Insight: Emma Corrin's armpit hair sparks conversation among the public.
People are always changing their hair styles - cutting and styling it in various ways. Many even modify their eyebrows so they seem fuller, only to pluck them out eventually. Changing body hair is an integral part of how we present ourselves and show our individuality. However, despite this, the idea that having hair under our armpits is ugly and primal still remains.
The issue of armpit hair is often talked about in relation to women. In a world where men can do whatever they want with their body hair, women who let their armpit hair grow are often met with criticism.
In the US, judging others by their body hair is a way to control gender roles and Express judgement on those who oppose traditional societal norms or appear 'disruptive'. The same can be said for nonbinary individuals, who are more and more visible in the media. They may also be criticised for their body hair - if they have it, if they don't have it or where it is located.
An example of this happened when the nonbinary and queer actor, Emma Corrin, was featured on the June/July cover of Harper's Bazaar 2021. Known for playing Princess Diana in 'The Crown', Corrin was featured wearing a beige tank top and briefs, with her arm raised, showing her armpit hair. Despite the minor occurrence, this led to a flurry of negative comments on Harper's Instagram account. These included homophobic, body-shaming comments that didn't seem to understand the fact that having hair is a natural and beneficial thing.
Emma Corrin has faced strong opposition before. They came out as nonbinary in 2021, initially using she/they pronouns, but later switching to they/them pronouns in 2022. However, the reactions to their identity in the media have been unkind and often cruel. This has extended to their appearance, including their decision to show off their armpit hair.
Not only has Corrin faced criticism, but so have other celebrities who have chosen to show their armpit hair. Rachel McAdams was photographed for Bustle in 2023 with her armpit hair visible and faced similar insults. Similarly, Emily Ratajkowski showed her armpit hair on the cover of Harper's Bazaar 2019 and explained that it was a choice based on her comfort and feelings towards body hair.
The negative responses to Corrin were interesting because they often referred to Corrin as 'female'. In their pursuit to criticise Corrin's body hair, the gender identity of the person was largely disregarded. This reveals underlying societal prejudices about how nonbinary folks and those who express different gender norms should look.
This goes beyond simply armpit hair. When looking at my son and daughter, both with shoulder length hair, my mother wants an haircut for my son because 'it doesn't get in his eyes'. This shows a fear when the reality of hair doesn't align with what she expected in terms of gender.
Visible armpit hair sparks reactions that reveal manufactured expectations of gender roles. The decision to have armpit hair, or not, takes on a deeper meaning - one symbolic of defying expectations and causing unexpected shock. This challenged many people, making them want to remove the hair to maintain order in our society.
This doesn't just relate to armpit hair - it's representative of the societal norms that try to control how we look and behave. From a mother's comments about her children's hair, to the many insulting responses to Corrin, it's clear that we have a long way to go in order to accept and respect individuals who choose to express themselves differently.
Everyone should feel confident to showcase themselves through their clothing and hairstyle. Allow your armpits to grow wild, get your legs waxed, let your pubic hair be, shave your big toe, or sport a menacing curled mustache. If Corrin or anyone else wants to exhibit their identity through hair choices, we should be embracing the variety of human expression instead of making fun of it and definitely not suppressing any part of it.
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People often have strong opinions about body hair, particularly when it comes to armpit hair. Despite natural hair growth being beneficial, societal norms still view armpit hair as ugly and primal.
The backlash Emma Corrin faced for showing her armpit hair on the cover of Harper's Bazaar was a clear example of this, as many comments were homophobic and body-shaming.
Source: edition.cnn.com
