Would you consider the hijab/burqa degrading to women and why?

[mr_j936]

Not all women are forced to wear it, some choose to, even in societies that frown upon it like in the west. But yes I do find it offensive. I have argued this many times with muslims before. In teaching women about the veils, muslims give the example about the covered candy that men choose to buy according to them, and the uncovered candy that flies land on and gets abused. Even they objectify the women in their teachings and examples about this.

Also covered muslim women seem to think all uncovered women are whores. I keep hearing muslims refer to christian women as whores just because they don't like big black garbage bags. They don't talk about atheist women because if they ever meet one they just kill her  the whole practice is an insult to everyone, men women, muslims and non muslims.

[paulpablo]

Personally I believe so, to me the hijab is a symbol of subservience to male domination (and no I'm not a feminist before any MRAs attack me) in societies where women are seen as nothing more as conduits for sexual relief that men are entitled to. Women in such societies are taught to believe that revealing their body to anybody with the exception of close family members and their husbands is shameful and that covering it up to strangers and outsiders is modest and acceptable. It is an atavistic practice which in my opinion should have died out during the 20th century. Same with the burqa.

Whether or not it's degrading to women is dependant upon how woman feel about this item of clothing.

[Dystopia]

I think there's a distinction between burqa and hijab - The Burqa covers all the face and can potential cause a lot of health and security problems.

As for the hijab, I'm indifferent to ti - I think it is wrong to wear it just to please Allah, but if women want to wear it I'm fine with it. One thing many westerns ignore so often is that being a woman, specially if you are pretty, can mean being hit on, catcalled and harassed frequently, stared by men, etc - For some women, simply covering part of their heads or wearing larger clothing fixes this and I don't see anything wrong with it. I think part of the problem with any headscarf, regardless of religion, is that we live in a society where women are supposed to be pretty and look good, and those who wear that kinda challenge the norm, the same way a guy wearing a skirt would challenge.

[ReptilianPeon]

Not all women are forced to wear it, some choose to, even in societies that frown upon it like in the west.

That's true, but you must surely concede that in certain circles, especially where there is lots of Saudi money corrupting people, there is pressure to 'fit in'. There's a choice and then there's a choice. I think a lot of pressure is put on some women, but because these people didn't force it upon the woman they can easily say: "Well nobody actually 'forced' her to wear this thing".

[Anomalocaris]

why the control over only women tho? Why not make men wear goggles?  Or blinders?  Or oven mitts?  Why send the message to women that exposing their faces and hair is just too tempting for men so they must be the responsible party and cover up?  Why insinuate to men that they are lustful monsters who can't control themselves?

Because that would be weird(er)?

Less weird than thinking there is anything divine to help you by suppressing others, when you can't help yourself. Pathetic.

[Mystic]

I wonder if Hijaab is really degrading when 4 women convert to Islam for every 1 man.

Maybe those converts saw it as something else.

Something to think about it.

[Minimalist]

why the control over only women tho? Why not make men wear goggles?  Or blinders?  Or oven mitts?  Why send the message to women that exposing their faces and hair is just too tempting for men so they must be the responsible party and cover up?  Why insinuate to men that they are lustful monsters who can't control themselves?

Because that would be weird(er)?

You've got to be kidding, MK. 

The answer is because men wrote the silly book, in case you were wondering.

[Clueless Morgan]

why the control over only women tho? Why not make men wear goggles?  Or blinders?  Or oven mitts?  Why send the message to women that exposing their faces and hair is just too tempting for men so they must be the responsible party and cover up?  Why insinuate to men that they are lustful monsters who can't control themselves?

Because that would be weird(er)?

I hope you're joking.  Whether something is weird or not should never be used as a justification for foisting sexist ideology onto people.

Not all women are forced to wear it, some choose to, even in societies that frown upon it like in the west.

That's true, but you must surely concede that in certain circles, especially where there is lots of Saudi money corrupting people, there is pressure to 'fit in'. There's a choice and then there's a choice. I think a lot of pressure is put on some women, but because these people didn't force it upon the woman they can easily say: "Well nobody actually 'forced' her to wear this thing".

I had a friend in high school whose family was muslim and she wore a hijab.  I never asked her if it was her choice, freely made, to wear it but I surmised later on that it wasn't because the instant she moved away from home for college she stopped wearing it.

Saying that "women aren't forced to wear it" insinuates that it is always their choice, freely made, to wear the hijab or burka and that is simply not the case.  In the west, there can be cultural or familial pressure to wear it. In many cases, more so in the middle east than in the west, the choice to wear a hijab can be a choice between whether they have a place to live or not, or whether they are beaten or not.

As MrNoMorePropaganda said, there's a "choice, and then there's a choice.

[CapnAwesome]

I think if you look at high divorce rates in some societies and some of the high cheating rates in some countries, I think from that perspective, these type of rules aimed at preventing the stuff that leads up to the cheating is important.  

Plus in the past, you couldn't even DNA test who your father was. So this whole emphasis on these aspects of society I think has a wisdom.

Naturally I don't think showing your hair is immodest but I think there is a wisdom, that, now with time, is becoming more and more manifest to some of us in applying these rules.

Or you can believe your husband and wife will be faithful with 30%-60% cheat rate in US for example. 2-3% of children are believed to product of infidelity.

Studies also show serial monogamy is very hard (not impossible to do). So I would say divine help regarding this matter is welcomed.

In many Islamic societies it's nearly impossible for a woman to get a divorce and a man can divorce just by declaring it 3 times. The hijab is the tip of the problem.

[mr_j936]

Because that would be weird(er)?

I hope you're joking.  Whether something is weird or not should never be used as a justification for foisting sexist ideology onto people.

That's true, but you must surely concede that in certain circles, especially where there is lots of Saudi money corrupting people, there is pressure to 'fit in'. There's a choice and then there's a choice. I think a lot of pressure is put on some women, but because these people didn't force it upon the woman they can easily say: "Well nobody actually 'forced' her to wear this thing".

I had a friend in high school whose family was muslim and she wore a hijab.  I never asked her if it was her choice, freely made, to wear it but I surmised later on that it wasn't because the instant she moved away from home for college she stopped wearing it.

Saying that "women aren't forced to wear it" insinuates that it is always their choice, freely made, to wear the hijab or burka and that is simply not the case.  In the west, there can be cultural or familial pressure to wear it.  In many cases, more so in the middle east than in the west, the choice to wear a hijab can be a choice between whether they have a place to live or not, or whether they are beaten or not.

As MrNoMorePropaganda said, there's a "choice, and then there's a choice.

The key word is not all. 

I know atheist women who wear it because they have to. It's perhaps so worst thing ever.