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Race, Gender, And Women

Decent Essays

During the time I observed Mass there was a dominate race in attendance—mostly Caucasian (around 200) with several Hispanics (around 50) and very few African Americans (only three); however, there was not a dominate sex or age of the attendees. There seemed to be an equal amount of males and females, and a vast degree of age—newborns to very elderly among the participants. The clothing of the participants was very formal and respectful. Most women either wore long dresses or skirt with leggings or tights underneath, some women wore pants; however, there was only a few women in pants; all women wore shirts that did not show very much (if any) cleavage—some women (around ten) wore black, white, gray, or brown veils over their heads—at first I believed that the veils were a sign that the women wearing them were preparing to become nuns; however, several small children were wearing the veils over their heads, and according to Lauren, the veils are symbolic—they show respect to the Saints and God by allowing women to observe submissiveness and obedience. There seems to be no correlation between the veils color and a symbolic meaning behind the veil color. Men wore suits or khakis and a button up shirt. Women and men were all aware that they were in a church and must be modest—not shorts or t-shirts or cocktail dresses were seen of the participants—if someone was to show up to Mass in this attire it would be deemed inappropriate. Even the priest and altar servers and choir member

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