Dignity in the Skin, part II

(Click here for part one.)

What many people get hung up on is how much skin a bikini shows.  Often times, they will say that the skin damages a person's dignity, that is is inappropriate, or that it is provocative.  All seemingly valid arguments.

What isn't taken into consideration is how dress codes have changed over the years.  Much of what we wear in America these days would not be up to standards one hundred years ago.  What is commonplace was not always commonplace.  Rev. Thomas J. Higgins, S.J. says in Man as Man, "Social custom may change a proximate occasion of sin into a remote occasion.  The ordinary man now is not lasciviously affected by women wearing shorts.  People have become accustomed to them.  In 1905 such dress would have been a proximate occasion of sin."  The styles of swimsuits have changed to suit their purpose.  Bikinis are not designed for swimming laps.  Speedos are not designed for sunbathing.  For many, bikini's are the most comfortable option for the goal of dressing light in the sun on the beach, maybe getting a little wet.  But to some, the midriff is a "sexual" area.  It doesn't have to be.  In our culture, more and more skin is being exposed, and to some extent, it can be inappropriate.  But do you know what you would be wearing right now if we had never changed our fashion ideas?

If we assume for the moment that bikinis are modest, are they always appropriate?  No.  Bikinis are common on the beach.  They are expected and wouldn't make most people think twice.  Wearing a bikini into a bar or to window shop or to attend a sports event is not so expected, normal, or appropriate.

If we assume for the moment that bikinis are not inherently immodest, are all bikinis appropriate attire at the beach.  This is "wear" it gets a little tricky.  Some bikinis don't leave much room for complaint: 

The swimsuit in the above photo doesn't show off a whole lot.  But some bikinis have so little material that you'd have to organize the complaints by column and row.

But regardless of what we decide is appropriate to wear around other people in a certain situation: "This discussion will always come down to a heart issue. God knows our hearts and intentions. If our intentions are to draw attention from guys and men, head back to the changing room. We can say whatever we want, but our intentions in wearing what we wear speak volumes" (Rachel Lee Carter at Modeling Christ).  What that doesn't mean is that anything is appropriate as long as our heart is in the right place.  But what it does mean is that modesty isn't a dress code.  A dress code dictates what attire is appropriate, such as at the work place or at a school.  Modesty has more to do with when you're reeeeally pushing the dress code rules in order to show off your body in, well, an inappropriate manner.  Especially as a Christian (but a universal truth), it is not appropriate to use your own body as an object.  You should not purposely try to arouse others.  It is pleasurable, but creates a lot of unhappiness.

Sometimes what seems appropriate isn't immodest, and sometimes it is.  Because modesty has to do with intentions!  That's the whole point.  Now, charity includes being concerned about what arouses others.  So even if you are not dressing to draw eyes and quicken heartbeats, it is courteous and even your duty to be aware of your society and culture.  And as a point, if you are going into circumstances where people usually dress such a way in order to get certain attention – just because you're going there, doesn't mean it is perfectly alright to do what everyone else is doing.  You may want to dress a little differently if fitting in with the crowd means that you aren't respected.  (But depending, you may need to question the wisdom of going into this situation in the first place.)

And yes, behavior can be modest or immodest.  I don't think I need to go into too much detail explaining this, but since immodesty is (in my own clumsy wording) the intentional attempts to arouse, inappropriate behavior can be immodest.  By dictionary definition, someone who is immodest lacks humility or decency.

Let’s make a commitment this summer to ditch the skimpy swimsuits, earn self respect, and help our brothers in Christ.  –Rachel Clark

I realize that no one really wants to think about swimsuits in February (at least not where I'm from) – and I'm not saying that everyone must love it and buy it and wear it for every occasion – but I propose a slightly altered commitment for your consideration until the hot weather returns:

Anything skimpy that makes you feel dirty – don't buy it.  Realize that your body, your skin can never rob you of your dignity, but that how you view your own body can effect how you are treated by others – and can affect your happiness.  And ladies, never stop loving and respecting men.  They need it as much as you do.

However you stand on the bikini, I ask you to pause and reflect on this issue.  I think this little known view of modesty satisfies far more confusion than the common responses many girls have been fed.