@CeliaInSF

What I was saying is that I don't think men are reminded of girls when they see a shaved woman or express interest in that look, but women might find it a little reminiscent. I did. And I saw other girls besides myself. Swimming, sleep overs, but what it looked like - when I shaved myself and looking down at it - it reminded ME of my 11 year old look. I wasn't looking at hips or breasts - just the bare mound. It looked girlish to me.

As far as "trimming" I always have because I don't like hair outside of my undies - we are not talking about men requesting a little trim. They want the whole shaved look - and not for themself. At least I have yet to encounter a man who goes bare.

Dating at the shallow end? Maybe that is what's out there? You and I are in the same ball park for age. If you weren't happily paired or ended up having to get back in the dating pool - you'd find men are really influenced by what they see and have an expectation that you provide them with it - or at least satisfy their curiousity.

This isn't about hating men - it is a distict difference that I did not encounter 10 years ago. It is a definate change. Getting back in the pool after a decade has been . . . revealing.

@CeliaInSF

This was long before the trend, but I also shaved. Curiosity - no male involved. And I found the look disturbingly like how I looked as a 11-12 year old. Never did it again and it itched like hell growing back. So I think it does remind some women of their girlish self. I don't think the shaved look reminds men of "girls" because I don't think most men have seen a lot of naked 11 year old. I think there "might" be a gender skew regarding what bare represents.

As far as preferences go. Yeah, sure, preferences can be requested. But if someone goes into a relationship liking really large breasts and then hints and complains that their girlfriend is not as large as they want (yeah - really happens - and I am "average"), then I think this is totally unfair. Yes - implants is not the same as waxing/shaving, but is still is a voiced disfatisfaction with the partner's body.

I've yet to hear "I'll shave too!" from those who make the hints to me.

My "preference" would be that if someone really likes the look - that should be discussed up front since this is an intimate sexually preference. I haven't got to the point I ask up front - should I?

Do I really have to start asking potential partners if they like natural female bodies? I think I have just reached a level of annoyed that I have little humour left for these "requests". Or this trend.

Hah! I wish they did. Seriously. Then I would know which ones are the men who want shaved. Saves me time and eye rolling.

Unfortunately - this preference comes out after sex usually in increasingly direct "hints". I am not a neanderthal - I am clean and groomed - I just don't see why this trend has become so desired. I don't want to do this any more than I want to do botox, breast implants, or get that tattoo across my backside to let people know how sexy and original I am . . . . I don't care what you or someone else wants - I do not want to do it and I don't want someone "hinting" that is what they like. It is annoying and I really have no interest wasting my time on some man who wants me to be someone else.

I don't tell men how to dress or groom though I do expect clean. Why should I conform to what they see in mags or in porn?

And if your really are interested in the degree of disgust leveled at women regarding this issue - try reading some of the forums on a dating site. Men are pretty to the point with their preferences, though I doubt they would be so direct to a woman they want to have sex with first.

As far as consumerism - we are allowing ourselves to be commidified. This targeting of men is just the latest untamed field yet to be mowed.

Why must the choice to shave or not to shave, for men or women, be so fraught with political baggage?

Because so many men, and not just the young un's raised on Internet porn, are insistant upon women being shaved and expressing disgust at a normal feature on an adult female.

10 years ago I was normal - now I am a disgusting outlier?

Grooming is good. Adhering to porn fashion . . . not interested.

The person that ends the marriage is the one who changed the contract - divorce is just the paperwork.

Oh - and any non-cloistered 12 year old can figure out things when mom/dad move out and go live with boy/girlfriend.

A market not yet milked completely . . .