Letters to the Editor
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It ain't an all-or-nothing proposition
This is an issue I've given a fair amount of thought to in the past year or so. When I was in college, about a decade ago, I stopped shaving altogether because I was so offended by the expectation that all women (at least all straight women) must shave to be presentable. I continued unshorn for a number of years until I found myself in a near-sexless long-term relationship. The situation made me feel icky and unattractive, and I was older and heavier than I had been in college, so I began shaving again as part of an attempt to keep my self-esteem intact (my boyfriend liked me unshaven, so it was a bit of a "screw you" as well. So to speak.).
Several years and one catastrophic breakup down the line, I found myself entering what promised to be a very well-sexed relationship, and just for the perverse hell of it I decided to trim my trim for new boyfriend's benefit, just cutting back the bush a bit but not going entirely bare anywhere. A while later, just because, as you say, why not? I decided to shave the southern coast of my nethers, i.e. the outer labia and inner thigh, while leaving the exterior hair trimmed but intact. This worked well for me and for him (slipperier sex, fewer hairs caught in teeth, etc), yet I still look like a woman full-grown. I've considered waxing and lasering but modesty and low funds have kept me shaving. It does take some modicum of effort (I have to shave every couple of days to avoid discomfort) but it's just part of my (extremely limited) beauty routine now.
I guess my point is a) there's nothing wrong with pubic hair, b) there's nothing wrong with no pubic hair, and c) a happy medium exists depending on what you or your partner are looking for.
- mar