History, Herstory, Hairstory: A History and Analysis of Body and Pubic Hair Removal in the United States

Author/Creator

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2015

Department

Program

Bachelor's Degree

Citation of Original Publication

Rights

Collection may be protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. To obtain information or permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Goucher Special Collections & Archives at 410-337-6347 or email archives@goucher.edu.

Abstract

The removal of body hair, emphatically pubic hair, has become a widespread and expected societal practice in the United States. This is due (in part) to changing media representations and acceptance of body hair on both men and women. This essay explores the changing nature of the removal of body hair in the United States from historical, feminist, health, and critical perspectives. I analyze relevant literature as well as online and magazine articles, blog posts, and images. I interviewed females and males of varying ages, races, gender identities and sexual orientations to gather contemporary and pertinent information about how a diverse range of people feel about pubic hair removal today.