Yesterday I was in a bit of a funk, being completely overwhelmed by my outrage at our political classes, and felt the need to engage in a full-scale rant of the sort I haven't done for a while. But now that I've gotten it out of my system, perhaps we can move on to other, more interesting (if offbeat) things.
You may be familiar with the concept of "point shaving," the system of cheating on sporting events in which, in exchange for a bribe, one or more players agree to ensure that their team will not "cover the point spread" - that is, that the team will run up a score that is outside the margin predicted by the oddsmakers. The gambler then wagers against the bribed team and is guaranteed to win.
Point shaving as such doesn't matter very much to me, as I never bet on sporting events, but I ran across an article the other day that brings a whole new meaning to the term "point shaving" - University Offers Female Students Extra Credit for Not Shaving Their Armpits.
It seems that Arizona State University professor Breanne Fahs, who teaches Women and Gender Studies, challenged her students to explore the differences in gender expectations by having her female students stop shaving their legs and underarms for the ten-week term, and keep a journal which documented the reactions they received. Male students in the class got a somewhat different assignment: they were to shave their entire body from the neck down and keep a similar journal. The point was to allow the
students to reflect on gender inequality as reflected in how society reacts to women with body hair and men without. Both the male and female students received extra credit if they shaved (or didn't) and maintained the journal. This picture accompanied an article on the program from the Arizona State University newspaper.
Bilbo
* The situation is much different now, with most European women - at least in Western Europe - just as likely to shave as American women.
My first visit to your blog, and you have me giggling! Thanks for the entertaining commentary! I'll be following your blog.
ReplyDeleteA very interesting classroom exercise. I get the point: it's to act contrary to alleged gender expectations. On the other hand, maybe shaving or the lack thereof is influenced by a personal esthetic. The professor assumed that women shave their armpits and legs because of pressure from men. Probably the truth is that most don't notice.
ReplyDeleteSome guys might find underarm hair sexy. Just like pubic hair.
ReplyDeleteHello, Linda! Glad to have you along for the ride ... please feel free to comment any time.
ReplyDeleteAngel - I think that a lot of men make a fuss about it because they've been conditioned to expect women to be hairless. I think shaving is a pain, and all I have to shave is my face ... I can't imagine having to worry about everything else. As long as the lady's hygiene is good, why should anyone care?
Grand Crapaud - my observation is that that's very true.
ReplyDeleteIt's rumored that Ronald Reagan said, when he saw Nancy shaving her legs, 'Hair you go again'.
ReplyDeleteMike - you're fired!
ReplyDeleteMen notice your boobs and your bum and your hair color. Hair on legs or in armpits? No so much.
ReplyDeleteIt is an odd assignment; I am amazed!
ReplyDeleteJust no Brazil waxing for guys!
ReplyDelete