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Do you believe modesty is a form of oppression?

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Sometimes

Original post by BrokenLife

Haha yeah agreed. That's because we live in a Western society where we have more help given if someone is to oppress us. However, many Muslim countries don't have that, especially Saudi Arabia who have ridiculously sexist and oppressive laws against women!

Yes I'm a Muslim. :smile:

Oh okay, then is it okay if I ask how you feel personally about modesty in your religion? Like wearing the hijab, or going all the way with modesty? :h:

Reply 42

username1738583

Original post by TheonlyMrsHolmes

I agree, it's about choices.

But how do you feel about the whole idea of "modesty". Do you see it as liberating (which is how many people see it), or not?

If a woman wears a hijab and is proud to wear it then that's the best. I like it when people love expressing their culture and heritage (as long as they want to) Take Iran for example, it is a law for all women to wear hijab, yet women are trying to get around the laws....

Spoiler

You see, some women being forced are hardly abiding by the laws. They try to express themselves and then get penalised for this.

I want women to dress how they like, modesty is beautiful, but at the same time the body is beautiful as well...

Reply 43

TheonlyMrsHolmes

Original post by Serine Soul

It is definitely used for oppressive motives. Modesty itself, as in the idea of covering up simply for the sake of it (no influence of culture or religion etc) does make it sound like there's something shameful about a body if ygm?

I'd say modesty is also pretty subjective. What I see as modest might be seen as provocative to others :dontknow:

Yeah, especially if it's only applicable to women so it doesn't turn the other gender on or whatever, it makes it sound shameful. It also makes men sound like animals...

Yes modesty is subjective, definitely! Skinny jeans could be seen as provocative to some, but modest to others.

Reply 44

BrokenLife

Of course, you can ask me! :smile:

Okay, so here's how I see it. I'm personally not very religious myself. I believe that although, there are certain passages of Quran where modesty is implied to men as well but many Asian Muslims use modesty as described in the Quran for women in a very sexist say to oppress women.

Many Muslims force or expect their daughters to wear hijab or abaya when actually if there is no compulsion in religion, then they shouldn't expect or force them.

As far as Islam and modesty is concerned, many religions like to give commandments and many are sexist too. This is what religious ideas are based on imo.

The kind of Muslim I am, I believe in God and that you are accountable to him for your actions and not others. I believe in freedom and live and let others live.

Do whatever you want to basically.

Original post by TheonlyMrsHolmes

Oh okay, then is it okay if I ask how you feel personally about modesty in your religion? Like wearing the hijab, or going all the way with modesty? :h:

Reply 45

Black Cat

Modesty practiced with moderation nothing too extreme.

Reply 46

Lord Samosa

Original post by TheonlyMrsHolmes

If thats true then people are ridiculous.

I agree, you should respect another country cultures when visiting. I don't directly see it as oppression when you're told to cover up to be respectful, I would never go to the temple unless I was completely covered, so it's the same thing. I don't see modesty as oppression, but if it only enforced on women for certain reasons then I can see how that is seen to be oppressive.

But I completely see how modesty can be liberating, just like women can feel sexually liberated here in the west.

My sister and mum dress the same in terms of modesty and clothing. Except my sister wears a hijab, she tends to get the dirty looks. (But you learn to ignore it :h:

)

Exactly, if I visited a gurdwara, I'd have no problem covering my hair. It's just being respectful to another's customs.
I guess it depend on the reasoning you're given too. "Cover up so you don't look like a whore" wouldn't be acceptable for example.

It really depends on the individual. Maybe a woman wants to cover up and not feel objectified. Another may want to show her skin and feel liberated. Each to their own.

Reply 47

Macy1998

No, not really. I guess it depends on the context. If the girl is raised to believe her value will go down if she dresses modestly, that's oppression (I think). Some girls like not showing skin.

I could be consider a "modest" dresser. I wear skinny jeans or just regular jeans during school and when I'm going out. The last time I wore a skirt, and shorts was in Middle school a couple of times. I enjoy wearing hoods over my short sleeves, and cardigans. I just don't feel comfortable showing skin, and that's a preference. I even used to wear jeans during spring during my middle school years and earlier high school years. Some people just don't liking showing skin.

Reply 48

username2049777

Original post by TheonlyMrsHolmes

I've been doing my English work all day today( :yawn:

), and the idea of modesty being a form of oppression has come up in my work quite a lot.

Spoiler

So I just want to hear peoples perspective on this :smile:

Not really, i have the choice of their being not modest or modest, and i chose the latter simply because i chose to because of a variety of reasons, not because i was oppressed. but it varies in different cultures and countries as im sure you know

Reply 49

DinduCoffin

Original post by TheonlyMrsHolmes

I've been doing my English work all day today( :yawn:

), and the idea of modesty being a form of oppression has come up in my work quite a lot.

Spoiler

So I just want to hear peoples perspective on this :smile:

Muslims cover their women because of their genetic high libido. Omg how could you be so ignorant!

Reply 50

TheonlyMrsHolmes

Original post by DinduCoffin

Muslims cover their women because of their genetic high libido. Omg how could you be so ignorant!

Reply 51

TheonlyMrsHolmes

Original post by Lord Samosa

My sister and mum dress the same in terms of modesty and clothing. Except my sister wears a hijab, she tends to get the dirty looks. (But you learn to ignore it :h:

)

What, WHY?

Reply 52

Jay to the mill

Original post by TheonlyMrsHolmes

I've been doing my English work all day today( :yawn:

), and the idea of modesty being a form of oppression has come up in my work quite a lot.

Spoiler

So I just want to hear peoples perspective on this :smile:

What's wrong with you?

Reply 53

TheonlyMrsHolmes

Original post by Jay to the mill

What's wrong with you?

Lol what??

Reply 54

Jay to the mill

Original post by TheonlyMrsHolmes

Lol what??

I am a Hijabi and have never felt oppressed wearing the hijab, if anything I feel liberated in a hijab I do it for my rabb. :angry:

What religion are you?

Reply 55

TheonlyMrsHolmes

Original post by Jay to the mill

I am a Hijabi and have never felt oppressed wearing the hijab, if anything I feel liberated in a hijab I do it for my rabb. :angry:

What religion are you?

You haven't read any of my other posts have you? :colonhash:

I said it was liberating! :colonhash:

Reply 56

Jay to the mill

Original post by TheonlyMrsHolmes

You haven't read any of my other posts have you? :colonhash:

I said it was liberating! :colonhash:

Oh right

, yeah I am actually a part time Hijabi part time Hooters waitress, because exposing my two juggernauts pays my bills.

A sisters got to do what a sisters got to do. :dontknow:

Reply 57

Lord Samosa