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 demand 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.
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.
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Thanks for reading!
Dominic Adams says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
Oh, Amen! Yes, Amy! Yes!
Thank you for articulating some of the thoughts I have had for years! J
JEZEBEL says
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 says
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 says
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 says
Wonderfully said, Amy! Thank you. You should write for me, friend! You are gifted 🙂 J
sally says
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 says
Again a really fascinating post Jacqueline