While sitting in one of my courses (Asian Foreign Relations), my professor began to talk about the women in Saudi Arabia. There, he said, the women do not believe that they are subjected to wearing a veil by force, though it would be culturally unacceptable for them to not wear them. Rather, women wear veils to protect themselves against men who might respond to their bodies in misogynistic and sexually inappropriate ways. And while the feminist in me screams that I wish those women could feel as free as I feel I am, I can't help but wonder if they don't have a point. I have sometimes felt the degrading gaze of a disrespectful male. I have wished men wouldn't look at me (or any woman) as though they were slobbering over a finely cooked steak, the dark desires of their mind strewn across their faces. It's honestly unnerving. This idea of protection could actually hold validity, which may be why it's survived when other, more obtuse attempts at oppressing women have fallen by the way side. It is true, however, that there is evidence that might suggest this culture is in fact using veils as another way to oppress women, while hiding behind a legitimate rouse. While they may be depicted as morally superior and thus in need of protection from morally inferior men, women in the middle east are often surprised when they meet a woman of college education or higher. This mutual inferiority/superiority is not equal just because it is balanced. Nevertheless, our "free" society is not right simply because it is in opposition to this concept. How can a society where individuals are open to being objectified because of their sex ever be right? Perhaps the East is right and we have invited these evil thoughts of both men and women into our daily lives by allowing people to wear such revealing clothes and glamorizing celebrities for their sexuality. In some ways, we can all admit that the focus of beauty on complexions and figures has at least contributed to lowered self esteem and in some extreme cases: eating disorders. So, the question ultimately is: how do we allow enough of the natural sexuality of people and more importantly their divine free will, while also keeping people safe? And conversely, how do we encourage morality without divesting individuals of freedom and equality?
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