Women should only wear skirts?

[Moscati]

I’ve noticed that women in many places today and in the past somehow if they want to wear dresses manage to wear them just fine in situations where others find them impractical.

If you live a typical, sedentary life, then I suppose so.

I remember a family of girls in our evangelical church growing up who wore only skirts. Playing volleyball was absolutely impossible for them. Rock climbing? Competitive swimming? (Stuff I did every day as a kid?) They never got to do any of that.

And I would be fired if I tried to work the ambulance or lifeguard in a skirt. At the pool, we send people home for wearing pants instead of shorts, because it truly does impede your ability to make a rescue.

 

[Shin]

Everything we do has a price… some prices are higher than we might be willing to pay especially if we knew the full charge.

 

[catholick345]

It’s cultural, and “modesty” may be in the eye of the beholder.

First off, men are to guard their eyes. It’s not a woman’s fault if he’s staring at her body.

Second, as far as our sexualized American (and probably European) culture is concerned, I hate to break it to folks, but there is a fetish for EVERYTHING. If women wore burkahs all the time, there would still be those out there that would fantasize about what was “underneath.”

And there are lesbians who are attracted to “girly girls” so there will always be a source of temptation out there. Now people will say “but you shouldn’t dress like a prostitute” (though even what “a prostitute” looks like will vary depending on the time and place).

There’s “modesty” (not showing off your naughty bits) and then there’s “dressing pretty.” It may arouse people to see attractively dressed women (or men) in the congregation. Should we then tell people to dress unattractively? So it can go too far.

Frankly, I have no trouble telling the difference between a woman wearing slacks and a woman wearing a skirt (and if anything, a skirt is “sexier” to a lot of guys anyway).

If a woman wants to cover her head in Church, God bless her. If she doesn’t, God bless her. As for Padre Pio it was a different time and he was a priest making rules for his parish. As for what they wore in the confessional, was this face to face I assume? Because otherwise, how would he know what they were wearing?

 

[Onegin]

I’m not really an advocate for women wearing skirts all of the time (though I think that, objectively they are more attractive than the tight jeans and leggings and other things that are currently en vogue), but I am an advocate for dressing appropriately according to the situation. For example, a swim suit is appropriate for swimming, lifeguarding etc, casual clothes are appropriate for casual activities, work clothes are appropriate for work, dress clothes are appropriate for Mass, etc.

If we use our good judgment in each situation, I don’t think there should be a problem worrying about the eyes of other people. Modesty isn’t a bright-line rule that we have to grap a ruler to verify, but instead it is something that is ingrained in us through proper education and common sense.

 

[Guardian_Wolf]

However, some people are saying that women should only ever wear skirts and dresses. They always cite this verse:
A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.

I’ve always thought this means not be a cross dresser, or try to appear as the opposite gender. Which of course I don’t. But back then in Biblical times, didn’t men wear robes, etc, not pants?? So is this culturally defined? Today, there are women’s pants and man’s pants. They look different… is it alright for women to wear women’s pants, as long as they are not immodest? (for example, I sometimes wear jeans with a long sweater/shirt or a short dress, so the clothing is not tight looking. And I don’t dress in a revealing way).

St. Jeanne d’Arc dressed in men’s clothes, and when questioned claimed it was at the instruction of God.

Seeing as he sent St. Catherine and St. Michael to her continuously throughout her short-lived life, I seriously doubt he ‘detested’ her…

shrug but that’s me. I’m a girl, and I LOVE my jeans. Can’t stand skirts or dresses, though I’ll wear 'em if I have to…

 

[lovingarmstrong]

I had a hard time with trying to decide how to dress modestly too and what in the world was the RIGHT view of modesty? Initially modest to me was not showing my bra strap or breasts or any cleavage at all. But I also read this article and some other protestant modesty articles. I prayed about it. How I decide if something is right for me is to challenge myself to change that aspect for a week or two or month and see how comfortable I am with it and if I feel convicted by the Lord to continue doing so. I always wore pants, jeans, and RARELY dresses or skirts. I actually owned NONE. My mother lent me some and I bought a few skirts. My husband had also asked me to ONLY wear skirts at mass that could NOT show my knee when I was sitting. This is what he felt was modest for me and I was completely fine with it After wearing skirts and dresses I learned I felt MUCH more feminine than any “feminist” could feel wearing jeans. I also conducted myself in a more modest way because you have to be more lady like I guess while in a dress or skirt. I must say I do not wear skirts near as often now as I used to or SHOULD for that matter. However, I did enjoy it and do plan on getting myself back on track. Speak with your spouse, religious friends, parents, the Lord, and challenge yourself to only skirts for a week and see how you feel You might be really surprised!

 

[lovingarmstrong]

I’m not really an advocate for women wearing skirts all of the time (though I think that, objectively they are more attractive than the tight jeans and leggings and other things that are currently en vogue), but I am an advocate for dressing appropriately according to the situation. For example, a swim suit is appropriate for swimming, lifeguarding etc, casual clothes are appropriate for casual activities, work clothes are appropriate for work, dress clothes are appropriate for Mass, etc.

If we use our good judgment in each situation, I don’t think there should be a problem worrying about the eyes of other people. Modesty isn’t a bright-line rule that we have to grap a ruler to verify, but instead it is something that is ingrained in us through proper education and common sense.

Well done! I think you answered this question perfectly Its a personal conviction I think Something to take up with the spouse, church, and the Lord.

 

[Shin]

Exceptions to rules are just that, exceptional situations that do not determine the moral standards.

St. Joan of Arc is one of those situations. A house on fire is another. Being pursued by Nazis is another.

But the moral norm is to wear clothing fitting to your gender.

 

[adstrinity]

Exceptions to rules are just that, exceptional situations that do not determine the moral standards.

St. Joan of Arc is one of those situations. A house on fire is another. Being pursued by Nazis is another.

But the moral norm is to wear clothing fitting to your gender.

And in America, it is moral for women to wear pants, slacks, skirts, dresses, jeans, & shorts.

 

[Shin]

Fortunately or unfortunately enough God’s morality is often not America’s morality.

Many fashions offend… . And many people think that by acting like everyone else they are excused, when they are not. Christians are not in fact, to look like everyone else.

 

[RoyJr]

I was sitting with the congregation at Holy Mass for the Saturday vigil this past weekend (I am usually directing the choir & sit near the altar) & I noticed that one of the women that presented th gifts during the offertory was wearing a open back sun dress with spaghetti straps, the other woman was bringing the wine and was at the same time guiding her child (a girl) who was bringing the collection. Our pastor received the gifts & handed them to the “altar GIRLS”, not to mention that the choir for the vigil is an all woman’s choir & the lector for both readings was a woman & I thought…What has happened in the Church?

Are we not in violation of the teachings of Sacred Scripture, namely 1 Corithian 14:34?

FYI: I will email this same concern to my pastor.

 

[Moscati]

I was sitting with the congregation at Holy Mass for the Saturday vigil this past weekend (I am usually directing the choir & sit near the altar) & I noticed that one of the women that presented th gifts during the offertory was wearing a open back sun dress with spaghetti straps, the other woman was bringing the wine and was at the same time guiding her child (a girl) who was bringing the collection. Our pastor received the gifts & handed them to the “altar GIRLS”, not to mention that the choir for the vigil is an all woman’s choir & the lector for both readings was a woman & I thought…What has happened in the Church?

Are we not in violation of the teachings of Sacred Scripture, namely 1 Corithian 14:34?

FYI: I will email this same concern to my pastor.

Those ministries are volunteer. Perhaps the men in your parish need to step up? (And I’m curious–do you allow women in your choir?)

 

[mellowcalico]

I was sitting with the congregation at Holy Mass for the Saturday vigil this past weekend (I am usually directing the choir & sit near the altar) & I noticed that one of the women that presented th gifts during the offertory was wearing a open back sun dress with spaghetti straps, the other woman was bringing the wine and was at the same time guiding her child (a girl) who was bringing the collection. Our pastor received the gifts & handed them to the “altar GIRLS”, not to mention that the choir for the vigil is an all woman’s choir & the lector for both readings was a woman & I thought…What has happened in the Church?

Are we not in violation of the teachings of Sacred Scripture, namely 1 Corithian 14:34?

FYI: I will email this same concern to my pastor.

It’s an interesting question. I did some reading on 1 Corithians 14:34 and it seems some people think Paul was talking mainly about a local issue (in regards to women talking in Church in that place at that time in history) while others see it as a universal “law” if you will based on the old Covenant.

But looking at it, one would have to wonder why God would allow women Saints, including our own Blessed Mother, to preach and talk to his flock if the intention is that no woman should ever speak or participate in Mass.

I would also ask, which is better. That a woman (or in the case of alter girls, a girl) perform these duties or that they aren’t done at all. As Moscati said, maybe the men of your Parish should volunteer.

 

[adstrinity]

Fortunately or unfortunately enough God’s morality is often not America’s morality.

Many fashions offend… . And many people think that by acting like everyone else they are excused, when they are not. Christians are not in fact, to look like everyone else.

And fortunately, God’s morality is enforced at the Vatican, where women are allowed to wear pants, and encouraged to wear them as short as capris.

Clearly, if God found women in pants offensive, especially out in public, in Rome, the very heart of His Church, there would be something said about it.

Fortunately, God does not find pants on women offensive and the Church has never said anything against females in pants.

 

[Shin]

Yes, just like when there was a choir of castratos at the Vatican, so clearly it is approved by God…

Not.

 

[adstrinity]

Yes, just like when there was a choir of castratos at the Vatican, so clearly it is approved by God…

Not.

Show me the official Church doccument, then, of the approval of mutilating boys

AND

Show me the official Church doccument, then, condeming women in pants.

Please.

 

[Rich_Olszewski]

And in America, it is moral for women to wear pants, slacks, skirts, dresses, jeans, & shorts.

And, men aren’t precluded from wearing “skirts,” like kilts, either. When I lived in Thailand, a rather hot country, men would wear patungs, for all practical purposes, a sarong. I wore one often on casual occasions to beat the heat.

 

[Rich_Olszewski]

Show me the official Church doccument, then, condeming women in pants.

Please.

LOL! Catholic women in Pakistan wear pants, when in native dress, to Mass; women in Vietnam, with a large Catholic presence, wore ao dai (pronounced au zai in NVN and ao yai in SVN) “pajamas” with a fitted blouse and long panels in front and rear. At Mass in Saigon, the poorer women just wore the “pajamas.”

 

[anonymousgal]

is new here, sheepish I just wanted to add my two cents, and umm…hopefully I don’t influence anyone badly. sweatdrop

But am I the only one who feels vulnerable wearing something like a dress or skirt? I actually would think that would attract men, and I don’t want that…though I have thought about marriage before, but umm…sounding confused here. LOL

But anyway, a dress or skirt would make me feel pretty, but I dunno, I’d get caught up in vanity, and I don’t want to attract a guy, and I’d rather not draw attention to myself, and I could admit slobbiness, so I just dress in t-shirts and jeans. And have been doing so for over 10 years (I wore dresses on and off up until I was 13).

So I dunno…if I had to wear a skirt or dress, I would, but I’d rather not. I’d rather be hidden in the crowd.

And I wanted to add this, from a conversation with my brother:

My Bro: I don’t want you to wear a dress!

Me: Because it’s sexual?

My Bro: Yes.

That’s another reason. Not that others think that way! I’m just saying. sheepish

Sorry if this post veered off the thread topic somehow. ^_^;

 

[anonymousgal]

And I came off sounding like a bubbly teenager. Sorry about that.