I’ve had a lot of nicknames, more than most, I think. Sonja boi, J, Gerber, Jaskinky, Keeks, Jas. But one of the worst nicknames was The Jungle. I had this nickname in middle school because I didn’t (and still don’t) shave my legs (and armpits too). Matthew Immergut states that body hair is seen as a manifestation of a nasty and wild nature so ‘The Jungle’ is probably accurate nickname for a hairy twelve-year-old.

I think the choice not to shave has been influenced by many factors. In Sikhi one of the central tenants is that a Sikh shouldn’t remove (cut, shave, wax…) body hair. In middle school I was devoted to being a good Sikh so I could not bring myself to shave. In middle school I was also exploring my sexuality-turns out I’m gay. I think another thing that influenced my decision to not shave was my desire to be a tomboy.

I got bullied quite a bit in middle school so in high school I didn’t wear shorts or tank tops except for sports. I didn’t get bullied at much to my face but my peers definitely thought I was weird. In college I still don’t wear any clothing where you can see my legs or armpits except for sports. Outside of an educational setting I’m more comfortable showing my legs but it isn’t fun being stared at.

It is being more popular for women to not shave; some even dye their armpit hair to make a statement. Some do it to protest unrealistic standards of beauty, some refuse to shave because they don’t care to, others do it because it saves you time and money. Regardless of the reason, refusing to shave is against the norm for women, and now men, in the United States.