As well as looking at the answers here you might want to check out other questions like: What is puberty? What are my private parts? What are hormones? You can also look at the Talking About section for more on how to talk and learn together about puberty. With regard to the question, we offer some short answers to support your initial response – and in terms of older young people our answer considers the removal of body hair.
3, 4 and 5-year-olds
A young child can observe that you have hair on your body and so might ask this question: Will I get hair on my body?
When you are older you will have hair on your body just like (me/mum/dad/big brother/big sister). Teenagers and grown-ups have hair on their body.
6, 7 and 8-year-olds
As well as observing hair on other people’s body, at this age there can be an interest in the changes that will come with puberty.
When you are older you will have hair on your body just like (me/mum/dad/big brother/big sister). Teenagers and grown-ups have hair on their body. You might start to get some hair on your body when you go through puberty. Puberty is when your body is changing, and you get ready to be an adult. You might notice little hairs on your legs. Or under your arms. We can talk more about puberty when you are a bit older.
9 and 10-year-olds
11 and 12 year-olds
One of the changes that comes with puberty is that you will get hair on your body. This is one of the changes that happens because of the chemicals in your body called hormones. Everybody has hormones. Hormones are like tiny messengers in your body that tell different parts what to do, helping you to grow and feel emotions.
You will get hair on your arms and legs, under your arms, and around your private parts. The hair around your penis and testicles/your vulva is called pubic hair.
You may want to explain to your child why we have pubic hair – or they may ask. Your child may be around adults who have shaved or waxed parts of their body, removing hair. If they ask about this, or comment on it, these words might help explain.
We have pubic hair for a few reasons. It protects our genitals from friction as we walk or move about. It also traps sweat and bacteria, or some STIs, preventing them from entering the genital area. So, it does actually do something for us. Sometimes adults shave or wax parts of their body to take away their body hair. They do this because they prefer not having this hair. It’s their choice.
13, 14 and 15 year-olds
16, 17 and 18 year-olds
By this age young people will have developed hair on their body as part of their growth and development. This answer gives the basic information they may be interested in but also addresses the removal of body hair which is common among young people (and they may know about from social media influencers or pornography).
One of the changes that comes with puberty is that you will get hair on your body. This is one of the changes that happens because of the chemicals in your body called hormones. Everybody has hormones. Hormones are like tiny messengers in your body that tell different parts what to do, helping you to grow and feel emotions.
You will get hair on your arms and legs and under your arms. Boys start growing facial hair. Sometimes, girls may also develop fine hair above the upper lip and on other parts of the face. You will grow hair around your penis and testicles/your vulva. The hair around your penis and testicles/your vulva is called pubic hair.
You might see on social media or in pornography that some people remove their body hair. This is a personal choice. If you do decide to remove/shave any body hair, please take care – it’s a good idea to chat to me (or suggest another trusted adult) to get some advice on what to buy and how to do it safely.
We have pubic hair for a few reasons. It protects our genitals from friction as we walk or move about. It also traps sweat and bacteria, or some STIs, preventing them from entering the genital area. So, it does actually do something for us.
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