Should the Burqa Be Banned? Many Women Think No, But Others Disagree

By Sarah Seltzer, RH Reality Check. Posted July 13, 2009.

And yes, in conservative communities of all denominations (and non-religious ones as well) modest dressing restrictions treat all women like jezebels, so unendingly sexual and distracting that their figures must be kept out of sight. Such garb -- even if it has different meanings for different wearers -- reinforces a misogynist ideal that puts the burden on women to cover up rather than men to avert their gaze.

This isn't meant to equivocate between all patriarchal fashion or grooming trends -- (certainly, styles that are restrictive or unhealthy are worse than those that are just silly), but to point out that they exist on a spectrum. Feminists stand up for women at either end of the spectrum even when both ends do have pernicious aspects. Yes, we criticize "porn culture" at the same time as excoriating the "modesty movement." But then we should also support women kicked off airplanes for wearing outfits deemed too skimpy -- and rush to defend women denied jobs because they choose to wear the hijab.

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Sarah Seltzer is an RH Reality Check staff writer and resident pop culture expert. Sarah is a freelance writer based in New York City. Her work has been published in Bitch, Venus Zine, Womens eNews, and Publishers Weekly among other places. She formerly taught English in a Bronx public school.

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