Topic: tweens

My colleagues are pretty horrified that tween girls are getting primped – bikini wax and all – before heading off to summer camp. But I’m not. In fact, I’d argue just the opposite: It’s more detrimental for a swimsuit-clad 12-year-old to sport a hairy bikini line than it is for her to get waxed, plain and simple.

I know, I know, my words are going to outrage many readers who will call me anti-feminist. They’ll accuse me of sexualizing young girls, or of placing too much focus on their appearance. But that couldn’t be further from the truth: I think that choice is what empowers people, including the choice to get waxed. We’re not talking about Brazilians here, by the way. We’re talking about a regular ol’ bikini wax that entails not having long, dark strands of pubic hair on display during free swim. More »