(June 26, 2013 at 8:26 am)thesummerqueen Wrote: The burqa isn't necessarily to "other" the woman, although it produces that effect, but to keep men from lusting after her by hiding her shape.
While the intended purpose is to "protect" women from lustful men, I'd say it does "other" women. It others them in their society, or actually it others women who do not conform to this standard. It others the women when they are visiting or living in a different society as well. No matter the motivation, the end result is it separates these women from more moderate women within their cultures, from men, and also shapes how people within and without their culture interact with and perceive them. I'd say that within Islamic culture this is part of the desire for women to wear the burqa, it keeps women isolated and subservient.
