After posing half-naked in a recent photo shoot, Emma Watson (the star in the upcoming Beauty and the Beast movie) couldn’t understand why people were calling her a hypocrite.
As an outspoken self-proclaimed feminist, some people viewed Emma’s photoshoot as quite the contradiction. They were wondering how a woman could stand for “women’s equality and female respect,” while at the same time taking part in the sexual objectification of women.
In response to the pushback that Emma Watson received for posing half-naked, Gloria Steinem (a liberal feminist) rushed to her side in defense.
Gloria Steinem unashamedly told the media, “Feminist can wear whatever the *** they want. They should be able to walk down the street nude and be safe.”
And that, right there, is the illogicality of feminism.
Women demand respect. We demand dignity. But then we pose half naked for the cameras and wonder why we’re being objectified.
Sadly though, as obvious as this contradiction may seem to some, it’s brushed off by our culture as “no big deal.” Feminism continues to promise women that stripping down will somehow empower us. Feminism promises us that sexual liberation will somehow bring about the respect that we desire.
As women, we’re told that undressing is empowering for our gender.
Sadly though, the results have proven to be anything but empowering.
A study called The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness stated, “Women are less happy nowadays despite 40 years of feminism. Despite having more opportunities than ever before, they have a lower sense of well-being and life satisfaction.”
Rather than jumping on board with our culture’s push to undress, I’m proposing a new method for empowering women. Modesty.
4 Reasons Modesty Empowers Women and Nudity Doesn’t
1. Modesty places value on a woman’s body (nudity doesn’t).
Women were created by God to be physically beautiful. To have soft curves and a lovely figure. However, God didn’t design the intimate parts of this beautiful body to be consumed by any passerby (Prov. 5:18-19). When we, as women, uncover and reveal our intimate body parts, we cheapen what God has made valuable.
A large diamond is considered precious and valuable because it’s rare and uncommon. Modesty works the same way. By covering our intimate parts, we boldly state that our bodies are precious, valuable, and not available for common consumption.
2. Modesty promotes female dignity (nudity makes her an object).
Nudity and immodesty have completely backfired on women. Rather than gaining more respect and dignity in the eyes of men, we have become objects to consume. By undressing, we have trained many modern men to view us as nothing more than eye candy. We have thrown our dignity down the drain at the false promise of becoming more empowered.
Putting our clothes back on is the first step to regaining some ground. Actions speak louder than words. By dressing modestly we silently proclaim that we are not purchasable objects. We are dignified women who value our bodies, and expect the same from others.
As Jessica Rey, fashion designer, stated, “modesty isn’t about hiding ourselves, it’s about revealing our dignity.”
3. Modesty commands respect (nudity does the opposite).
Women desire respect just like men do. Sadly, nothing has destroyed respect for women more than the porn industry. I looked up synonyms for respect, and I found words like esteem, regard, high opinion, admiration, reverence, and honor. Porn encourages none of those for women. Why? Because porn/nudity turns women into “objects” and objects are disposable and replaceable.
Women who dress with modesty and decency naturally command more respect.
When we respect our own bodies, we encourage the respect, honor, and admiration from those around us.
4. Modesty draws attention to the face (nudity feasts on the body).
It’s not uncommon to be out in public and see a random guy doing a “once over” on a girl. When we, as women, undress and reveal sections of our intimate body parts, we shouldn’t be surprised when strangers feast on our body. By dressing immodestly we invite everyone, including creepers, to enjoy what isn’t theirs.
The attention we receive (good or bad) is based on our physical allure, not on who we are as a person. By dressing modestly we instantly put the creepers in their place. We send the message that our face is where the focus needs to be. We encourage people to get to know “us” not our curves.
My caveat here: Creepers usually cannot be “put into their place” by the women or girls upon which they are creeping. This is a caution NOT to drop our alertness or caution!
Nudity destroys dignity. Modesty promotes respect.
And just for the record, modesty doesn’t mean a woman is ashamed of her body…it means she is valuing what God has already given value to.
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
Do you agree or disagree with the idea that dressing modestly empowers women? Why?
In what ways have you seen nudity negatively affect the female gender?
Meet Kristen and Bethany. “We are sisters from the southern state of Texas, just enjoying life and spreading truth. Since launching GirlDefined Ministries in 2014, our goal has always been the same – to help modern girls understand and live out God’s timeless truth for womanhood. Through our blogs, videos, conferences, and online webinars, we are building an online “sisterhood” where girls and women can find the encouragement and answers they’re searching for.”
Top photo via VisualHunt.
Dominic Adams
Thank you Jacqueline for this much needed post! Most women do not understand how there dress effects men. The researched based book, For Women Only might also help explain and expand why modesty helps gain respect. Again, thank you for addressing this sensitive subject.
Also, a side note: books read to children send subtle messages to them about how they should dress. http://www.discoversuccess.info only recommends books that have the characters dressed modestly in order to teach children subtly how to dress for respect.
Jacqueline
I love Kristen Clark’s points, and you would love their site GirlDefined!
Yes, that is so true, Dominic! We need real solid role models that we can respect and look up to. I cringe when moms of children (of any age) dress immodestly and then encourage their child to do the same :-/
Jessica Penner
Awesome, awesome post. And so very timely. Thanks for sharing it! Most modern women, and even men, find “modesty” really prudish and stale, but it’s totally not. I love that quote about modesty revealing dignity. It’s so true. Who would respect Kate Middleton if she dressed super immodestly? Far less than those who do now. Anyway, thanks for the article! Blessings =)
Amy
Also, I think women forget that modesty is important because it values OTHER WOMEN. If I show up to an event in something very revealing, or even something ostentatiously expensive, there might be another woman at that same event who feels bad about herself when she looks at me. She might be jealous of me and think “ugh, why do I even bother.” Think about that for a minute. I NEVER want another woman to look at me and feel “less than.” I like to look pretty, but I never want another woman to feel badly because I took “pretty” way too far.
Now, I can’t control any one else’s thoughts. I am not responsible for everything that everyone else thinks. But you can be sure that I will never wear something that is solely made for the purpose of “showing off” because I care deeply about each person I come in contact with, even if we’ve never met. This “if you’ve got it, flaunt it” culture completely disregards sisterhood! Being modest, for me anyway, is about covering my “goods” out of respect for myself, for men, but most especially out of respect for other women.
THAT is my kind of feminism.
Jacqueline
Oh, Amen! Yes, Amy! Yes!
Thank you for articulating some of the thoughts I have had for years! J
JEZEBEL
I think the point is this: if someone doesn’t respect me when I’m wearing short shorts or a low-cut shirt, they’re not going to *truly* respect me if I’m wearing a turtle neck, floor length sweater dress either. Men are not uncontrollable animals who simply cannot help themselves as soon as they see a stray shoulder. However, when they are coddled and treated as such, then disrespectful or overly sexual behavior becomes the “temptress’s” problem. Stop treating men as though they cannot control themselves and they will stop acting like it. Give the men in your life a little more credit and hold them accountable for their actions, and let women live their lives without feeling guilty for some creep’s perverted headspace. Women are not either Mother Theresa’s deserving of respect or harlots worthy of condemnation.
Furthermore, feminism does not REQUIRE ANYONE to undress if they feel uncomfortable doing so. Wear what you want….that is the point. Feminism wants YOU to have that choice.
And one more time for those in the back: STOP BLAMING WOMEN FOR MEN’S PROBLEMS. IF A CREEP IS A CREEP THEN HE’S A CREEP….THAT’S NOT MY FAULT. Why is it that women are held accountable not only for THEIR “sin,” but also those of the men around them? Seems pretty archaic, unfair, and misogynistic to me.
Jacqueline
You are missing the point, Jezebel. “The attention we receive (good or bad) is based on our physical allure, not on who we are as a person. By dressing modestly we instantly put the creepers in their place. We send the message that our face is where the focus needs to be. We encourage people to get to know “us” not our curves.”
I want to be respected for who I am inside, what’s in my mind and heart. It makes me sick to have a dreeper do the ‘once over’.
And just for the record, modesty doesn’t mean a woman is ashamed of her body…it means she is valuing what God has already given value to.
Thanks for your comment!
Amy
Hi Jezebel,
The issue is simply more nuanced than that. Men are responsible for their own thoughts. But I am also responsible for what I put out into the world. This does not give men an excuse to say or do heinous things like cat-calling, date-raping, and human trafficking. But, if you think this post suggests that idea in any way…you simply didn’t read it.
This post was written by a woman, addressing other women. So that’s why it talks about what women wear and how men perceive that. Just because the author is addressing a specific audience in this post doesn’t mean that men are off the hook. In fact, in the Christian belief system, each person (man or woman) is charged with caring enough about others to avoid leading a “brother or sister” into sin. From the book of Romans: “For if your brother (or sister) is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.” Food, drink, clothes, houses…all of it should be used to point others toward good. Everything we do effects other people. We are not called to be mind-readers, but we are called to put effort into seeing that other people don’t sin because of us.
Anyone, even non-Christians, can see that this is simply natural law for anyone who claims to love the human race. I shouldn’t entice you to do things that are wrong and neither should you entice me. What I wear can be used as a tool for enticement…if I choose to wear something I know arouses others. And if I choose to do that, do I care for the feelings of others as much as I claim to? No, that’s not love for others. That’s selfish desire. (Coming from someone who has acted out of selfish desire more times than love, btw.)
Our society doesn’t discuss men’s modesty very often because LOOK AT THE CLOTHES WE MAKE FOR THEM. A button down shirt and dress slacks for business casual….seriously, that’s it. I think I’ve seen a total of 20 men in shorts higher than 2-3 inches above the knee in my entire life. Women’s clothing, however, is so often cut to show skin. We can choose what to buy, but we can’t pretend that the marketing images we see don’t affect us. Just like you can’t pretend that the skin you show doesn’t affect others.
Teach your boys to have self-control in thought, heart, mind, and dress. And teach your girls to have self-control in thought, heart, mind, and dress. (Then maybe talk to your girl a little more about the dress part because they don’t make halter tops for boys…)
With respect,
Amy
Jacqueline
Wonderfully said, Amy! Thank you. You should write for me, friend! You are gifted 🙂 J
sally
I think neither nudity nor modesty empower woman if we don’t do it upfrontly. Making choice, honestly, heartily with reflexion is what empower us.
(sorry for my english, it’s not my native language)
Amber Harrop
Again a really fascinating post Jacqueline
jamshir Bagwadia
When you mean children, you mean girls right?
I mean do you have to remind men how to dress to be respected?
Jacqueline
Yes, I think that is what the author means, Jamshir!
MaryLena Anderegg
Amen! You are so on target!
The feminist movement has done nothing,but degrade and defile women. The unisex movement which went with it has made it very difficult to find clothing that flatters the female figure. It’s almost as though designers hate the look of women. Notice, if you will, how difficult it is for a woman to look graceful or gracious in most of today’s clothing.
Thank you for having the courage and integrity to speak out. Blessings.
Jacqueline
Thank you, MaryLena! I love to guest post Kristen and Bethany’s work! I could never say it as well as they do! Blessings, J
Sonie
Love this article so much! It really cleared a few things up for me. Thankyou
Jacqueline
Sonie, that is great to hear! I am so thankful I had a heart change, too. It couldn’t have come at a better time (age 31) because I was headed to destruction and didn’t see it. I praise God for that!
redhead
Molesters and rapists honestly don’t give a **** about what their victim wears. Middle East shows that.
On the other hand, there are cultures that don’t immediately associate nudity with sex. Some African peoples, Nordic countries, Polynesians..
Besides, aren’t the mainstream clothes getting more and more covering each year? Ankle-length skirts and dresses, high necklines, long sleeves. At least where I live (Europe). Possibly because of Islamic influences and rises in conservative political environments. Women are advised to dress modestly so refugee men won’t be offended. Does that sound good and fair?
Sherri
I actually have a lot of trouble finding clothes that are both pretty and modest. I mostly have to settle for modest and boring/ unflattering, sadly. I’m sure many of you relate to this.
Jacqueline
Hi, Sherry! I think a lot of us do have trouble finding clothes that are both pretty and modest, but I try not to be discouraged! I don’t buy much, but what I do end up buying, I will not wear it if it isn’t flattering and I feel really great in it. Hang in there and don’t give up looking for what is really modest but attractive! ~J
Maran
dear Jacqueline, I simply do not agree with a single point of this article. You suggest that it is a woman’s fault that she is preyed upon if she does not dress modestly. However, it is men that are the ones who should be taught that nudity is normal. This article gaslights women into thinking that they are the problem when it is women like YOU who are at the root of the problem. How can you teach women that the only way to gain respect is by hiding her body? I think it is so ridiculous. Just because modesty empowers you does not mean that it empowers everyone. If a woman decides to show parts of her body that does not mean that she is any less of a person and she deserves the same level of respect!!!! I think this mindset is very much conservative and backwards and I hope you change your ways.
Jacqueline
Maran, Have you not learned the eternal truth: “you reap what you sow”?! If you sow immodesty (in spirit or in dress), you will attract men that will be attracted to you UNTIL someone more enticing comes along. There are still good men out thee that will be faithful and kind and treat you with respect. They are looking for something that you show them you do not possess. Discretion. Bad men will not respect a loose woman and will use her till he tires of her. I don’t believe you want to be used. I don’t believe you want to be laughed at behind your back because you are easy. Satan is a liar and seeks to kill, deceive and destroy. In the end he destroys his followers. The almighty God of creation offers you peace and joy and eternal life -180 degrees different than the evil one offers. You can have life and have it more abundantly is you only ask the Lord to show you His power! You only need to ask Him to make you a new creation!
“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” ~Galatians 6: 7-8
May the Lord help you, sister! You will need it if you live like you say you are and believe what you say you do.
I kinda don’t think you even read the article, Maran, bc you think I wrote it and thus am the problem. This was written by someone way younger than me!
Maybe start over and actually get more information on WHY Kristen is saying nudity does NOT empower women!
Blessings,
Jacque
“Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me (God), and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” ~Jeremiah 29: 12-13
Ann
I think modesty is important, but we have to be careful not to perpetuate the myth that modesty guarantees safety from sexual harassment, assault, disrespectful actions, etc. “The attention we receive (good or bad) is based on our physical allure, not on who we are as a person. By dressing modestly we instantly put the creepers in their place.” This quote simply isn’t true. I know many women who have been assaulted, harassed etc., and none of them were dressed even remotely immodestly at the time or have a habit of dressing immodestly. Especially those who were harassed or assaulted as a very young age. Creepers usually cannot be “put into their place” by the women or girls upon which they are creeping.
Jacqueline
Yes, I totally agree with what you write here. It is not my piece, but I just put a caveat in there as a caution not to drop our alertness or caution!
Thank you! ~J