The “Ideal Body” Has Antagonized Body Hair, And Women Are Tired Of It
Woman, you do you.
Living in the 21st century, you would think that we have progressed past the need to comment on another person’s appearance; that body shaming would be a thing of the past. Unfortunately, we still have a lot of people to educate and even more conversations to endure.
For instance, Belo Beauty has been under fire since it released yesterday a new ad called “Pandemic Effect” that depicts a woman transforming physically—gaining weight, developing wrinkles, growing body hair—as she listened to depressing news on TV. Alluding to the pandemic, it ends with the slogan, “Tough times call for beautiful measures.” The message, however, did not sit well with netizens.
Some said it was contrary to Dr. Vicki Belo’s advocacy on women empowerment, while others called it an outright act of body shaming.
1/2 “Empowered women, empower women.” We have always believed in the voice of Women and standing up for each other.
— Victoria G. Belo, MD (@VickiBelo) October 24, 2020
May Liza and Catriona inspire women of all generations to be courageous and steadfast in pursuing your passions and beliefs. pic.twitter.com/XO27r6WISb
Following the negative feedback, the Belo Group was quick to issue an apology through its social media accounts, and took down the ad immediately.
In February 23 this year, It’s Showtime host Jugs Jugueta was also called out on social media after he jokingly mentioned ABS-CBN actress and former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Vivoree Esclito in one of the noontime show’s segments. When a contestant’s balbon arm was shown, he shouted, “Si Vivoree ‘yan!” with the intent to sound funny.
While the other hosts laughed, Karylle defended Vivoree by saying, “Grabe kayo! Jugs, ako I’m a very balbon girl also. Ganu’n lang talaga.” This prompted Jugueta to apologize for what he said, saying that “it was just a joke.”
This is not funny, this is the last time you’re gonna make fun of her. pic.twitter.com/CDzJ1bZcX5
— Mhegzy (@mhegzy19) February 23, 2021
The clip went viral on Twitter and the phrase “NO TO BODY SHAMING” trended in the Philippines. Vivoree reshared her old post from 2019 that says “I’ve seen some comments about some people body-shaming me. It’s fine with me po, none taken, but PLEASE do not do it to others.” The 20-year-old mentions that some people might not take it the way she does, and reiterated that other’s bodies are “totally none of your business.”
ok so i’ve seen some comments about some people body-shaming me. it’s fine with me po, none taken, but PLEASE do not do it to others. some people don’t take it the same way I do. other’s bodies are totally NONE of your business 😩 be sensitive enough to know that
— V (@vivoree) October 21, 2019
The actress also tweeted, “When someone makes fun of your looks, let our response be: ‘gwapa/gwapo gihapon.’” And she’s totally right, we are “still beautiful.”
when someone makes fun of your looks,
— V (@vivoree) February 23, 2021
let our response be:
“gwapa/gwapo gihapon” 😎
In 2019, American model Emily Ratajkowski posed for a Harper’s Bazaar cover displaying her armpit hair. She says, "If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that's up to me. For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose—a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair." Because the truth is, our grooming preferences is a personal choice, something that should not base on other people’s comments.
Vivoree and Emily handled these situations graciously, even though it can be tiring to be at the receiving end of these hurtful comments just because people can’t mind their own business. Celebrities are eternally under scrutiny from the public and the media, which makes them some of the easiest targets of body shaming. Still, this does not make it okay. Nonetheless, regular people like you and I can be subject to this form of bullying, too.
For years since she became a teenager, 29-year-old Yuri shaved almost every part of her body. “Kulang na lang pati kilay ko i-shave ko, promise. I was so insecure about my body hair when I was younger, because I was naturally balbon and people don’t like that.” In high school, she would be called “unggoy” because of her hairy legs, and when hair started growing in her armpits, people would regularly comment on that as well.
“It was exhausting having to cater to their needs. Honestly, ako, wala akong problema with body hair. But my parents, my titas and titos, they always have something to say.”
When she turned 18, Yuri hated having to wax her legs, arms, underarms, and intimate part every month. Aside from the extra expense on monthly appointments, they can also be uncomfortable and painful.
“I have no issue about waxing or shaving for hygienic purposes, but to force other people and make decisions for their bodies just because you’re uncomfortable seeing hair? That’s something I can never accept,” she says.
Today, Yuri embraces her body hair and lets them grow freely. “Sa totoo lang, it was my Gen Z friend who made me realize that I was making other people make choices for me, and that shouldn’t be the case.” Yuri says that younger generations are being more progressive about inclusivity, body positivity, and self-confidence.
“I hope that in the future, no teenager will be insecure about something as normal as hair, just because society forced them into thinking that it should be changed.”
For this to become a reality, we have to start with ourselves. We need to understand that how other people look is none of our business. What makes them feel confident might not be the same with what works for you, but it should not matter, because at the end of the day we should be lifting each other up. Instead of pointing out other people’s insecurities, know that what society calls “imperfections” or “flaws” are normal. Having skin texture, body hair, stretch marks, and a belly are all normal.
The world can be a place full of love and acceptance if we just stopped dragging each other down.
