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PUBLIC OPINION > Women Are Better Off Shaving Their Armpits

SodaHead Living 2012/05/07 13:00:00
Some people meditate to reflect on their self-image, or if they're really serious about it, visit other cultures where the idea of beauty is different. Few people do what Emer O'Toole is doing. The 28-year-old Dublin resident stopped shaving her armpits and legs 18 months ago. Of course, other people have done it -- even well-known people. Julia Roberts' unshaven appearance at the "Notting Hill" premiere in 1999 is probably the most notorious instance, but Drew Barrymore, Fergie, Lily Allen, and Tyra Banks have all done it, too. We asked more than 800 people if they think it's gross.

armpits recap

While O'Toole's confidence is admirable, it's not going to fly for most people. It's just too weird. For every person who admires her for what she's doing, two people can't help but be grossed out but it. Although, to a certain extent, that's why she did it. The Top Opinion wrote, "Sometimes it's good to question societal conventions. Good for her for having the courage to do just that." More often, comments read something like this: "Ewwwww. I don't care how natural it is. That's why women wax the unibrow."

Men Are Slightly More Grossed Out

Technically men were more grossed out than women by about 4%, but that's barely within the margin of error. We were actually kind of surprised to see so little variance between the male and female vote, but it indicates that this particular form of trichophobia does not discriminate. Both men and women are, for the most part, grossed out by it.

Bisexuals Put Up With It

There were only a few demographics that actually sided with O'Toole in a majority vote, and none of them were very strong. The strongest, however, was the bisexual vote. Bisexual voters were 24% more likely to condone female armpit hair and 5% more likely than homosexual voters, for a total of 55%. Obviously, bisexuals are going to be more willing to challenge gender norms and leave them open to interpretation.

Overweight Are Kind of OK With It

The most interesting correlation we came across was in the weight category. All weight classes save for the heaviest ("love handles") hovered around 30% approval, but 51% of overweight voters were OK with it. A quote from O'Toole might explain why: "I've started to examine where my confidence comes from. If it's my looks, and my self-esteem is linked to that, then I've realized I need to find other sources for that confidence."

If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about female armpit hair. We'd love to hear from you!
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Top Opinion

  • Bigbrowneyes 2012/05/07 17:13:33
    Bigbrowneyes
    +17
    I still can't get over how much hair she has under her arms...I don't shave at all and most people can't really notice.And contrary to popular belief, most women do not have anywhere near the amount of body hair that men do, and even if some do, so what?

    Again. It's not about cleanliness. If you think that, then shave your head because sweat and oil get trapped. There's this cool thing called soap, if you didn't know, and it's used to remove germs

    The only thing that you can legitimately argue is its aesthetic appearance in terms of your cultural relativism. You don't have to do it, but please stop insulting people who are happy with their natural bodies.

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Opinions

  • Buoyant Leadraft 2012/05/08 06:49:07
  • Xed0 2012/05/08 04:34:47
    Xed0
    +1
    Heck yeah lady!

    I despise women who only care about image, I am currently dating a woman that uses little to no makeup, she is gorgeous all by herself, doesn't need anything to help her out :)
  • Buoyant... Xed0 2012/05/08 14:52:58
    Buoyant Leadraft
    Does she shave her armpits and leg?
  • Xed0 Buoyant... 2012/05/09 23:24:40
    Xed0
    She doesn't have to shave her legs very much, its all soft and peach fuzzy, she "trims" her underarm hair, but never cuts it all the way off.



    Being a Russian Japanese hybrid kinda helps with that ;)
  • Buoyant... Xed0 2012/05/09 23:31:50
    Buoyant Leadraft
    I think i just about puked...but thank you!
  • Xed0 Buoyant... 2012/05/09 23:41:48
    Xed0
    HAHA, yeah, She maintains herself well, not totally natural, but fuzzy enough to feel dangerous is what she always tells me.



    She actually used it as a ward from men, we met at a time she didn't really want to see anyone so she used her bodies natural ability to....keep men away, She said it was working fine until some idiot at a concert made a bee line for her despite this.



    We've been together for almost 2 years now....BUT, she does shave....other regions....:P
  • Buoyant... Xed0 2012/05/09 23:52:16 (edited)
    Buoyant Leadraft
    WOW, I'm a gay dude. so i don't mind hairy guys, i kinda like it. It is odd to hear a heterosexual man to not be turned off by this. I guess after looking at Carmen Electra, it seems we are all the same, aside from the boobs and vagina thingy. Well good for you! I must confess, i like women plucked and smooth, but i am not the one sleeping with them. :-)
  • Aquaduck 2012/05/08 03:13:00
    Aquaduck
    That must stink- bacteria gets easily trapped in under-arm hair. Even if you clean, and does she wear deoderent? I know deodorant gets stuck in the hair too, so you see this white chalky-looking substance under someone's arms; quite unsightly.
  • Riobhca 2012/05/08 03:08:06 (edited)
    Riobhca
    +3
    I disagree with the majority. She is not better off shaving. Good for her for being herself instead of allowing herself to be intimidated by a superficial society that cares more about being a conforming sheep who never questions "societal conventions" than it does about asking what should be truly important. I hope she decides to never shave. For centuries women never thought about shaving armpits and suddenly western society with its arrogant superiority complex passes judgment on anything that does not conform to its arbitrary conventions.
  • Buoyant... Riobhca 2012/05/08 06:56:40 (edited)
    Buoyant Leadraft
    +1
    I think this woman should be euthanized and made an example of what will not be tolerated.
    She not only better shave her damn pits, but she also better put on a gowd damn bra, and brush her fricken teeth.
  • Twinky Buoyant... 2012/05/08 07:01:21
    Twinky
    urm... where does it look like she has bad teeth or no bra?
  • Buoyant... Twinky 2012/05/08 14:51:00
    Buoyant Leadraft
    +1
    I was suggesting she was a hippy woman's free libber type .. :-) it was a joke
    It is rather gross though, in my opinion.
  • Twinky Buoyant... 2012/05/08 22:03:15
    Twinky
    Oooh... so you don't know her then...
  • Buoyant... Twinky 2012/05/08 22:09:05 (edited)
    Buoyant Leadraft
    +1
    LOL, No Dear, I don't know her. But I have met her hairy armpits.
  • Lordy :D Buoyant... 2012/05/09 02:47:48 (edited)
    Lordy :D
    This was a moronic comment. Is this what you think should be done to everyone who disagrees with you and your viewpoint? How pathetic. And you know, there are few things that people should actually be executed for, you brute. And being hairy--because it IS her right as a human being to be so, if she wishes--isn't one of them.

    What? You want a dictatorship that orders everyone to reach so-and-so's image of perfection, death being the punishment if they refuse to conform? If that's the case, poor you. No one likes a trolling jerk.
  • AskZilla Riobhca 2012/05/08 16:46:25
    AskZilla
    A conforming sheep? Nice try, but it's about hygiene and not stinking up the place. Gross.
  • wallygator64 2012/05/08 02:18:09
    wallygator64
    +1
    This is a really preety girl......please please shave them pits!If I saw that in a bar or on the beach I would be turned off.
  • KristinnC: 2012/05/08 01:40:54
    KristinnC:
    +1
    i think tht its her body so she can whatever she wants with it!;D
  • rustyshackelford 2012/05/08 00:53:14
  • Soms Cougli 2012/05/07 23:36:01
    Soms Cougli
    +4
    No, women are not "better off" shaving their armpits; the majority of the public have stated that they prefer women to shave their armpits. We wouldn't have hair there if it was meant to be shaven off. How can it be socially acceptable for a man to look like a damn gorilla, while we, as women, "should" shave our legs, our armpits, our arms, and our genitals? How ridiculously unfair!
    Good on her, for loving and accepting her body the way it was meant to be!

    (Though, as I said on the poll, I didn't grow armpit hair lol...)
  • Riobhca Soms Co... 2012/05/08 03:07:09
    Riobhca
    +1
    Very well said. I agree.
  • Jon Peter 2012/05/07 23:35:16
    Jon Peter
    Pit bull ! Must have a lot of deodorant on hand.
  • goblue1968 2012/05/07 23:21:45
    goblue1968
    +1
    Kind of weird, but that's just because I'm not used to seeing that on a woman. I suppose if I was raised in a country where that is common I wouldn't give it a second thought. But then again, I have never shaved my armpits my entire life, and I've never had bushes like she's showing off!!
  • ♥Almost_Alyssa♥ 2012/05/07 22:32:38
    ♥Almost_Alyssa♥
    +3
    that is absolutely disgusting.
  • ★earthbound_misfit★ 2012/05/07 22:31:13
    ★earthbound_misfit★
    +1
    I simply do not care what other people choose to do with their bodies. Would I do it? No. Does it affect my life in the slightest if she does it? No!
  • louis bagley 2012/05/07 22:28:02
    louis bagley
    +1
    a little bang in the pits....
  • Met 2012/05/07 22:14:46
    Met
    +1
    Feel free to not shave your armpits.

    We'll feel free to bed your friends instead.
  • Nekosarethebest 2012/05/07 22:07:50
    Nekosarethebest
    Not really. Nobody SHOULD do anything they wish not to.
  • Rubyking 2012/05/07 22:07:47
    Rubyking
    +2
    meh, who cares
  • Michaela★ 2012/05/07 21:29:09
    Michaela★
    +2
    Shave your armpits... simple as that. shave your legs too well you're at it, espeically if you plan to wear shorts/dress or a short sleeved shirt. Being hygenic doesn't mean you are high mantiance or shallow, it means you like to feel, look and be clean.
  • TKramar Michaela★ 2012/05/07 22:07:36
    TKramar
    +5
    Then men should shave too.
  • Michaela★ TKramar 2012/05/07 22:15:01
    Michaela★
    +1
    Maybe not their legs, but their armpits they should. It's not that hard to shave, since when did shaving become such a controversal issue, people don't have to shave but if you plan to wear like a short, short sleeved shirt or a skirt, um, please just shave. Someone can decide not to but don't be offended when people give you weird looks because your legs are like a jungle and you are wearing shorts (if you're a women). I don't know, just what I think =)
  • TKramar Michaela★ 2012/05/07 22:16:51
    TKramar
    +2
    I've had women ask me to shave both. And I've complied for them. But normally, it is socially acceptable for men to walk around with hairy legs, chest, and armpits, but not for women? Seems a bit unfair.
  • Michaela★ TKramar 2012/05/07 23:15:08
    Michaela★
    +1
    Yeah, I wouldnt have a guy shave his legs for me, I mean armpits is one thing, lol. I mean with women sadly yes we have to endure more crap physically, I mean personally being kind of the girly girl I am unfortunately, I think it's a little gross if a women doesn't shave her legs and espeically armpits regulary during short/tank-top season.
  • Met TKramar 2012/05/07 22:15:45
    Met
    +1
    No because men can still get laid with hair on their legs and armpits.

    Women, not so much.
  • TKramar Met 2012/05/07 22:18:36
    TKramar
    +1
    I don't care one way or the other. It's not like I'm going to be screwing their armpits or legs...
  • Met TKramar 2012/05/07 23:03:07
    Met
    well enjoy your hairy freaks, they need lovin too.
  • TKramar Met 2012/05/08 09:11:38
    TKramar
    as I said, it really doesn't matter one way or the other.
  • Met TKramar 2012/05/08 09:32:13
    Met
    Good for you. I like smooth and attractive, not hairy and masculine.

    I throw up a little in my mouth each time i think about cuddling up with furry legs or burying my face in a hairy armpit...

    just ick. If i wanted to fck dudes i'd fck dudes.
  • TKramar Met 2012/05/08 10:53:00
    TKramar
    +1
    If it's gross, then you should shave too.

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2013/05/25 21:28:01

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