I’m the dad of a 14-year-old boy. Growing up, my parents were very closed off and distant, so I never felt comfortable asking them personal questions, which honestly hurt me quite a bit. I promised myself that if I ever became a parent, I’d make sure my kid felt comfortable talking to me about anything. So recently, my son came to me and said he wanted to shave down there but was scared he might cut himself. He asked how to do it. I asked him if he wanted me to show him, and he said yes. So I showed him the process. He said, “Thanks, Dad,” and that was that. On one hand, I’m proud that I created the open environment I always wanted growing up. On the other hand, I can’t help but wonder if people around me would think it crossed a boundary.

  • Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    Contrast this to my mom, who taught me how to shave my legs but who forbid me from “shaving above the knee.”

    That ended when I went to school in shorts and the bullies saw my thigh hair glistening in the sun.

    It ended two years later, when I met a cool girl who didn’t shave if she didn’t feel like it, rocking her hairy legs without a care.

    I’m still not that bold, but I found a balance that works for me. Nobody else’s opinion matters.

    • southsamurai@sh.itjust.works
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      1 day ago

      Preach! We should be way past the silliness of body hair choices being open for other’s opinions. It took my sasquatch looking ass a while to get there for myself, but there’s still social pushback that just pisses me off. I’m glad you found your balance :)