FEATURE ARTICLE:
Pretty Modest
To dress or not to dress. that is the question
    by Shellie R. Warren

As I began doing my research on what sadly appears to be a modern-day taboo, I discovered something really interesting; type the word “modesty” in virtually any search engine and what you will find are not references to fashionable magazines and pop icons. Interestingly enough, what I immediately discovered were sites on Christianity, the Islamic lifestyle and spiritual literature which embraces “virtue” and “modesty” as synonymous terms.

I decided to look a little deeper. I channel surfed for a few hours and looked for exemplary examples of modesty on the E Channel, The Style Network, MTV and BET and contrary to what I hear women my mama's age say, I saw quite a few pretty women who were reasonably covered up. Of course, it is unseasonably cold for April and although I hate to admit when my mother is right, videos like Beyonce's "Naughty Girl" and Britney's "Toxic" don't really help me in disproving the ladies of her generation.

Getting desperate, I then looked to some of the popular magazines. And darn it, wouldn't you know it? Although In Style, Essence and Teen Vogue are usually consistent when it comes to being fashionably conservative, the two pubs that are currently creating the greatest buzz are the 25th anniversary edition of Sports Illustrated (in which some women don't even have a full suit on) and Maxim's annual "Hot 100" list with Jessica Simpson, Beyonce Knowles and Christina Aguilera sitting scantily dressed at the top of the list.

So, what gives? As we all look to follow the latest trends, is modesty just not in anymore and if so, why not? And does one’s religious belief and sexuality really have anything to with one’s desire to be conventional and unpretentious? I really had my work cut out for me.

In Wendy Shalit’s 1999 release, A Return to Modesty, she shares that while we have become strikingly more open with sexuality even, and in some cases, especially with our youth, the issue of modesty is never a priority in conversation or education. She also credits what she calls the “normalization of pornography” as playing a significant role; stating that “recreational pornography” (soft-core magazines, strip clubs, etc) has shifted the perception of sex and sexuality in the lives of everyday men and women.

FamilySafeMedia.com reported that magazines and sex clubs made more than $12 billion dollars in 2003 to prove it. Seemingly, what used to be very private---sex---has become very public in more ways than one. While I would venture to say that it is difficult to have sex with your clothes on, I still decided to look deeper. After all, a lack of modesty does not mean one is engaging in sexual activity.