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What is the point of pubic hair?
Simon Percival, Fetcham, UK
- Just an opinion, but it seems likely that in the areas where body hair remains it is to retain odour and so to concentrate pheromones.
Gordon, South Shields, Tyne and Wear
- Free dental floss and a subtle reminder of exactly what you did last night
Bill, Northampton, UK
- Pubic hair is to trap the 'scent' of pheromones and thus make us more attractive to the opposite sex (well thats every teenage lad's excuse for not washing down there).
Claire Garner, Liverpool
- Pubic hair serves to trap pheromones; it might also serve as an important visual cue, giving information on the sexual maturity status of a potential partner, as well as focusing attention on erogenous zones - kind of like the baboon's bright red bum. I've also heard that it can be a cushion to protect against all the bumping and grinding that can occur in these regions.
Chris, Montreal, Canada
- So it can be shaved into all manner of amusing shapes
Jared Terry, Winchester
- pubic hair traps air and helps to regulate the temperature. Fundamental in men, not sure why women have it.
Jay Blackburn, Biringham
- So Frenchwomen can appear mysterious
James Flowers, London UK
- The opposite end to the follicle.
M Vernon, Leicester, UK
- It traps sweat as well. I had pubic hair shaved for an operation recently and a minor discomfort since then has been that the sweat trickles straight on down.
George Peters, York
- It serves as a sort of dry lubricant. Hair against hair moves more readily than skin against skin.
SRM, NYC USA
- I think it's to make your genitalia better looking. pour exemple, look at a bald man and he looks older than a man with a full head of hair. Therefore John Thomas always looks better with a bit of pubic.
tony kelly, high wycombe uk
- About an inch below the genitals, if combed correctly.
Phil, Barcelona Spain
- Assuming, as others have stated, that pubic hair does trap pheromones and thus makes us attractive, does that mean when we wash we make ourselves less attractive?
Tony, London, UK
- Most bodily orifices (the nose, the ear) are protected by hair to 'trap' invading pathogens.
Hels, Edinburgh UK
- To make the movement during intercourse more comfortable. Without the pubic hair you might find movement restricted by the friction between two skin surfaces, you may also develop a rash/burn. Why is pubic hair curly? and more importantly why do pubic hairs fall out so easily and end up all over the place?
Dalai, Budapest Hungary
- To provide a more comfortable chin-rest.
Hank Dwyer, Fresno USA
- To indicate whether anyone else has been using your soap. You can play a fun game if you share a house with several people by guessing who has used the soap by the colour of the hair.
Andrea Waldron, Norwich England
- To plait when you are bored.
Lisa Henty, Cardiff UK
- Concerning the question from Dalai in Budapest about why pubic hair is curly, the answer is that it isn't always. It all depends on your genetic make-up. Mexicans (and, I suspect, people from the Far East, who share a great many of their racial characteristics with native Americans) tend to have dead straight hair - on their heads as well as everywhere else.
Alistair McCreadie, Mexico City Mexico
- It adheres to the bathrom soap bar, thus enhancing it's exfoliating properties and thereby reducing minor skin complaints.
Gareth Rees, Bristol England
- Pubic Hair in some countries is like doing a funky dance or buying girl a drink at a club, it i shown to each other and if liked then the couple shall mate. Honest.
Iain Mitchell, Glasgow Scotland
- Surley it's to keep a body lice circus that will travel with you where ever you go, to amuse you on long train journeys? Although I'm not sure others would be amused if I were to a) have a look on a packed train and b) have body lice.
Mhari-Claire, London England UK
- Probably the eriface protector is the best explaination offered, with the dry lubricant coming second by a pubes breadth!Why it falls out? The friction theory, if true, would suggest that falling out is good, if it catches and the hair stays in: MAJOR PAIN!
Tom Carty, Ireland
- If your pubic hair has a point, you're not shaving it properly.
Mike Hobbins, Canberra, Australia
- Could Iain Mitchell please tell us in which country people show their pubic hair to each other as part of a mating ritual? This we gotta know.
C. Alexander Brown, Rockcliffe Park, Canada
- Pubic hair is disgusting. It serves no purpose. I started shaving mine completely off almost as soon as it started growing - I'm 25 now - and I would never ever grow it back! And as for it serving any purpose during sexual intercourse, anyone I've ever been sexually involved with has loved my shaven haven! I've never met anyone who actually wants to go foraging through some overgrown, smelly bush. Oh, and you get a lot more oral when it's shaven...
Ellen S, Halifax, UK
- If you don't know the answer to this then you must be a lousy lover - down with shaving!
Dave, Manchester Liverpool
- To add an air of mystery..
John, Kettering UK
See Also10 Ways to Groom Down Under
- For teenagers it's to show off. No, really!
Jack S, Boston UK
- I agree with Ellen S,from Halifax. A shaven haven is great.
Phil H, Holbeach, South Lincs, UK
- "Humans begin making pheromones at the age of puberty. Most pheromones are produced in the sweat glands (apocrine glands) that are attached to hair follicles. Apocrine glands appear in areas where hair is concentrated on chest and around nipples, the underarms, genital and anal areas and naval. Hairs trap gland secretions next to the skin where bacteria begin to decompose them. During the decomposition process, pheromones are released into the air as our sweat evaporates from our skin. Once airborne, they can be read by other human beings. askannsanders.com
David, co*ckOfRock.com, USA
- Velcro?
Ferd Berful, Ottawa Canada
- Even though there seems to be no point to pubic hair, I like to keep mine neat looking. Mine tends to grow in the shape of a triangle, like many other guys. But there is a little extra hair growing outside of the triangle near my legs. I usually shave that off to keep it looking neat and organized. Also, using hair conditioner on it keeps it feeling soft and luxurious. Try it, you'll be amazed!
Johnny Cardenas, California, USA
- Could answer provider 'Claire Garner, Liverpool ' describe the methodology she used to survey every young boy in Liverpool as to their pubic washing habits ? And why?
Francis Davidson, Greenhithe U.K.
- To keep our willies warm.
Ben Davies, Hockley, England, UK
- Animal magnetism. Sheep have curly hair, don't they?
Abi McBeth, Scarborough, England, UK
- I don't know. I was scared about showing my boyfriend (down there - I shave my legs, armpits and arms, I was just slightly apprehensive about ... you know), so I waxed (that seemed the best option), and now I'm scared that he'll laugh at the red marks. :( Nothing ever works.
Amelia Rocque, Brimingham, England
- Well let's asses.-It helps with pheromones that eventually leads to sex.-shaving it also eventually leads to sex....WIN/WIN!!!!It doesn't really matter!!!!Go team Naruchu!
Fizal, Parika Guyana
- it's multi-purpose. YAY
Jeff, OccupyWallSt usa
- The closest thing to pleasure
Albano Guatti, New York, US
- Pubic hair may be a sculpture. you can see a very interesting project about pubic hair by an american artist www.INSTEADOFDIAMONDS.COM, a very ironic answer to the Damien Hirst diamonds skull.
Frida Luce, Udine Italy
- My wife is Mexican, she shaves and grows very little hair on the parts in question. I on the other hand am a bushy and curly caucasian. We read all of your answers and enjoyed them very much so. I think that the point of having or not pubic hair depends on the individual, like how old you are. And the generation you are from. I know grams is rocking the bush!!!!
Marc Caldwell, Houston United States
- Jemma: I cant stand not having pubic hair, you look like an 8 year old :/ but i like to trim it.Amber: i trim mine.we both agree that pubic hair is there to shave off and stick on peoples faces cause jackass told us to :P
Jemma and Amber, Melbourne Victoria
- Sally O'Brian does not have pubes. She is a relatively spontaneous male dog. Named Marley. She likes to be petted on the head with a shovel. Regards.
Sally O'Brian, Emerdale Farm Niger
As a seasoned expert in human anatomy and physiology, particularly in the realm of evolutionary biology and reproductive sciences, I can confidently dissect the various perspectives presented in the provided article about pubic hair. My extensive knowledge in this field allows me to shed light on the multifaceted nature of this seemingly simple yet enigmatic aspect of human anatomy.
First and foremost, the discussion surrounding the purpose of pubic hair spans a spectrum of theories, each rooted in the biological and evolutionary context of human development. Let's delve into the key concepts:
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Retention of Odor and Pheromones:
- Some contributors posit that pubic hair serves to retain odors and concentrate pheromones. Pheromones are chemical signals that play a role in sexual attraction, and the idea is that pubic hair enhances their impact.
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Visual Cues and Sexual Maturity:
- Another perspective suggests that pubic hair provides visual cues about the sexual maturity of a potential partner. This is likened to the bright red bum of a baboon, which serves a signaling function.
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Temperature Regulation:
- A utilitarian viewpoint is presented, suggesting that pubic hair traps air and helps regulate temperature, especially in men. The necessity for women having pubic hair is questioned.
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Protection and Lubrication:
- The protective function of pubic hair is discussed, both as a cushion during intimate activities and as a barrier against friction. Additionally, pubic hair is suggested to act as a sort of dry lubricant during movement.
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Aesthetic and Social Aspects:
- Some contributors touch upon the aesthetic aspect, proposing that pubic hair contributes to the overall attractiveness of genitalia. The idea of shaving for appearance is discussed, along with the potential cultural variations in pubic hair norms.
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Practical Uses and Humor:
- Humorous suggestions are made, including using pubic hair as dental floss, an indicator of recent activities, or even as a chin-rest.
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Genetic Factors and Hair Characteristics:
- The question of why pubic hair is curly is addressed, with the explanation that it depends on individual genetic makeup, similar to the variation in hair characteristics among different populations.
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Hygiene and Pathogen Protection:
- The discussion expands to hygiene, proposing that pubic hair may play a role in protecting bodily orifices, such as the genital and anal areas, from invading pathogens.
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Cultural Practices and Social Signaling:
- A unique perspective suggests that in some cultures, showing or grooming pubic hair is part of a mating ritual, indicating interest in potential partners.
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Personal Preferences and Shaving Trends:
- The article concludes with individual preferences, including the popularity of shaving for aesthetic reasons and the claim that a shaven haven may receive more attention.
In summary, the discourse on pubic hair in the provided article spans evolutionary, biological, aesthetic, and cultural dimensions. My expertise allows me to analyze these perspectives critically and provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex role pubic hair plays in the human experience.
