck my eyebrows religiously. Why is it perfectly acceptable (expected) that you remove hair from legs, underarms etc, but its weird to remove from the vagina? I regularly shower/bathe with my toddler daughter and Ill say it’s Mummy’s choice – you can keep your hair or take it off when you are a grown up – its your choice.
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“As a woman” I don’t shave legs, underarms arms or have a full brazilian. I don’t think it’s perfectly acceptable to remove hair from all those places. I think it’s a bit weird!
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I only said as a woman to make the point that i’m not a man. Sad that you have to say my choices aren’t ‘normal’ I think your choice to keep your hair is fine and don’t judge you for it.
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All good. Keep shaving! You are certainly normal by our societal standards.
I just think it’s v sad that it is the norm to not just live with what grow naturally/ constantly. What a lot of hassle and money goes into body hair removal! Honestly- as much as anything I’m too lazy to give a fuck!
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Why on earth do you think it’s weird? I could say, but I don’t, that I think it’s “weird” that you don’t shave. But instead I accept and understand that we have personal choices. We should all accept these.
I do think it’s “weird” that you “don’t think it’s perfectly acceptable to remove hair from all those places”. It’s her choice, why do you even care?!
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Have you mistaken me for someone else with a different opinion?
I don’t care what any given individual does. (Use of ‘weird’ just a response to above post!)
I do think it’s a shame that as a society it is weirder to go “au naturel” than pluck/shave/spend loads of time and money on getting rid of a normal human ‘condition’.
I am, as far as I’m aware still entitled to an opinion?!
(I’ll be telling my girls the same thing as Anna- ie it’s your choice)
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If you’re prepared to place a comment on here, or anywhere, then you should expect responses.
You did say that you think it’s “weird” for people to remove hair from those places – that comment absolutely warrants a response as it has.
There is nothing weird about a womans personal choice about removing hair from any part of her body.
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You know what?
Maybe I’ll stop visiting. Reactionary, uncharitable responses are just annoying.
Are you trying to be offended?
My initial comment was not supposed to be taken so seriously. I forget that I am not amongst friends here. At least read what I’ve written- I never called shaving people weird.
Cheers, for a crap conversation Louisec!
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Per your reply further down on how offended you are my response to your posting …….
You state that you never called “shaving people weird” – well here’s your comment:-
“As a woman” I don’t shave legs, underarms arms or have a full brazilian. I don’t think it’s perfectly acceptable to remove hair from all those places. I think it’s a bit weird!”
Make up your mind – you’re now saying you didn’t say it was “weird” but in this comment you clearly did. This is what I and others were responding to.
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“Why is it perfectly acceptable (expected) that you remove hair from legs, underarms etc, but its weird to remove from the vagina? ” (Anna)
I humorously (I thought) responded to Anna by stating that I thought *all* hair removal was weird. Get it?
No?
Whatever.
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I’ve re-read your comment as well – which was
“As a woman” I don’t shave legs, underarms arms or have a full brazilian. I don’t think it’s perfectly acceptable to remove hair from all those places. I think it’s a bit weird!”
Your opinion is really straight forward. I checked again, to make sure, and can not find any tone of humour in it.
i think you’re back peddling because you don’t like the responses which are quite fair and reasonable.
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Oh great, another humourless poster.
Well as long as you double checked- I guess your ability to read minds can’t be faulted!
Holy shit people.
Most of my female friends remove their body hair. I still love them. I don’t think they’re particularly strange. Thank god they love me too, they’d know when I was trying to be amusing whilst having my opinion.
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It has nothing to do with being humorless. You are bitching and whining over responses to your comment which was very clear. Is it necessary to repeat yr comment again?!
““As a woman” I don’t shave legs, underarms arms or have a full brazilian. I don’t think it’s perfectly acceptable to remove hair from all those places. I think it’s a bit weird!”
What’s funny about it?! You keep claiming it was in humour. But you’re the only person on here to think that.
It was a clear statement that you think that removing hair from these areas is “weird”.
At least have the gumption to stand by your opinions instead of now trying to be a victim.
No one is being mean to you or unfair or unreasonable, people are simply replying to your comment.
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Not a victim!
Not taking you all too seriously!
I stand by my opinion.
I was also trying to be humerous.
I don’t think you are being mean to me- I’m not 6! And I have thicker skin than that.
Phew.
The End
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goodness hairy, you’ve fired em up tonight!?!? If everyones drawing battlelines to gang up on commenters, can I be on your side? Totally got the innocuous nature of your comments.
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Ahh, god bless you Hayli!
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For heavens sake! If people want to get nasty, go to another blog site!! Keep it civil ladies!!
And it IS a bit weird to remove all evidence of adult sexual characteristics!! Errr, and I DO remove, doesn’t stop it being a bit weird!!
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Totally agree. Well put.
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Totally agree!
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I’m in agreement with this too.
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Really easy. Simply tell the children, boys or girls, that you like the way it feels/looks whatever, without hair. I shave my armpits because I prefer them hairless, exactly the same thing for my pubic region/genitals.
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Well said.
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No expectation…That is completely up to them when they are mature enough to make these decisions. Hair, less hair, no hair – up to the individual. We brazilian lovers do not place expectations on others and especially not on our children. I like body hair but I don’t like a bikini line so huge that spreads down towards my knees so I wax no biggie.
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What I’m wondering is how you’d prove to your sponsors that you went through with it? “Here Boss, look, I ended up going with the runway…”
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Love it….exactly!!!!
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Silly idea. I think Nicole says it well. How could this raise awareness? Badges, red noses, ribbons, shaved heads and mo’s are all noticable! Not to mention the factor of compounding the notion that women need to wax their pubes to be somehow acceptable! Crazy!
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Silly idea and Nicole says it brilliantly. How is this campaign going to be ‘shown?’ a badge, red nose, ribbon, Shaved head or mo are all noticeable. How could this campaign ever achieve that?
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No way! I wouldn’t want to discuss my lack of hair with anyone other than my boyfriend and friends … however I would definitely grow my hair for a cause! I’d love to not shave my legs and bikini for a whole month!
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It’s very silly, for more than one reason.
Firstly, I can name maybe two people with whom I would be willing to discuss the state of my pubic hair. It would be downright inappropriate for me to discuss my pubes with many others I know. Who am I supposed to solicit for donations/sponsorship? My boss? My coworkers? My grandmother?
Also, I think Movember and Shave for a Cure are both very visible. You see a normally clean-shaven man with a moustache in November and you might wonder if he was growing it for Movember. Someone turns up with a shaved head during March (I think that’s when Shave for a Cure is on?) and “charity” would probably be the conclusion I’d jump to. So even though I might not be sponsoring those people, they’re raising awareness and causing me to think about the issue. Maybe I’ll sponsor them next year or maybe I’ll go and look up some other cancer charities and make a donation.
But Julyna? How many women are displaying their pubes to all and sundry on a regular basis? I don’t really see how this does such a great job of raising awareness or funds.
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I think poor taste. Wouldn’t do it.
Don’t really care what other woman do (or don’t do) with their pubic hair, but I’m a bit over discussions about it.
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I’m with you Eloise, I’m over talking about women shaving/waxing – whatever.
Do what you want. Be happy. I don’t give two hoots about it.
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The fashion trend of shaving or waxing pubic hair has come from the pornography industry. Women have been conned into the idea that is it unhygienic to have pubic. There are some unfortunate side effects to removing it. It is generally agreed that the reason we evolved with pubic hair was to create a much larger surface area or wick to trap the subtle pheromones which attract and keep a mate who is a genetic opposite. There is also the other hideous looking side effect of infected ingrown hairs. The other evolutionary reason for growing pubic hair is to show fertility. I fail to see why grown women want to look like children. I have heard it described as a conspiracy against women. As a man, I would prefer women to stop the waxing at the bikini line and embrace the beauty that mother nature endowed them with.
It does seem an odd way to promote awareness of cervical cancer.
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Oh Ben! Your cheesy promotion poster says it all. I CHOOSE to shave my genital area. Absolutely NOTHING to do with porn, media or fashion. Your posting is so arrogant, condescending and quite insulting.
I have not been conned by anyone. I am a smart, independent, successful woman. I make my own personal choices thank you.
How dare you even think yourself equipped to comment on this subject.
“Unfortunate sides to removing it” – really?! Besides your inane comment about “hideous looking side effect of infected ingrown hairs” – what are you talking about?!
On what basis/experience do you even state this?! That is definitely a rhetorical question – I have no interest in any further of your uninformed, subjective opinion.
I am absolutely stunned at the ignorance and idiocy of your posting. It really does not deserve a response.
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Well said Louisec. Ben you need to really review your attitude. Your comments are quite ignorant.
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I am way too angry at his post to even bother commenting, thanks for saying it for me!
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Well said sister
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Ben, hop back into your box, male or female your comments are inappropriate and uneducated.
Also, find another forum on which to promote yourself please!
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I think Ben has a point – although he hasn’t explained himself very well.
I agree that the trend of waxing/shaving pubic hair originated, or at least gained momentum, from the porn industry. After listening to talks by anti-pornography activist Gail Dines at the Sydney Writer’s Festival back in May she had a lot of valid points about why this is the case. Now I don’t agree with all of Gail’s theories but this one – I do.
It’s not about women not being able to make their own choices regarding their pubic hair. Hell, I do and so do millions of women everyday. But it has become a bit strange for women not to remove their pubic hair, and men or women who we are sexually active with comment on this. It has happened to me, I’m sure it’s happened to you.
Sure us ladies can make our own decisions about what we feel comfortable with when choosing to remove all our pubic hair, some of it or none at all. Although I do feel that this trend began in the porn industry – and men predominately watch porn and liked it so this has influenced women.
This isn’t a bad thing – some women like being hairless but it shouldn’t be for whoever we’re having sex with it should be for ourselves. Unfortunately I think young girls think that it’s sexier to be hairless and with that “everyone’s doing it” attitude it can make women feel if they don’t look like everyone else than there’s something wrong with them.
Personally being completely hairless is not for me. I think it’s important to maintain hygiene, have regular pap smears and be who we want to be over who our sexual partners want us to look like.
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How the hell does having pubes show fertility?
I’m sure there are plenty of women out there who are infertile who would have pubes, and vice versa. If only it were that easy to tell, plenty of women would have been saved the heartbreak that finding out you’re infertile brings.
I don’t know anyone who shaves or waxes for “fashion”. What a ridiculous assumption.
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he said evolutionary wise, ie that link b/w pubes and fertilitiy, that you are of a “woman’s age” ie that you are an adult not a child.
obviously does not have the same connotations in these times. cheesy poster aside, fair points Ben. strangely put some of them…
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It’s a ridiculously stupid idea. Why can’t they come up with a plan that actually encourages women to go and get a pap smear.
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Totally agree. Pap smears are the key. Women – if you’re due – GO GET ONE!
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The plan is me, threatening everyone with a bat!
ha ha. I am ‘that’ friend who always tells everyone to get pap smears. Cannot stand the ‘it’s uncomfortable/awkward’ excuse, the doctor has seen more vaginas in their lives than you could even comprehend, it’s just another day at the office!
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Pap smears are definitely not as uncomfortable/awkward or painful as a brazilian wax!!! & “everyone” is getting those! (not me, I’m too chicken,lol! I’ll just do the life-saving Pap Smears thanks!) (& they’re only every 2 years & free!)
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Growing a Mo is easy to monitor but how does one verify that purported pubic follicle sculpting has been undertaken without getting just a little personal.
Mind you for those that don’t have a problem with it if it raises money and awareness …
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My husband grew a mo for Movember and I happily took progress shots of his upper lip and emailed them all over town.
Can’t say there would be a reciprocal arrangement for Julyna o_O
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….progress shots of, um, the lower lips? lol. oh dear.
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To be honest, I don’t see there’s too much of a problem with it. If it raises even $1 for cervical cancer research that’s $1 more than would otherwise have been raised, right?
Also I don’t think the point of the fundraising idea is to make people think that the pubic region is actually “like a lotto scratchie, in which you remove the surface and discover if there’s something sinister underneath”—I think it’s just trying to raise awareness and attention. The title of the article and the tone seemed to suggest the Canadian Cancer society were suggesting that there was some medical benefit to shaving your pubes–which they’re clearly not.
Don’t think it’s particularly well-exectued or will be taken up the way movember was taken up, but really, moustaches are nowhere near the prostate either.
I don’t find it offensive but maybe the fact that others do will raise more awareness about cervical cancer, which in my mind is a bonus!!
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“If it raises even $1 for cervical cancer research that’s $1 more than would otherwise have been raised, right?”
True but how much money is the Canadian Cancer Society spending on promoting this campaign? I understand, of course, that charities need to spend money on promotion and advertising in order to bring in even more money but in this particular case, I think the money would have been better spent elsewhere. I just don’t think it’s going to bring in the funds that they’re hoping for.
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Didn’t hear of Feel Them Up Friday, which I think is genious. This, however, is ridiculous. You’re right – there’s no way I would approach anyone asking for cash to shave my pubes into a lightening bolt. I’d prefer just to say “I’m raising money for cervical cancer – care to donate?”
On the subject of pube shaving, I was just wondering – on the few occasions I’ve done the Brazilian, I’ve always had an outbreak of thrush. Was this just a co-incidence or is there a link with having no pubes and getting thrush? Anyone else get thrush after a Brazilian?
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The only thing I can suggest is – Pubic hair protects the vagina from bad bacteria getting in, so Brazilians would technically make you more suscpetible to infection. Maybe it just isn’t your thing?
Good luck!!
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Yes, I agree. Always thought it was too much of a coincidence that I had the thrush breakout at the same time. Hated the brazilian anyway so this is just another reason to stop getting it done!
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they shud wait for January and call it Fanuary instead.
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They tried that in New Zealand!
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Fanuary!!! Love it!! Especially after watching the perfect vagina the other night… We all need a little fanny love
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I’m happy to have a discussion about pubic hair in the office but I’m not sure I want MY pubic hair to be item three on the agenda “so team, how much will we donate for Kirsty’s lightning bolt bush?”
Great article Kerri,
Kirsty
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Hmmm…. loving the lightning bolt concept, though…..!
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The biggest problem with this campaign, to my mind, is that it is essentially invisible. Unless there is a special day in which women walk around pants-free to display their handiwork…
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In most cases i would pay my colleagues to STOP talking about the landscaping of their lady-gardens!
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LOL.
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I think it would work better if women were encouraged to grow their own funny moustaches…down there…Moginas…then it would be equivalent to Movember….
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How ridiculous! I’m no prude either but would really struggle to find a way to promote this amongst friends and colleagues. I have an idea, ” Let’s Nail Cervical Cancer!” By decorating our nails in beautiful or outrageous ways to promote the cause. I think that would really take off!
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Are you serious, or tongue in cheek? Another unfortunate double entendre, there, mentioning cervixes and nailing in one sentence…
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Sorry I am seriously the queen of double entendre, thanks for pointing that out
I thought I might be onto something….
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I think it’s brilliant! I love the idea. The double entendre is fun!
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Thanks Lizzy!!
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Errrrmmm… imagine asking your work colleagues to donate so you can shave your pubes.. Seems distasteful to me!
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So, there has to be a better image than this one…she is so THIN…or maybe a bit photoshopped?
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Give me a break. Whoever it is looks a slender but healthy weight. Don’t get me wrong , the skins probably been cleaned up. Not every single photo there ever was has to be criticised for containing slender women!
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Why don’t we have shave your pubes for prostate day, instead. How well would that go down? Pardon the pun
And P.S. – feeling sorry for those who click on Mamamia at work lately….fairly high fanny on cover image proportions
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Yup – super awks at work!
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You’re not supposed to be reading this at work! I’m sure that’s not what your boss is paying you for!
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