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Resources: Understand the Arguments
“Middle School Girls Gone Wild” by Lawrence Donnes, The New York Times
This article describes the hypersexualization of young girls, especially those of middle
school age. Donnes examines this phenomenon through the lens of talent show
performances with girls strutting in tight skirts and dancing provocatively. http://www.
nytimes.com/2006/12/29/opinion/29fri4.html?
_r=1&ex=1168059600&en=86e13af13278a873&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin
“What’s In A Kiss” by Cassandra Debenedetto
An article that advocates keeping passionate kisses within the realm of marriage, in
response to the “how far is too far” question. Debenedetto argues that passionate kissing
leads to a couple’s arousal, and this puts the couple in the very difficult position of having
to decline sex even though the body is preparing for it. A great piece that suggests we take
all of our physical signs of affection seriously. http://blogs.modestlyyours.
net/modestly_yours/2008/01/whats-in-a-kiss.html
“When Young Doctors Strut Too Much of Their Stuff” by Erin Marcus, The
New York Times
Marcus describes a lack of patient confidence in doctors who wear revealing clothing in
the office. This demonstrates the impact that our dress has on the way we are perceived.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/21/health/21essa.html?
ex=1164862800&en=4164adeda1f233dd&ei=5070&emc=eta1
“You Are What You Wear” by Gila Manolson from Outside, Inside
This is an article detailing the reason for Jewish advocacy of tzniut (modesty). Manolson
discusses the importance of presenting the human self as more than just a physical entity,
and describes the relationship of this view to questions of modest attire. http://www.
simpletoremember.com/vitals/Modesty.htm
“Beneath the Surface: A Deeper Look at Modesty” by Dina Coopersmith
Coopersmith discusses the Torah and a Jewish theological perspective on modesty. She
discusses the role of sin in issues of modesty, and offers a reason why women ought to take
special interest in remaining modest. http://www.aish.
com/societywork/women/Beneath_the_Surface_A_Deeper_Look_at_Modesty.asp
“Jewish Modesty, Humility, and Human Dignity” by Yigal Gross,
Commentator
This is a discussion of the root of the Jewish doctrine of Tzni’ut and the principle at stake
in such a law: humility. Gross also addresses common misconceptions regarding why one
might seek to appear modest. http://media.www.yucommentator.
com/media/storage/paper652/news/2006/02/13/Opinion/Jewish.Modesty.Humility.
And.Human.Dignity-1602235.shtml
“Modesty Revisited” by Wendy Shalit
Shalit describes the lack of modesty in today’s world and tells a personal anecdote about
how she became involved in discussions of modesty. She recounts an example from the
Torah that sheds light on the importance of modesty. http://www.boundless.
org/2000/features/a0000413.html
“Tzeniut: A Universal Concept” by Dr. Norman Lamm
Lamm explores the three dimensions of the doctrine of tzeniut (modesty) through Jewish
thought and Scriptures, in order to show that it is more than simply “that which can be
measured by a ruler.” The dimensions include kedushah (holiness), kavod (dignity), and
privacy. Together, these dimensions make tzeniut “much more than a mitzvah”—it is a
statement about God.
http://iir.hust.edu.cn/University/Content.aspx?ID=10064
“Oh Stop Your Bragging”
This is a Christian article about the implications of modesty in areas outside of attire. It
defines modesty as a “quiet self-confidence” not dependent on what one does or does not
wear.
http://www.reallove.net/articleshow9ca5.html?ID=51
“Daughters under Fire” by Marcia Ford, Christianity Today
Ford presents ways to combat the oversexualization of young girls through modesty.
She provides some specific solutions such as prayer and modeling godliness in order to
curb the unfortunate effects of this widespread oversexualization on children. This article
is geared towards the parents of adolescent children.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2004/006/6.18.html
“Do You Want To Be Sexy” by Dannah Gresh, Brio magazine
Gresh suggests that the word sexy is overused, and puts forth a Biblical view of the term.
Sexiness, she argues, should be reserved for marriage, and not used to describe dogs or
pasta, as it is in ads, TV shows, and magazines. http://www.briomag.
com/briomagazine/healthandbeauty/a0004316.html
“Men and Modesty”
What is the role of modesty in areas where cultural norms are different from our own?
What are men’s obligations as far as reactions to immodestly attired women? This article
points out that men in areas with stricter standards of modesty than present-day North
America will be much more sensitive to immodest dress as they see much less of it than
American men. No matter what the location, however, the author stresses the importance
of men taking responsibility for their eyes and thoughts.
http://www.reallove.net/articleshowe248.html?ID=18
“Modesty Matters”, Ensign Magazine
This article describes the importance of modesty within the Latter-Day Saints Church.
This article includes dressing tips and testimonials from church members living out a
modest lifestyle. http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?
vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=b8
7be2270ed6c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
“Modesty: God, My Heart, and Clothes” (pts 1-7) by C.J. Mahaney
Mahaney writes about the importance of bringing godliness to all aspects of life,
including closets. The importance of representing ourselves as Christian people, Mahaney
writes, becomes manifest in our dress and clothing. http://www.sovereigngraceministries.
org/Blog/post/Worldliness-Resisting-the-Seduction-of-a-Fallen-World-CJ-Mahaney.aspx
“Modesty: An Overview”
This article provides a brief outline of what the standards of modesty are according to
Islam, while supplying verses from the Koran outlining and supporting these rules of dress
and behavior.
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/21/
This article describes the hypersexualization of young girls, especially those of middle
school age. Donnes examines this phenomenon through the lens of talent show
performances with girls strutting in tight skirts and dancing provocatively. http://www.
nytimes.com/2006/12/29/opinion/29fri4.html?
_r=1&ex=1168059600&en=86e13af13278a873&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin
“What’s In A Kiss” by Cassandra Debenedetto
An article that advocates keeping passionate kisses within the realm of marriage, in
response to the “how far is too far” question. Debenedetto argues that passionate kissing
leads to a couple’s arousal, and this puts the couple in the very difficult position of having
to decline sex even though the body is preparing for it. A great piece that suggests we take
all of our physical signs of affection seriously. http://blogs.modestlyyours.
net/modestly_yours/2008/01/whats-in-a-kiss.html
“When Young Doctors Strut Too Much of Their Stuff” by Erin Marcus, The
New York Times
Marcus describes a lack of patient confidence in doctors who wear revealing clothing in
the office. This demonstrates the impact that our dress has on the way we are perceived.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/21/health/21essa.html?
ex=1164862800&en=4164adeda1f233dd&ei=5070&emc=eta1
“You Are What You Wear” by Gila Manolson from Outside, Inside
This is an article detailing the reason for Jewish advocacy of tzniut (modesty). Manolson
discusses the importance of presenting the human self as more than just a physical entity,
and describes the relationship of this view to questions of modest attire. http://www.
simpletoremember.com/vitals/Modesty.htm
“Beneath the Surface: A Deeper Look at Modesty” by Dina Coopersmith
Coopersmith discusses the Torah and a Jewish theological perspective on modesty. She
discusses the role of sin in issues of modesty, and offers a reason why women ought to take
special interest in remaining modest. http://www.aish.
com/societywork/women/Beneath_the_Surface_A_Deeper_Look_at_Modesty.asp
“Jewish Modesty, Humility, and Human Dignity” by Yigal Gross,
Commentator
This is a discussion of the root of the Jewish doctrine of Tzni’ut and the principle at stake
in such a law: humility. Gross also addresses common misconceptions regarding why one
might seek to appear modest. http://media.www.yucommentator.
com/media/storage/paper652/news/2006/02/13/Opinion/Jewish.Modesty.Humility.
And.Human.Dignity-1602235.shtml
“Modesty Revisited” by Wendy Shalit
Shalit describes the lack of modesty in today’s world and tells a personal anecdote about
how she became involved in discussions of modesty. She recounts an example from the
Torah that sheds light on the importance of modesty. http://www.boundless.
org/2000/features/a0000413.html
“Tzeniut: A Universal Concept” by Dr. Norman Lamm
Lamm explores the three dimensions of the doctrine of tzeniut (modesty) through Jewish
thought and Scriptures, in order to show that it is more than simply “that which can be
measured by a ruler.” The dimensions include kedushah (holiness), kavod (dignity), and
privacy. Together, these dimensions make tzeniut “much more than a mitzvah”—it is a
statement about God.
http://iir.hust.edu.cn/University/Content.aspx?ID=10064
“Oh Stop Your Bragging”
This is a Christian article about the implications of modesty in areas outside of attire. It
defines modesty as a “quiet self-confidence” not dependent on what one does or does not
wear.
http://www.reallove.net/articleshow9ca5.html?ID=51
“Daughters under Fire” by Marcia Ford, Christianity Today
Ford presents ways to combat the oversexualization of young girls through modesty.
She provides some specific solutions such as prayer and modeling godliness in order to
curb the unfortunate effects of this widespread oversexualization on children. This article
is geared towards the parents of adolescent children.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2004/006/6.18.html
“Do You Want To Be Sexy” by Dannah Gresh, Brio magazine
Gresh suggests that the word sexy is overused, and puts forth a Biblical view of the term.
Sexiness, she argues, should be reserved for marriage, and not used to describe dogs or
pasta, as it is in ads, TV shows, and magazines. http://www.briomag.
com/briomagazine/healthandbeauty/a0004316.html
“Men and Modesty”
What is the role of modesty in areas where cultural norms are different from our own?
What are men’s obligations as far as reactions to immodestly attired women? This article
points out that men in areas with stricter standards of modesty than present-day North
America will be much more sensitive to immodest dress as they see much less of it than
American men. No matter what the location, however, the author stresses the importance
of men taking responsibility for their eyes and thoughts.
http://www.reallove.net/articleshowe248.html?ID=18
“Modesty Matters”, Ensign Magazine
This article describes the importance of modesty within the Latter-Day Saints Church.
This article includes dressing tips and testimonials from church members living out a
modest lifestyle. http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?
vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=b8
7be2270ed6c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
“Modesty: God, My Heart, and Clothes” (pts 1-7) by C.J. Mahaney
Mahaney writes about the importance of bringing godliness to all aspects of life,
including closets. The importance of representing ourselves as Christian people, Mahaney
writes, becomes manifest in our dress and clothing. http://www.sovereigngraceministries.
org/Blog/post/Worldliness-Resisting-the-Seduction-of-a-Fallen-World-CJ-Mahaney.aspx
“Modesty: An Overview”
This article provides a brief outline of what the standards of modesty are according to
Islam, while supplying verses from the Koran outlining and supporting these rules of dress
and behavior.
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/21/
Modesty