Modesty Culture Part 9: Inconsistent Application of Rules
(I will resist for the time being a longer discussion of the many economic and social changes that have privileged Boomers and earlier generations at the expense of later generations – or how millennials have shown longer sexual self control than any generation in recorded history – but I will just say that all of us – Gen X, Gen Y, and Millennials – feel your contempt, and feel it strongly.)
.. The madonna / whore dichotomy.
Remember it, because you will see it in action if you pay attention.Why does this exist? Well, two reasons combine. First, the promoters of patriarchy, past and present, have well known that they had plenty to lose if women stopped focusing on serving men, and instead insisted on being equals. This was and is terrifying to many.
.. Second, even in our secular and feminist-influenced culture, the most powerful weapon that men or women have against a woman is that of slut shaming.
.. There is also a fad of books – and indeed a whole freaking organization – trying to assert “Biblical” manhood and womanhood – also known as patriarchal gender roles. These books tend to denigrate men who do housework and women who work outside the home or engage in anything resembling leadership.
.. Jessica Simpson has unfortunately become the butt of too many unkind jokes, but her story is interesting. She attempted to sign on as a Christian recording artist at the beginning of her career. She was turned down. Why?
Her breasts were too big.
She didn’t fit the “good Christian girl” look.
As the writer puts it, she eventually fou