Ah, a woman's pubes: the endless debate. I was wondering when this question would come up. I considered blogging about it, but it seemed kinda pervy to bring up, so thanks for saving me the trouble.
Do guys prefer it clean shaven? Yes. Do they prefer it hairy? Yes. Somewhere in between? Yes. There's no real concensus. Just look at this recent poll at The Frisky. Of five style choices, all but one got a considerable amount of votes, with bare and lightly trimmed running neck and neck for the top position. (The big loser? Goofy shapes.)
Every dude is different. Just like some guys like big boobs and others prefer smaller perkies, some guys want bush and some don't. And who knows what determines it?
I once had a theory that men prefer the kind of pubes they saw in skin mags during their sexual awakening years, roughly 12-15. Most centerfolds in the 70s and 80s looked like they were riding a hedgehog, so guys of that generation tend to prefer hair, my theory went. Younger guys who grew up seeing landing strips or clean shaven vaginas in their porn likewise developed that preference.
But the theory doesn't hold. I know too many guys in their 30s and 40s who like it bald, and some younger guys who like it more natural. While some men think bald looks too pre-pubescent, others say hairy looks neglected. It really just depends on the guy.
I will say this: I don't know any guy who likes it completely au naturel, or what my friend Tom calls "the thicket." I'm sure monster bush lovers exist, but I think most guys prefer that you groom at least a little bit down there.
But it's your body. Do what makes you happy. It shouldn't be a deal-breaker, and if it is, he's the wrong guy anyway.
Do guys prefer it clean shaven? Yes. Do they prefer it hairy? Yes. Somewhere in between? Yes. There's no real concensus. Just look at this recent poll at The Frisky. Of five style choices, all but one got a considerable amount of votes, with bare and lightly trimmed running neck and neck for the top position. (The big loser? Goofy shapes.)
Every dude is different. Just like some guys like big boobs and others prefer smaller perkies, some guys want bush and some don't. And who knows what determines it?
I once had a theory that men prefer the kind of pubes they saw in skin mags during their sexual awakening years, roughly 12-15. Most centerfolds in the 70s and 80s looked like they were riding a hedgehog, so guys of that generation tend to prefer hair, my theory went. Younger guys who grew up seeing landing strips or clean shaven vaginas in their porn likewise developed that preference.
But the theory doesn't hold. I know too many guys in their 30s and 40s who like it bald, and some younger guys who like it more natural. While some men think bald looks too pre-pubescent, others say hairy looks neglected. It really just depends on the guy.
I will say this: I don't know any guy who likes it completely au naturel, or what my friend Tom calls "the thicket." I'm sure monster bush lovers exist, but I think most guys prefer that you groom at least a little bit down there.
But it's your body. Do what makes you happy. It shouldn't be a deal-breaker, and if it is, he's the wrong guy anyway.
Excellent info! I'm still trying to figure out when the clean-shaven thing happened. I missed the memo.
Thanks, BG. I just read something that said, "Shaving is so 90s," so perhaps hair is making a comeback.
Bahaha! Nicely put. :D
I have been known to proudly state that I rock mine 70's porn chic.
More importantly I think it's great if a guy "manscapes" neat and tidy - not baldy
Shaving is so 90's because it sucks! There is a better way: waxing is where it's at.
I agree that even if your man likes a little bush, ya gotta at least keep it trimmed and hedged. Modern girls don't ride hedehogs. ;)
Srsly, this debate always cracks me up! Not that they would ever admit it, but I think men really don't care how the pubes are trimmed. Has any woman EVER had a man turn down sex just because she hadn't trimmed or waxed or trimmed and waxed too much? LOL
Actually, there is a famous case from the Victorian Age (when people knew little about sex before being married). A nobelman saw his wife naked for the first time and was disgusted by her pubic hair. He thought all naked women looked like the Greek statues, so he refused to have sex with her. She suffered through years of neglect, and the marriage was eventually annulled. She was only able to leave him because, funny enough, the marriage was never consummated. She ended up becoming a huge advocate for women's rights!
I'm just sitting here trying to imagine a group of men standing around and talking about this subject. I can't quite picture it, but I suppose it must happen. Must be one of those conversations they have when they go off by themselves to go golfing or fishing or camping or something and aren't around any women. The topic I hear men talk about with each other the most is sports. It always amazes me how much they can find to say to each other about sports.
Thanks for the comments.
Daisy, I wouldn't say that we have long conversations about it, but the subject does come up, especially at strip clubs or when discussing sex. Every guy definitely has his own preference, but Rkintn is right, few guys will turn down sex because the grooming doesn't match what they like. They might forego oral, however. I think that's silly, but to each his own.
ElisaFeeFo, yes, more women are asking for pubic quid pro quo these days. That's an entirely different debate, and a good subject for a question.
Sarah, right on. Ride that hedgehog with pride.
I don't think a guy should ask a girl to alter her body in any way he isn't willing to do himself.
So if Sir wishes Madam to trim/mow, he should be up for doing the same. Women have been letting men tell them what's in and what's not for centuries. I think the line should be drawn at the pubic bone!
I once saw a comedian who spoke on this subject. He objected to the "mostly-gone" look. He argued that leaving that little bit there just made him feel like he was french-kissing Hitler...
I change my arrangement with my mood so it's always a surprise for my boyfriend. He never complains.
When we first met though... you know that scene from Scary Movie where he takes her pants down and her bush expands and bats fly out..... yeaaaahh..... fixed that situation. But I still don't find that either he or I prefer one set-up over another.
It is a bit confusing knowing which route to go with the nether-hair. There's waxing, shaving (a.k.a. deforestation), trimming, and of course, bush-hogging. Within the trimming category, you've got your landing strip, Dorito, and martini glass. There's got to be a happy middle somewhere along the way.
Nowadays it seems to take more time to tend the carpet than the drapes.
You forgot the hitler configuration.
PS I rock the Dorito!!
This was definately a question I wondered about a lot before having sex. Over the years I have learned that oral sex is a big factor! Shaving sucks down there because of how it feels growing back at the top and bc of razor burn (personal experience- tried with and without shaving cream) so I personally use a trimmer and shave the inside lips.. Besides, a bush is just as uncomfortable as shaving.. it rubs against ur panties when u walk and a woman grabbing her crotch is def not hot!
This is something I've definitely wondered about, because I will groom a lot more during 'swim season' than not, and I've had boyfriends ask me about the change in practice... And I was never sure if there was one specific way that was generally preferred.
I say keep the forest trimmed. I hate having it shaved because it hurts growing back, gets all red and bumpy and full of zits from the hairs growing in from all directions. So I just keep it trimmed.
I'm one of those guys who love it completely au naturel and I'm 21. the reason is because its sooo rare to see it and when i do find one its like i found a unicorn so i treat it with respect and wonder
lolololololol unicorn.
i don't know wether to be flattered, impressed or a little disturbed. not flattered because of my own practices, but it's flattering to hear that a woman just as she is is wonderful. that said, unicorn?
I usually rock the Hitler stash because I think it's more comfortable that way. Shaving sucks if you only do it every so often. And, you have to do it right, otherwise you just end up with razor burn. Now THAT is unattractive. I've had a couple of my boyfriends ask me to grow my pubes out, but I'm a redhead, so they were fascinated with the fact that I have orange pubes!
I *love* the feeling of bare. But the husband couldn't care less! So I just do what I want.
I shaved it once and completely panicked halfway through because it started to look like a little kid's, so I ended up with this weird patchiness. It looked like it had mange. Every time I went pee I cried a little inside.
Wow thanks. I've always done a landing strip and this was the first time ever going completely and neatly shaved.
A good friend of mine once referred to "monster bush lovers" as men who enjoy a good ol' spear hunt in the forest.