“Well nobody wants to see a hairy fanny do they?”: exploring the everyday narratives of young women’s perceptions and practices around genital appearance and sexual identities

Smith, L.-A., Reed, L., Hickinbotham, L., Cooper, C. E. and Evenden, R. (2015) “Well nobody wants to see a hairy fanny do they?”: exploring the everyday narratives of young women’s perceptions and practices around genital appearance and sexual identities. Paper presented to: Roles: A Gender and Sexuality Forum 5th Annual Conference, University of Birmingham, 21 May 2015. [Also presented at: 21st International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, 15-17 July 2015] (Unpublished)

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Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Abstract:	With the rising use of social media and in particular the visual elements of ‘selfies’ by young adults, recent research has explored the ways in which the images of the female body are scrutinised and stigmatised if non-conformity towards an idealised body image is apparent (Chrisler, 2011). This current trend of social media surveillance and self-regulation has led to recent moves towards young females removing their pubic hair with clinicians claiming that it is now unusual to examine a female under the age of 30 years who still has pubic hair (Braun, Tricklebank & Clarke, 2013; Riddell, Varto & Hodgson, 2010). These are ways in which the intimate appearances of genitalia become enveloped within everyday life. This qualitative research uses one-to-one, semi-structured interviews analysed using a discursive analysis with females aged 18 to 30 years old, with differing sexual orientations to explore their own perceptions and practices of this particular grooming regime. This research is still in progress at this time but initial findings suggest that participants predominantly cite the removal of pubic hair as a hygienic issue together with narratives of non-shaving resulting in a lessening of sexual activity (this can take the form of self-monitoring whereby not having shaved before a night out will stem sexual activity together with partners’ (either male or female) influencing shaving behaviours by refusing to have oral sex if the vaginal area is not fully shaved. All participants cite pornography and the media (television programmes such as Geordie Shore) as being instrumental in this trend.
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF692 Psychology of sex. Sexual behaviour H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Women > HQ1101 Women. Feminism > HQ1206 Psychology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Women > HQ19 Sexual behavior and attitudes. Sexuality G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GT Manners and customs > GT495 Human body and its parts. Personal beauty
Creators:	Smith, Lesley-Ann, Reed, L, Hickinbotham, L, Cooper, Callum E and Evenden, Rachel
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:	University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Social Sciences (to 2016) University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Date:	21 May 2015
Date Type:	Presentation
Event Title:	Roles: A Gender and Sexuality Forum 5th Annual Conference
Event Dates:	21 May 2015
Event Location:	University of Birmingham
Event Type:	Conference
Language:	English
Status:	Unpublished
Related URLs:	Conference
URI:	http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/7669

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