Modest is Hottest

What comes to your mind when you think of MODEST IS HOTTEST?

I was doing some research and here is what I found. 

We are more than bodies to be looked at.  Self-objectification is an epidemic among females today… keeps females “in their place” as bodies in need of constant preoccupation and perfection. It takes place when we internalize an outsider’s perspective of ourselves. We literally picture ourselves being looked at as we go throughout our days, and research shows it gets in the way of everything we do. Everything. When we have to accomplish a task while also thinking about what we look like while doing it, we’re at a major disadvantage[,] we are left with fewer mental and physical resources to do what can really bring happiness. We perform worse on math tests, logical reasoning tests, athletic performance, have lower sexual assertiveness (including the ability to say “no” when needed), and we are left unfulfilled and unhappy.

Many discussions of modesty, from diverse cultural or religious perspectives, revolve around the idea of keeping sinful and unholy female bodies and body parts from the gaze of others — particularly men. This privileges the male gaze, in a  backward sort of way, and puts females at a disadvantage for being the ones in control of what others think or feel when seeing their bodies. When we speak of modesty strictly in terms of covering our bodies from the sexual gaze of others, we are keeping the level of discourse at the shallow waters of women and girls as bodies alone.

We see why suggestions regarding the length of hemlines and the depth of necklines are important, because we live in a sexual world where even the youngest of girls are sexualized to an extreme degree and they are told their “sexiness” will bring them popularity, love, and happiness. According to (Tigerman & Andrew, 2012 ) studies show girls as young as 6 years old are sexualizing themselves because media messages show them being sexy yields rewards.

According to (Moore, 2014) Modesty…is primarily a way in which we show respect for our bodies and Heavenly Father.

Live it and teach it as a means for empowerment and benefit to yourself, not as a service or protection for men. You are capable of much more than being looked at.

Examine your heart because that is where everything comes from.

Above all else, guard your heart, for 

everything you do flows from it. 

Proverbs 4:23

Feel free to comment your thoughts.

Work Cited

Kite, L., & Kite, L. (2014, February 27). Modest is Hottest? The Revealing Truth. Retrieved 

      December 2, 2014, from http://www.beautyredefined.net/modest-is-hottest-the-revealing-truth/

Moore, B. (2014, February 15). Modest Is Not Hottest. Retrieved December 3, 2014, from
      http://rebeccaamoore.com/2014/02/15/modest-is-not-hottest/

Tiggemann, M. & Andrew, R. (2012). Clothes Make a Difference: The Role of Self-Objectification. 
     Sex Roles. Vol. 66 Issue 9/10, p646