Do you think all women should cover up?

Question

Im from a country where the women cover themselves because its seen as modest and if you have a husband then only your husband should be allowed to see your flesh not any other man
I now live in a western country and obviously its very different, the women are allowed to wear what they want and its not really looked at because its normal in these countries but if a women was to go over to Pakistan lets say wearing jeans and a sleeveless T-Shirt you would get a lot of weird looks and possibly imprisonment depending on the area.
I think when a women covers themselves it shows they respect themselves, they dont need to wear short skirts and low cut tops to feel good about themselves, do you think all women should cover themselves in either a Hijab or Niqab if not explain why..

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I'm an American feminist. You may be able to predict my answer.

...

Fuck no. I think those standards are quite sexist and oppressive, but everyone has the right to dress and practice as they would like to. I know an American girl from a Bengali family who feels like her Hijab gives her freedom because men aren't looking at her body and trying to hit on her the way they did before. She wasn't raised to wear it, because she is American, and I guess her parents didn't want to force her to stand out that much, but she chose to as an adult. I have my views on those things, but obviously it's her choice to live as she wants to. But that definitely should not be a legal requirement. I'm not against your choice to do what you want, but I may not agree with it, and this kind of thing shouldn't be required by law, in my opinion.

I love the freedom to show off my body when I want to for my own comfort or to be seen. I can choose what I want to do with my body and how much I want to expose, with respect to certain situations. (The work place, for example.) There's also a comfort level. It just feels good to wear less clothing when it's hot outside. And what about swimming? Do these women swim in places where men are around or do they not swim? Or wear lots of clothes? (serious question - what are the rules on swimwear and being around men?)

I would not ever want to live in a culture or country where the law dictated to me what I should wear, specifically because I'm a woman and according to sexist interpretations of "respecting yourself as a woman."

been_waiting · Accepted Answer

I find it ridiculous how people like you want to say WOMEN are immoral and wrong for not covering from head to toe because MEN will ogle them and think dirty thoughts but absolutely no blame is placed on men?

The whole concept is based on the idea that a) women are the property of their husbands and b) men can't control themselves. In countries that have hijab rape is actually not considered a crime and some women are actually imprisoned for being raped... a TAD backwards don't you think?

I don't agree with wearing basically nothing in public- by that I mean, shorts your ass literally hangs out of and shirts that expose all but your breasts- but that's a woman's choice if she wants to wear that. Yes men will notice and I can't blame them for that but they CAN resist raping and harassing women.

I don't want to cover myself from head to toe. I have no desire. Its impractical, pointless and far MORE DEGRADING than wearing some shorts and a tank top because again hijab is based on sexist and oppressive beliefs.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

no it just perpetuates the idea that her body is the property of someone else when its not, a woman is no ones property and should be able to do whatever she wants with her own body just like the men in your country can. if a woman isn't showing herself respect by hiding her body then neither are your men which i find to be very hypocritical. why should other women see your skin? it should be just for your wife. see how controlling that is?

the difference between your country and the west is that the west accept women who dress in t shirts and jeans and also accepts women who want to wear religious and cultural clothing like the hijab without imprisoning them or dictating what they can and cannot wear.

CHARismatic110 · Accepted Answer

I think it should be up to the female to decide if she wants to cover up or not. Wearing jeans and a tank top is still very much covered up. A lot of women in the western culture look at clothing and fashion as a form of art and a way of expressing themselves. I don't feel like that should be taken away.

OpenClose · Accepted Answer

I can understand your struggle, but it's something you'll have to numb yourself to fairly quickly. We are a very sexually-liberated nation compared to the middle-east, though supposedly northern Europe makes us look modest by comparison. This is a problem many immigrants deal with when moving from more conservative to more liberal nations.

It's interesting, because feminists here would say that covering up is oppressive and male-dominated, while in the middle-east, they would say the same thing about showing too much skin. https://goo.gl/ucG6oH

To me, there should be no rule that covers one gender that doesn't cover the other gender. If we are expected to cover up, we should all be expected to cover up. If we should show more skin, we should all be allowed to show more skin.

What bothers me is how in school, girls would complain when a low-cut top, spaghetti straps, and 4" long shorts "goes against the dress code". "It's a female body-hating, female oppressing culture" they would say. "You don't see guys being policed on their clothing."

But the exact same dress code applied to men, except it was MORE strict. Guys would have to change if their shorts didn't meet the knee, or if they went sleeveless at all! The difference is that men's styles tend to cover up more, while women's styles would reveal more. TBH, if we hate anyone's bodies, it's men's.

Punkbuster107 · Accepted Answer

I appreciate when women dress modestly, but my definition of modest is certainly different from Pakistan's.

I don't think women should be required by law to dress modestly. I think think if someone is dressing inappropriately, they are already going to have a hard time making friends, getting a job, being in a relationship, etc. There are enough reasons for people to think carefully about how to dress appropriately that I think the government getting involved is just a mess. We like our freedom over here in the US.

Werewolfy · Answer

I'm a libertarian and I belive people should be able to decide for themselves how they want to live. One thing is to respect old traditions, another is to let them rule over you. From what you say I get the impression women dress like that in your country not for modesty but from fear of imprisonment. And when you threaten people's lives you can force them to do anything and come up with all sorts of reasons. I'd understand if pakistani women are asked for their opinion and they demand to wear such clothes but until then it seems like they have absolutely no right of opinion regarding their own lives.

mistninja314 · Answer

Nope because then everyone would look the exact same AND OVERALL it's just kinda of a -_- situation to me. Now I love the way that a girl can look in a hijab, but the same goes for an American woman dressed in a casual way ^^   Well then again in America we VALUE DIVERSITY since our country is a melting pot. All cultures traditional outfits look sexy to me by the way

Anonymous · Answer

no to the hijab & never to niqab. women's (and men's) bodies should be celebrated, we are in control of our lives and should be free and liberated to do so. there are ways of being modest without wearing a niqab, its sexist and misogynistic to make women dress a certain way when men don't, the amount of times i've seen married men in a sleeveless t-shirt and shorts with their wives in niqabs is unfair. doing that is clear oppression by stripping women of their basic identity. its not modest, its ownership.

steveguitar · Answer

Nope, women and everybody should dress how hey want to, then it shows their personality and character. Then you can say I do or do not want to go near that person.

Also, who wants everybody to look the same? Not me. I like to see women's hair, any skin even just a face is good.

GirlScoutsRevenge · Answer

I think you should show yourself respect and cover your face too.

It has nothing to do with not respecting yourself and everything to do with western culture being one that doesn't victim blame. It isn't a woman's fault a man cannot control himself around a woman who shows a bit of flesh.

Prettygurl12 · Answer

Only if men have to start covering themselves up too. Otherwise that's called sexist. And that's not okay.

madpete1111 · Answer

Here in america women are people not property. They can do as they please. In your country do the men cover themselves so only their wives can see their flesh? No, there is a double standard and I don't like it

Izzex3 · Answer

Just because someone shows skin doesn't mean they don't respect themselves.
A lot of people don't NEED short skirts and low cut tops to feel good about themselves either.
You shouldn't assume stupid crap like that.
& No. I see no reason why women should have to cover themselves.

CreepyOldMan · Answer

Oh, yeah, definitely. I could totally get into that. And the belly dancing. Don't forget the belly dancing.

Breegee1989 · Answer

Why is everyone being so disrespectful? I can see where the whole self respect thing comes into play. It seems like nowadays I can't go out in public without swing a 10 year old in high waisted shorts with her butt cheeks hanging out and her rib age practically showing because her shirt is cut so low. Everything is over sexualized. But I do think people should be able to wear what they want, of course. To each his own

James0 · Answer

Unlike the middle east, I believe women in the Us have more freedom in how they present themselves, not because they were told to. There nothing wrong with either culture but it's just sexist.

jackhammer900 · Answer

you know the were the problem is? you are from a country where religion force woman to cover up !!! and don't accept free will !

Anonymous · Answer

I think people should have the right to wear whatever they want, if a women want to cover herself that's up to her, if another women wants to wear jeans and a tank top that's her choice, basically people should be able to wear what they want without being judged, clothing is clothing whether its a Niqab or a lowcut top and jeans, as long as your breasts and vagina isn't on display i honestly don't see anything wrong with how western women dress.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't always agree with it, but they should be free to wear what they want. I even support them going topless if they want. I know a lot of women will think I am being a perv for saying that, but I actually had trouble coming to that conclusion. I was raised to be very conservative, so I don't agree with a woman going topless, but in my heart, it feels wrong to tell a woman she shouldn't be allowed to go topless just like a man can.

Anonymous · Answer

Weren't we all naked at one point anyway... It's just a body, and if someone can't look at a body without thinking sexual thoughts or controlling their actions, then they are the ones with the problem. While I still get the point of covering your private areas, last time I checked, guys have arms too, so it's not like it's something they haven't seen before.

Anonymous · Answer

No I don't think women should cover up. I do, however, think that men like you are scums :)
A woman who covers up is not more respectful if herself, than a woman who doesn't. When I see a woman i Hijab I feel sorry for her. The way I see it she is controlled by her husband, and does not posses freedom or are allowed to have a will of her own. Basically she is a slave.

Hephaestus · Answer

Nopes. It should be totally up to the woman what she wears and for what reason.

sillygirl13 · Answer

No I live my clothes and I dress boyish here so no I want my hair flowing free and my curves showing I dress like a rocker/biker chic and I like it that way. Guys wear what they want and so I have the same rights

Princessofpersia · Answer

I grew up in Iran and it was the law to cover up. It sucked and was the dumbest fucking thing ever.

Anonymous · Answer

No I don't. No one should dress trashy but I don't see anything wrong with girls wearing shorts and t shirt or singlet, stuff like that. In western countries that's what we do and to hell with what other countries think

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