Dressing Modesty

In today’s society people think it is their place to tell others—especially girls—how to dress. When girls are raped at colleges, or just even in the

As most of our popular culture, everything is always changing. What is in while we are teenagers will be ancient in 10 years. The same goes for the wardrobes of women. I think that the clothing options have had a positive progression because of the acceptance of female sexuality. In the early 1920s women were extremely modest by showing little to know skin in their daily lives. Women were expected to be made up all of the time and that is something that I couldn’t even imagine. Being a Marian girl, there is nothing I love more than throwing my hair up every morning with no makeup. As you move into the 60s and 70s women began wearing skirts, dresses, and girdles. YUCK. There is nothing wrong with a more modest look, the problem I have with clothing is that even when mothers were cleaning the house they were expected to be in dresses or other types of uncomfortable, but nice looking clothing. It has been cool to see how slowly skirts have gotten shorter and more skin is being shown, but the central issue is the mindset of seeing women as sexual object rather than a person. Although in our time no type of clothing is surprising, there is still a sense of judgement from men and even older women when you wear something that makes your look like a “slut”. It saddens me that people really can’t look past what you are wearing. I hope the future for women is going to be

Young girls across the world are constantly being sexualized and told to cover up their bodies. Girls starting from middle school through high school are told to meet ridiculous standards that are required to be appropriate to attend public school. Girls who are forced to change or go home based on these absurd demands are being told that putting their education on pause, is more important that being comfortable in their clothes they are wearing. A boys wears a shirt to school with a bikini model on it, and nothing is said. A girl wears a tanktop on a 90 degree day, and she is pulled out of class. Standards like this are interrupting the education of many young women across the world, and they need to be stopped. Ruining self esteem for

It is of no possible argument that some of the most valuable and lasting ideas of life and the world around us are taught and learned at school. Hard work does you well. Cheaters never prosper. Education is the key to success. Girls bodies are a distraction and objects to be inevitably sexualized and harassed. This may sound over exaggerated, but this is the message beings sent to millions of students near and far by the sexist, self-esteem demolishing, unfocused dress codes in schools today. This said, dress codes in schools create a negative environment, putting the focus on the wrong things and ideas, both promoting rape culture and a strong sense of sexism.

Before I explain the importance of why a woman should dress modestly, I believe that it is important to address why a woman should dress. In Genesis 3 we find the story of the fall of man: Adam and Eve sinned against God and broke the relationship between Him and them. When Adam and Eve broke their relationship with God it allowed for sin to enter the earth, which opened their eyes to their own nakedness. After realizing that they were exposed they sewed fig leaves together to make clothing, but it only covered their private parts, not their bodies.

Tight fitting, short clothes have been the choice for many women today. Sandelands states that “sex… is the mainspring of our social life” (7). In social situations, many women dress to tease the male mind, but some males can mistake a woman’s choice of clothing for a chance at satisfying sexual urges. Based on studies given and research, what is considered appropriate for social settings could endanger women’s lives. Rape is an example of miscommunication between what a woman really intended with her clothes and what a man thinks she is implying.

(Elliot.2014) The school board stated to CTV NEWS that “we’re trying to teach them how to be ready for life when they graduate high school, be it university or perhaps a job.” I oppose this statement as a dress code now should not have anything to do with an individual’s future. Also, some people may argue that it puts others at stake unintentionally such as young males, and male teachers. It is said that provocative clothing attracts the opposite sex, but what we should be putting forward is the saying that humans should learn to control rather than restrict. There is a bias in schools and educational institutions due to the impression that without a dress code there will be breakdown of discipline, lack in academic success, and approach of sexuality. There is excess attention attracted towards the negativities of not having a dress code, but we do not see that dress codes restrict freedom of expression, or “form of art.” Being able to express your feelings and thoughts through appearance in your own way had the ability to boost self confidence, which is psychologically shown to improve and maintain good health, as well as promote any form of success especially at an age where individuals are yet to learn of themselves. A female could be bare appearance (naked) but have extensive amounts of knowledge and intelligence; therefore females should not be singled out over dress codes which should be banned as it does not define a

How does somebodies attire effects other people’s judgments of them? More specifically, how does attire of women influences others judgments? These are questions that take root from evolving problems in the world today. It is hard to give an honest answer because it is an opinionated argument. However, appropriate attire policies is a growing problem for society, there is a growing demand for equality in male and female attire. The argument is expressed in an article written by Laura Bates called, “How School Dress Codes Shame Girls and Perpetuate Rape Culture”. The problem is that women are expected to dress in a way that is socially acceptable. Socially acceptable means that, females must dress in a way that protects and covers the female anatomy. This argument that Bates explains, expresses a pathos appeal because you are allowed to understand the point of view of those who have been victimized by dress codes. The article also gives an ethos appeal because the article makes a person question their morale value. Questioning whether dress codes are equal or unjust and sexist. Reading the argumentative peace it is obvious that Bates stands against sexist dress codes.

Laura Bates wrote a very controversial article on May 22, 2015. Her two page article, “How Dress Codes Shames Girls and Perpetuates Rape Culture,” set a tone that is hard to forget. Laura includes detailed examples that capture her readers attention and open one’s eyes to the harm that public school dress codes are doing, not only to the physical image of a girl, but to the self-esteem of many girls as well. There are many thoughts and emotions that follow this topic, because of the many girls that have been affected personally by dress codes, or rather, dress code violations. In this groundbreaking article, the question of whether or not a school dress code shames girls and perpetuates rape culture is answered.

In fact, Women’s clothing is not an excuse for harassment. Women even experienced harassment wearing sweatpants, long sleeved blouses, and long pants. Girls and women across the world are raped and assaulted while in flannel pajamas and cold-weather running gear and clubbing dresses and everything in between. Cultures where women are required to or choose to cover up a great deal, there is still a high incidence of rape and sexual violence and in some cultures where clothing is optional, rape and sexual violence is low. The Huffington post wrote an article on an art museum that displayed outfits that women wear sexually harassed in, which was more than dresses and shorts. There were loose fitting pants and loose-fitting t-shirts displayed, which showed that less-reveling clothes does not help.

In high schools all over America, young girls are being sent home for wearing “provocative” outfits and are being asked to change as it would be wrong for these girls to be a distraction to the boys in their class. This attitude puts in the minds of adolescent girls the feeling that boys will inevitably be boys and, as women, they are the ones who should change their outfit to better accommodate the male students. Laura Bates addresses this issue in “How School Dress Codes Shame Girls and Perpetuate Rape Culture”. Bates’ purpose is to raise awareness on the subject matter, as well as give her opinion on it. Through her use of ethos, pathos, and logos, Laura Bates presents a very strong argument.

How would you feel if the clothing you are wearing at this moment can potentially put you at harm? That your favorite flower print shirt with the vintage pattern or that new crop top you just got on sale last week, can make you a victim of a sexual crime. Sounds rational, but that is the reality. A women’s appearance, in today’s society, has led men and women to believe that your choice of clothing can make you a victim of sexual harassment or more precisely; a target. However, rather than being seen as victims of the crime, women are being blamed for provoking sexual intentions in their attackers. Women have become victims of “slut shaming,” a social stigma that shames women for violating traditional expectations. It is this type of influence that enforces the blaming of victims to be misplaced.

For example, girls are less prone to assault and sexual harassments. Some girls are comfortable wearing miniskirts, shorts, sleeveless dresses or tank tops. Although it is a part of fashion style wearing those kinds of clothes may induce them and they can be a victim of molestation and abuse. Implying the dress code will lessen this predicament. Putting some limitations and restrictions on dressing up, will prevent and mitigate these kinds of situations.

Lastly, there are emerging issues observed in the media which involve people displaying their nakedness to the public. Such deeds demonstrate lack of self-respect, and there is no particular individual to blame since it was one provoked by only one victim and other people followed. Reading from the material provided concerns me that I should practice personal values and ethics and emphasize on self-respect and individual principles. It is important to me that I have learned to respect myself and not to be controlled by habits.

When I was younger, I honestly have no memories of being told, “only boys play with that,” or “girls wear dresses.” I come from a very open minded family who accepts me for who I am. According to the traditional ways in society, girls like pink and purple, and boys like blue and green. I do remember playing with a lot of Barbie dolls and wearing my pink skirt, but my favorite color was orange and I played football out in the yard with the rest of the neighborhood kids. When I was in the fourth grade I only wore jeans and long sleeved shirts, I would not even wear capris all the way up until I graduated high school. That was the year I first became self conscious about myself and learned what