Western Culture and Woman.

[SkyDekker 1,141]

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It's stuff like this that I have a problem with.

That is Saudi Arabia, you forget they are part of the good guys....

[Nightingale 0]

but here, we have a choice whether or not to conform to what society says is beautiful or sexy, and how far we want to take it. Personally, I choose to wear contact lenses, because I don't like the way my glasses look, plus, the contacts give me better vision. Plastic surgery isn't for me. That's my choice. There's nobody making it for me. There's nobody telling me I MUST dress in a certain manner. It's my choice. I usually show less skin than most. I wear what makes me comfortable. If I see someone wearing a veil here, I assume they are wearing what makes them comfortable as well, unless they tell me otherwise.

In other parts of the world, women can't choose what to wear, how to behave, who to marry, or even where they will go and who with. They can't drive cars or have jobs. If they choose otherwise, they are punished, many times severely. Respect for women doesn't include treating them like children incapable of making a decision for themselves. I'm sure there are many women who are happy in that world, but I do know there are women who are not happy, with no real way out.

I don't care what they choose, just that they CAN choose without the threat of punishment.

[Darius11 12]

I don't care what they choose, just that they CAN choose without the threat of punishment.

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100% agreed.

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In other parts of the world, women can't choose what to wear, how to behave, who to marry, or even where they will go and who with. They can't drive cars or have jobs.

I have not been in those parts of the world so I wouldn't know. In Iran the dress code is for all not just woman. Woman can behave any way they like, have jobs, drive cars, and there is more woman in universities then men.

As stated in my post. I can only speak for what I have seen with my own eyes. If it was up to me all men and woman would have equal rights every where.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

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[Nightingale 0]

I found this to be very interesting:

Mohammad Taqi Rahbar, member of Majlis Cultural Committee in an interview:

Q: Do these regulations apply to women only?
A: We have restrictions for men, too. Men and women should not mix and the law should not let men wear short trousers in public. However, we are currently focusing on women because the men are abiding by law and they need not cover their heads. The men do not wear makeup and they had better wear proper attire in public. Our problems involve women. Many governmental centers like Enqelab Sports Complex do not meet the regulations and I regret to say that the directors do not feel responsible. Many come to us objecting to violation of dress code. If the government decides to put the regulations into action in the schools and universities we will see major developments and nobody can object. We have directives for Islamic principles but they are not obeyed.

http://www.netiran.com/?fn=artd(2208)

[Michele 1]

Darius, I can respect your opinion, but I don't agree.

As Kris has said, if it's about choice, about a religious principle which is adhered to by personal choice and desire, but not because the women were told they would die should they not cover their heads (I think that was a Taliban rule, although I'm not sure...I know it's not likely in Iran), then I say "go for it." It's about choice. If there's punishment attached, there's no choice.

Further, I'd say that in much of Islamic run countries, women are indeed treated as second class (or worse). They are not allowed to vote, to drive, to dress the way they choose, to educate themselves, and to pursue all those things that I, as an american woman, take for granted, like where to go unescorted by a male family member, choosing who to date, to be affiliated with (in regards to clubs, religion, et cetera), and many other things along those lines.

There was a time not too long ago here in the US where women were second class citizens; we still see remnants of it in places (the "glass ceiling", unequal pay, and so forth). I am thankful for those who came before me and leveled the playing field as much as it has...the rest is indeed up to me.

HOWEVER...simply because I enjoy the freedom to live my life my way, doesn't mean that it will be desired by others, in my culture or in other cultures. If someone chooses - without fear of punishment - a particular lifestyle, then good on them - go forward and be happy with your choice. Should a woman choose to wear a face covering because she chooses to out of respect for Islamic laws, similar to the Orthodox Jews here choosing to wear skirts only and walk on the Sabbath, fine. They are not threatened with dire physical harm should they decide to wear pants one day, and thus the observance of that religious law is sincere.

And I would also add this...for someone to accede to a particular religious law to make someone else happy and not because they choose it is a form of pressurization to become the cultural norm. If one is going to be shunned because of whom they date, or what they wear - ostracized from their family and community - then that's pressure to conform, similar to those teens who believe that they will only get a date if they look like Britney Spears and wear silly clothes and undergo massive surgeries to adhere to a perceived standard.

Just my .02...

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~