Modesty
Modesty describes a set of culturally determined values that relate to the presentation of the self to others. Modesty is closely related to shame and humility.
One meaning is playing down or not mentioning one's own accomplishments, sometimes to the point of "false modesty", a form of boasting through excessive self-denigration.
The other meaning, also called body shame, is the wish or requirement not to expose too much of the human body; this applies to the bare skin, but also to the display of undergarment, and especially to the intimate parts; this is accomplished by suitable clothing, special ways of changing clothes (see beach), closing or locking the door when changing or taking a shower, etc.; it varies according to who could see it, with categories such as:
- spouse, partner
- friend or family of the same sex
- strangers of the same sex
- friends or family including those of the opposite sex
- people in general
Western culture in general requires the intimate parts of the body to be covered in public.
Other cultures, such as some African cultures and traditional Australian aboriginal culture have far less requirement for body modesty, though how much exposure is acceptable varies greatly, from nothing for some women, to everything except the glans penis for men of some tribes, see foreskin.
Many religious and cultural traditions have greater restrictions. Islam, and the Amish culture, for example, requires "modest dress" to be worn by both sexes. Many Muslim women wear the Islamic headscarf or hijab as a way of expressing modestly, although there is nothing in Islamic scriptures that requires this.
In some Islamic sub-cultures, this is taken to extremes, in particular in some Islamic countries where some women wear the burka, an all-encompassing garment intended to conceal every part of the body, including the eyes.
Orthodox Judaism and Sikhism both require men to wear a head covering, in the form of a skullcap or turban respectively. Some ultra-Orthodox sects of Hasidic Judaism require women to cover their hair completely, to the extent that many of them wear wigs to cover their real hair, or to cover their shaven heads.
Modesty is sometimes said by its critics to be a form of prudishness.
Compare nudism.
External link
- http://www.rejectshame.com/ - on the harm of body shame from a Christian perspective