{"id":9642,"date":"2017-11-02T15:40:59","date_gmt":"2017-11-02T21:40:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelink.harding.edu\/the-bison\/?p=9642"},"modified":"2017-11-02T18:17:27","modified_gmt":"2017-11-03T00:17:27","slug":"theres-nothing-provocative-about-that","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelink.harding.edu\/the-bison\/2017\/11\/02\/theres-nothing-provocative-about-that\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018There\u2019s Nothing Provocative About That\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cI think one of the most hurtful questions that people have asked me about my rape was what I was wearing, as if it would have any kind of implications on whether or not or to what degree it was okay.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Director of Academic Resources Stephanie O\u2019Brian sat in her office filled with colorful wall-hangings and pictures of loved ones. In the corner was a stack of posters, the one on top reading, \u201cRape: Consent is Not a Blurred Line.\u201d These posters were used to promote Harding\u2019s first-ever Sexual Assault Awareness Week in April of 2017.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a victim blaming question,\u201d O\u2019Brian said, \u201cand for the record I was wearing jeans and a hoodie the night I was raped. There\u2019s nothing provocative about that. No matter what, even if you do dress \u2018provocatively,\u2019 you\u2019re not asking for it. I view (dress) as an expression of self. I also think that as a woman, I should not be held accountable for a man\u2019s thoughts, and if they cannot control their thoughts and their lust, then that\u2019s on them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The belief that a woman is responsible for a man\u2019s thoughts is a common one in Christian culture, according to O\u2019Brian. This starts with teaching young children in churches and homes about what it means to be male and female, beginning with modesty. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Modesty, from the Latin root modestus means \u201ckeeping within measure,\u201d and according to Merriam-Webster is defined as \u201cpropriety in dress, speech, or conduct.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

According to Dr. Beth Wilson, a recently-retired professor in Harding\u2019s Family and Consumer Science Department, men and women respond differently to what they see, making modesty a critical topic. Wilson taught family relationships among other courses at Harding and works with Hope Cottage, a local shelter for women and children who are survivors of domestic abuse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think women have a responsibility to be sure that they are not dressing in such a way that just the visual image starts the attraction sexually,\u201d Wilson said.<\/span><\/p>\n

O\u2019Brian said some Christian teachings of modesty reflect a mindset in which women must protect men from lusting after their bodies. During interviews with 8- and 9-year-olds at Harding Academy, female students were asked what modesty meant to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t exactly have to dress nice, you just don\u2019t wear things too short, like almost up to your waist,\u201d third-grade student Maddie said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"\"

Graphic by Darrian Bailey<\/p><\/div>\n

While some students did not understand why they should not wear certain clothing, they each had clear boundaries on what they considered appropriate dress. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t really know what (modesty) means, but I would say wear shorts 3 inches above the knee and a T-shirt, short-sleeved,\u201d third-grade student Shelby said. \u201cJust make sure that it isn\u2019t showing too much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

According to O\u2019Brian, there are a few key Biblical passages that Christians use to teach modesty, such as Proverbs 31 and its description of a virtuous woman: \u201cCharm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.\u201d O\u2019Brian also mentioned the phrase \u201cstumbling block\u201d that is often used to refer to women dressed inappropriately.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell I think that both men and women can be a stumbling block. I think dress is a part of that,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cWe can\u2019t control how others respond. But we can honestly look at what we\u2019re wearing and what we\u2019re doing and the image that is being portrayed so we each have to be accountable. If it causes our brother or sister to stumble in any way then it is a problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wilson said she believes the issue has gotten out of control in today\u2019s society and added she did not often \u201csee much immodest dress among the young men.\u201d Like the Harding Academy students, Wilson described her personal parameters when it comes to clothing and said that she tries to instill these in her female students.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI look at modesty from a Biblical standpoint, and to me I think it\u2019s not exactly what you wear,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cBut you know, we are supposed to reflect Christ, and so I think it goes beyond what I might call provocative apparel. I think any time that we draw attention to ourselves, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a reflection of what we\u2019re called on to do. I hope modesty causes people to see the inner qualities rather than just my outward appearance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is the first installment of \u201cThe M Word\u201d series. The second will appear in the next edition of The Bison, on stands Nov. 10.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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