Manscaping at Midwood HS

2006_03_02_manscaping.jpgThe Post totally has got its panties in a twist today over an article in the latest issue of the Midwood High School Argus (sadly, or luckily, a brief search turned up no web presence for the Argus) by a junior boy and a junior girl there. The article? "Personal Grooming Goes Down Under" a tongue-in-cheek look at "a problem most teenage males struggle with today:" Manscaping.

Specifically, pubic-manscaping.

"One junior boy called shaving his nether region 'fun,' saying he carves out 'hearts, lightning bolts or the Charlie Chaplin.'" (Cue the Post art department running for their stock Chaplin pics). But the column, which has raised few eyebrows but little else, isn't "all racy." It also had a warning from the school nurse on the dangers of putting cutting implements near your privates.

Honestly, though, we were a little let down by the Post on this one. This was a custom made for the tabs story and yet where were the fun pictures (Chaplin don't count), the funny phrases, the new words? Manscaping has been around forever! Jake, because he's Jake, suggested "girlweeding" but we think y'all can do better. Suggestions?

Photograph from Pam's House Blend.

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i couldnt be more proud of my old school

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gotta keep it trim. If you want people to play in the yard, you gotta cut the grass.

That reminds me, I have to return the Grizzly Man dvd to Netflix...

how about "girldening"?

I'm glad that high school boys are getting schooled early on this one. God, with the lengths that some women go thru to maintain themselves, the LEAST that they can do is neaten up their boy bushes.
And don't forget to trim the tea bags, kids.
Gracias!

La Leone, you're absolutely correct! Not that I don't appreciate the look of an old skool boy bush, but if a boy expects the same from a chick AND he wants said chick's head to be in his vicinity for a lengthy duration, it's the nice thing to do. Haven't we all seen that episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm?

Well, this is rather crude, but one of my friends calls it "clearing the cave."

I second the last post - most guys do not shave there and shouldnt feel like they have to. I think NYC takes image way too seriously sometimes, and gets caught up in 'metrosexual' type behavior for guys.

I highly doubt the majority of males in other cities home and abroad would give a damn about shaving there.

I think a womans body is a work of art, but mens bodies are not!

Cycledelic, you are so very wrong on this one. Are you going to support this with the equally incorrect, "men are visual, women aren't" theory?

I think the guys above me are confusing "shaving" and "trimming." I've found that men who are a little younger than I am are big on clipping the length, as opposed to shaving the whole thing outright. I'm not opposed to this, as it makes certain activities a little easier (and if they want to appear more massive by removing hair, who am I to tell them they shouldn't want to look like a pornstar?). I definitely don't mind a full bush, but I do think there's something to this reciprocity (if the guy prefers me groomed, anyway).

You know, there is quite a difference between trimming the hedges and going Kojak on your nutsack.

As a guy, I see no problem with keeping the pubes neat through regular trimming. Women seem to like the kempt look. They (and I) also appreciate the greatly minimized number of gagging, hair-caught-in-teeth interruptions during oral. While I haven't brought out a stopwatch and clipboard (probably a bit of a turn-off), I strongly suspect that the duration and ardor of oral has increased as a result.

But as I still want to look like an adult male, I won't go fully shaved. Quite frankly, the look would probably creep me out, not to mention my partners.

On a purely practical level, trimming the hair reduces the amount of surface area available for bacteria growth, so it allows you smell to fresher for longer. If you a naturalist and into your own funk (and assume your partner should be too) then, by all means, let it grow. There are certainly advocates for an au natural aroma, Napoleon and Tom Robbins (or at least some of the characters in his books) come to mind. Personally, I think trimming makes condom usage much more comfortable, but I'm sure there is room in the world for both kinds and even some room for experimentation, ie. shave in the spring then let it grow all summer, etc.

I agree with you, No, that a guy like that wouldn't be worth keeping around. No one has the right to demand a particular look for their partner. I think we all have looks we find pleasing, and there's no fault in that.

To be fair, other than the fetishists, it's probably a little disarming for the "average" guy to be confronted with a full woodsy lady bush during the first encounter. I'm just being realistic...most men expect us to clean up a bit. This is fine, provided they won't freak out if we ask the same. It's practical for both parties during aforementioned oral activities.

I have to say, some of the responses here admonishing male trimmers are rather amusing in the assumption that trimming is a "feminine" activity. Relax, fellas. It's common courtesy. Besides, the contrast of a badass, masculine exterior with a groomed interior is quite dreamy!

Interesting discussion. Here's my original post:
"I'm glad that high school boys are getting schooled early on this one. God, with the lengths that some women go thru to maintain themselves, the LEAST that they can do is neaten up their boy bushes.
And don't forget to trim the tea bags, kids.
Gracias!"
I never mention SHAVING, I'm for TRIMMING, aka grooming equality for pubic hair! That's why it's called landscaping/manscaping, just TRIMMING. I'm not trying to speak for all women, but I think the majority of us appreciate this!
I also wonder if girls who like, bikini wax themselves (no! ouch!) & shit resent their Uber Dudes sporting caveman crotches because attention to pubic grooming makes you "gay," obviously. Or, oh my god, makes your raging huge giant balls look SMALLER! (ha ha ha ha see 'not a pansy's' post above)
I don't shave my bod, but I trim my shit and if I'm with a boy who needs to do the same, it's not too much to ask! I'm super into the visual realm & simple trimming is part of my look. As is my big ole (neat) bush on my head. Gratefully many boys I know follow this aesthetic!
Grazie,
La Leone
Director of PUBIC Relations

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