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cover of episode History of Pubic Hair
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J
Jill Burke
K
Kate Lister
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Kate Lister: 本集探讨了阴毛的历史，从古代到现代，不同文化对阴毛的处理方式以及背后的社会和文化因素。我们采访了Jill Burke教授，她是一位文艺复兴时期美容史专家，对阴毛的历史有深入的研究。节目中，我们讨论了古希腊、罗马、伊斯兰文化中对阴毛的处理方式，以及这些习俗如何影响欧洲，特别是意大利和英国的美容习惯。我们还探讨了阴毛与性工作、疾病以及巫术审判之间的关联，以及现代社会中对阴毛的看法。 Jill Burke: 我的研究主要集中在欧洲文化。阴毛的处理方式并非一条直线，而是随着不同文化和历史时期而变化的时尚。古代埃及和希腊就有脱毛的证据，伊斯兰沐浴习俗对欧洲的脱毛习惯影响很大。在文艺复兴时期的意大利，脱毛是一种时尚，而英国则对浓密的阴毛更为接受。在巫术审判中，女性会被剃光体毛，这是一种羞辱性的仪式。现代社会中，互联网色情内容的普及也影响了人们对阴毛的看法，Z世代对体毛的态度更为宽容。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why did people in ancient Greece and the Middle Ages remove pubic hair?

People in ancient Greece and the Middle Ages removed pubic hair for various reasons, including hygiene, to prevent lice and other parasites, and as a cultural or aesthetic preference. In Islamic cultures, hair removal was also associated with cleanliness and ritual practices.

Why were pubic wigs (merkins) used in England?

Pubic wigs, or merkins, were used in England to cover up patchy pubic hair, often due to diseases like syphilis or lice, which could cause hair loss. They were also used to create the appearance of a full, luscious pubic area, which was culturally desirable in England.

Why was pubic hair removal practiced in Renaissance Italy?

In Renaissance Italy, pubic hair removal was practiced to conform to cultural and aesthetic standards. Italian texts and visual culture often depicted women without pubic hair, and men expected their wives to maintain this smooth appearance. Hair removal was also associated with cleanliness and hygiene.

Why did inquisitors shave the pubic hair of suspected witches during the witch trials?

During the witch trials, inquisitors shaved the pubic hair of suspected witches to search for hidden signs, amulets, or marks of the devil. This practice was both a shaming ritual and a means of degrading the accused, exposing their most intimate parts in front of men.

Why did pubic hair removal become a feminist issue in the 1970s?

In the 1970s, pubic hair removal became a feminist issue because it was seen as a form of conforming to male expectations and ideals of female beauty. Feminists argued that removing body hair was a form of body work that reinforced patriarchal norms and oppressed women.

Why is pubic hair removal more common now compared to the past?

Pubic hair removal is more common now due to the influence of internet pornography, which often depicts hairless bodies as the norm. This has created a cultural expectation for women to remove their pubic hair, especially among younger generations.

Why are younger generations bringing back body hair?

Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are bringing back body hair as a form of personal expression and resistance against societal pressures. They are less concerned with conforming to traditional beauty standards and are more likely to embrace natural body hair.

Shownotes Transcript

We often think of the way we treat pubic hair as a relatively modern thing.

But how did they manage pubic hair in Ancient Greece, or the Middle Ages? Why would someone wear a pubic wig (also known as a merkin)? And why was the pubic hair of suspected witches shaven off?

Joining Kate today is Professor Jill Burke, author of How to be a Renaissance Woman: The Untold History of Beauty and Female Creativity), to help us uncover this history.

This episode was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.

All music from Epidemic Sounds/All3 Media.

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Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.