Even before Francisco Goya’s “The Nude Maja,” long considered the first painting to show a woman’s pubic hair, many women have wondered at least once what men think about pubic hair. While the issue is seldom talked about early in a relationship, many men remain shy or afraid of offending a woman by expressing a preference.
To get to the bottom of the question, so to speak, I interviewed several men, among a larger group of adults, in Grand Central Station—the world’s largest and busiest transportation building, right in the heart of New York City. My question raised a few eyebrows but here are the men who answered just the same. I have withheld the names.
Mr. Nair says bare is best. “I tend to associate body-hair with masculinity. I was brought up when most women were already shaving their armpits and legs, and I guess it’s just the message I got from the culture. If less hair is good then no hair is even better…except on top of the head, of course.”
Mr. Natural respects Mother Nature. “I do not believe in fooling with nature. Besides, pubic hair serves a useful protective function… and it creates mystery for me. I respect all that women have accomplished in today’s world, and I don’t believe they should tamper with what is naturally beautiful...I don’t need to see it all to know I like it…It’s all in the presentation.”
Mr. Topiary loves a woman who makes the most of what she’s got. “I admire women because they have been able to take the messages they get all around them from the media and our culture, and make themselves into the beautiful creatures that each one is. Women understand illusion and appearance. The artful presentation of a woman’s pubic hair tells me my lady has a sense of style.”
Mr. Mower likes all things in moderation. “All women are beautiful to me, and I think they should be proud of what they have and what they are. I just like it trimmed fairly short, but not shaved. It makes things more user-friendly…so to speak. For me, that’s the best of both worlds.”
In the final analysis, it should be your choice. Your boyfriend may love it when you’re shaved clean, or you may have a husband who can’t get enough of your natural untamed pubic region. But the man who cares about you will respect your preferences. You wouldn’t insist that a man wax his “package,” and he shouldn’t insist that you do anything that makes you feel less than who you are.
Sharon Fenster is a publicist and a writer. Contact her at sharonfenster@gmail.com