Guys on Immodesty, Lust, and the Violence of Women’s Bodies

moreapologies:

Robin E. sent us to a downright fascinating set of survey results. Administered by a Christian website, the survey questions were submitted by “Christian girls” who wanted to know what “Christian guys” think is modest. 1,600 guys then answered the survey, offering both quantitative and qualitative answers. Why would girls care what guys, as opposed to God, think? Because Christian guys, their future husbands, are judging them on their modesty. Ninety-five percent of them say that modesty is an important quality in their future wife.

I don’t even know where to start with the misogyny displayed by the participants in this survey so I’ll let you route through yourselves on the link. It is of course notable that the survey participants were (clearly heavily indoctrinated) young Christian men; nonetheless, some of my favourite excerpts are:

Something that is immodest is something that is designed to arouse lust within me (male, age 24).

Forty-four percent of guys think that designs on the back pockets of jeans are immodest (19% aren’t sure).

Forty-eight percent think that purses should not be worn across the body (19% aren’t sure).

Guys defined immodesty, also, as an “attitude” or a “carelessness.”  Attaining modesty was also about how you use your body and the way you act, “sexually or otherwise.”

Conclusion: women want attention and use their bodies to get attention; men, on the other hand, are lustful and should not be expected to control our lust in the face of such manipulation and sluttishness. Women should take responsibility for men’s lust but not dressing in ways that tempt them. (See also, rape culture and ‘she was asking for it’.) Further, these men decide what it modest and immodest and women should dress according to their rules and definitions.

Good luck little girls. You’re going to need all of it!

Purses around the body? What exactly does that even mean? Messenger bags are not acceptable? Or is it chain purses? My head is about to explode about this whole “survey”.

You know what? I have the solution: black plastic garbage bags from neck to toe. That should be modest and non provoking enough. However, something tells me they would still find fault in such attire.