Modesty.
That's right, odd that modesty is so trendy and controversial, don't you think? There seems to be two schools of thought on the subject. And they both have valid points.
First is that modesty is a self-sacrifice that women make to help the men around them control their thoughts and physical reactions. We, as women, want men to focus on who we are as a person, and so we dress in a way that helps them see more than just our bodies. This is exemplified by the "Evolution of the Swim Suit" video, (P.S. have you seen the cute swim suits she designed?) as well as several blog posts of late. These ideas are usually pushed by educated, religious young women who want to be seen as fashionable, sophisticated and fun. They cite studies and evidence that the less clothing we wear, the more difficult we make it for men to think of us beyond our physicality. This group says that revealing clothing is designed to attract the wrong kind of attention and power; modesty allows women to be valued for their intellect, personality and inherent self-worth.
In many respects, this is all true.
However there is another school of thought, and it comes with a catchy slogan. "Modesty - because it's easier to tell women to cover up than to tell men to control themselves." This argument says that our bodies are an important and beautiful part of who we are, and that we are excusing men who objectify (and sometimes worse) women based on the woman's clothing choices. We too often teach men that immodestly dressed women are enemies who are just trying to tempt them sexually and that they're just asking to be objectified. This group rejects the idea that says scantily clad women are 'just asking to get raped'. Instead they say it's time to hold men accountable for their own thoughts and behaviors, regardless of how the women around them choose to dress.
And in many respects, this is all true.
So where is the middle ground? Here are a couple of bottom lines as I see things.
Wearing revealing clothing creates a very real reaction, particularly in men. Duh, right? Most humans have sexual attractions and feelings, and it's a real, beautiful and challenging part of being a human.
That said, telling men that it's normal to objectify or violate women because of these normal feelings is not OK. Saying that it's up to women to ensure men value them as human beings and not objects is not OK.
Here's where I suggest a compromise. Why don't we change the way that we talk about modesty? Let's view the human body (both male and female) as beautiful, strong and really incredible. Let's accept sexuality as a natural and wonderful part of those bodies. Then let's decide that respect for all human beings and their sexuality is the responsibility of both men and women. Modesty is really just that - only a part of the 'respect' equation. Chastity, fidelity and modesty are all tied together, and responsibility for those virtues does not lie with one gender or the other.
Maybe it's just time for a more open dialogue from both genders about how to help the individuals around us live those virtues. If that means that as women we wear a little more, great! If that means that as men we think a little longer about what we say and do, great! If it means that we're more careful in our working relationships or friendships with members of the opposite sex (particularly when they're in a relationship), great!
Men, it's time to step up. Time to control your own sexuality, your own thoughts and feelings. It really is your responsibility to see the women around you as wonderful people with infinite capabilities. You can do that no matter what those women are wearing.
Women, it's time to step up. Time to stop using the cop-out that you're only dressing for the men around you. It's important and valuable to love your own body and to dress in a way that expresses something about who you are. Just remember that you are more than just your body. Exposing more of your body reflects the way that you value yourself - is your body really the only thing you want others (not just men) to pay attention to?
As Rey puts it, "Modesty isn't about covering up our bodies because they're bad, it's not about hiding, it's about revealing our dignity."
Modesty is important, because it's part of respect. Respect for ourselves. Respect for the people around us. Even more important is the way that we think about and treat ourselves and those around us. And both men and women are responsible for those thoughts and behaviors.
