Do cultures that do not let women show their bodies acknowlege the power of it?

Question

While I do not agree that women should be forced to do anything, Are the cultures that only allow women to only show their hands and other things like that the ones that know a womens worth the most? Is it because they know the power that women have the reason they make them hide themselves?

Answer 1

Good way of thinking about it... Impressive. I think you are right also it a says that men are pigs too who can't resist women's bodies so they have to cover up. Regardless all those types of beliefs sometimes make no sense at all...

Answer 2

In the Middle East and in some other Muslim cultures, it is said that women must be covered so that they do not incite lust in men (as though men can't control themselves but that's another issue). I feel that the men are afraid of/hate women, and that this is some sort of cultural "punishment" from centuries past.

I've been to AbuDhabi, where the native UAE women residents are expected to dress head to toe in black (men wear white). BUT, I also saw them on the plane from Paris in tight jeans and T-shirts, so it's kind of mixed up. The impression I did get is that there is a sort of power to the women wearing something that covers them up completely (even a fellow swimmer during the "women's swim time" was covered neck to ankles and wrists in black). It's a very interesting issue, and thank goodness it's changing (and in some areas going backwards unfortunately as fundamentalism takes place in other areas).

Answer 3

I wouldn't make a blanket statement that they value women more than others. I am sure there are many who value women and I think it's fine if a woman feels empowered to do that. I wouldn't like it, though. That said I think women who dress too provocatively do themselves no favors.

Draped in cloth or not, women in many places are mutilated, trafficked for sex, raped, not allowed the same rights as men, prevented from owning property, etc. Just because a woman is in a short skirt or is in a burka neither protects from or prevents rape from happening.

There is so much to be grateful for in the US but there is still SUCH a long way to go.

Maybe we can get a more expert opinion on her to tell you more specifics.

Even my so called "feminist" believing boyfriend raped me. So spouting political beliefs that you empower women means nothing. How women are treated says it all.

Answer 4

Since some of those countries also believe in beating the cr@p out of their wives (they even have blogs on how to do it 'properly' so it doesn't make their faces ugly) I would say that they know how much power a woman has over a man and that they are afraid of that power.

Answer 5

I find it strange how some cultures subject their women to cover their bodies with just their eyes and hands showing, yet allow them to adapt to western ways of life. For example the Muslim population over in Great Britain has increased dramatically over recent years yet instead of adapting to our way of living they deem it necessary to bring their ideology over here. They then protest in their hundreds about our ignorance in not recognising the significance of their wanting to hide their bodies. Schools in the big cities like London , Manchester, Birmingham have been under fire for being strict with the various dress codes regarding uniform, yet bend over backwards to accomodate the muslim, in fear of being labelled racist. It's not about power and what power women possess that you should be worried about, it's the religious meaning behind it and unless our government reacts to it, very soon there is going to be bloodshed on our streets.

Answer 6

That's a nice theory, I like it.
But I don't think that women should have to cover up. (By that I mean cover the ENTIRE body...showing your legs and arms doesn't mean you're a skank.) Rather, men should be taught to control themselves. Perhaps they can give men a blindfold to carry around so if they see a woman they can't resist, they can just cover up their eyes until she goes away.
Or....how about this....what about a man who is so handsome he incites lust in a woman and she starts to drool over him? There's nothing wrong with thinking someone is good-looking.

Answer 7

That's a real good question. It's almost like they don't want women to be able to do anything. It's their way to keep women down.

Answer 8

of course the female body is powerful,and no its nothing to do with oppression,its for protection.i am muslim,and like all muslim women i dress in a modest way by choice,i did before i was a muslim.its called self respect.

Answer 9

India is the same

Answer 10

I believe so.