I came across this very interesting survey while browsing the
Rebelution blog site. It really caught my interest, since it's survey responses are by guys
to girls, on the topic of modesty. I would encourage you to check out
the link, and see the responses for yourself!
They covered questions about
- Layering clothes
- Skirts/Dresses
- Shirts
- Swimsuits
- Posture/Attitude
and more. Each category has a series of questions that the guys could rate: Disagree, Agree, Netural, Highly Agree, or Highly Disagree. You can see the responses in graph form, and then some added comments at the bottom.
Here are some of the Questions, Answers, and Comments from the survey:
Q. Despite rampant immodesty all around us, girls who choose to dress modestly do make a difference.
A. I don't have to drop my eyes when I see a modestly dressed girl. I can look at her and say. "Wow, she looks nice." Instead of having to look at the ground or the ceiling.
A. Not only that, but their courage inspires me to be pure.
A.If only there were more!
Other comments by the men/boys (quite a range of ages)
If there is one immodestly dressed woman in a room of 50 women and 10 men, I'm guessing that within one minute of her entering the room, almost all of the men know exactly where she is.
Men are vision-oriented. We may not remember what you wore exactly, but we do remeber how you looked.
A modestly dressed girl can still be a stumbling block because of her attitude and behavior.
In high school, the place of greatest temptation toward lust was my church. Girls wore things to church that they thought were fashionable and dressy, but they would not have passed the dress code at my public high school. Church should NEVER be a guy's greatest source of temptation, in any way. Please, be especially careful when picking out your dress clothes for church, and make sure they are modest when sitting and kneeling (if you kneel in church), not just standing in front of the mirror.
Sisters in Christ, you really have no concept of the struggles that guys face on a daily basis. Please, please, please take a higher standard in the ways you dress. True, we men are responsible for our thoughts and actions before the Lord, but it is such a blessing when we know that we can spend time with our sisters in Christ, enjoying their fellowship without having to constantly be on guard against ungodly thoughts brought about by the inappropriate ways they sometimes dress.
I remember, at one point, I was feeling rather "frumpy" and out of date (I guess I was about in 8th grade). I felt bad that, in order to be modest, I couldn't be "in style." And that's when it hit me....I was simply thinking of "in style" as the shopping center/junior misses section of the clothing department. I had pre-determined what "style" was!
All of a sudden, I realized, there were all sorts of "styles," Preppy, Chic, Black & White, Jr. High, Outdoors, Jazz, Classic, etc! I simply needed to choose which "style" would fit me.
I realized, that if I wanted to dress chic, I defintely would have a hard time being modest, at lest with what I saw on the store shelves! But, if I could find something that was generally more modest, I could still "keep up" with being current by simply making wise choices.
At that point, I made a decision. I realized modesty was something important to me, and that I wanted to make it a habit. I also realized I could still dress nicely and be modest. Hence, I started looking at outdoor cataglogues for hiking gear, t-shirts, "natural" outfits etc. I realized a whole new world of clothes I hadn't really thought about before!
While this was a while ago, I still remember clearly how excited I was at firguring all that out. Now-a-days, you probably won't find me in any one particular style, and I most likely don't care from day to day what I really wear. :) But it's something to keep in mind at least!
After reading this survey, I realize there are always areas I can improve on. I know there are a few "favorite" shirts and skirts I still have in my closet that I've hung onto for, oh, I suppose, sentimental reasons. There is really no way that I can 1) still fit in them or 2) have reason to wear them, so I know I should go through my closets again.
I also realize, that my efforts and attitudes should work at cultivating a beautiful spirit inside. Do I have a humble attitude? Am I easy to approach or be friends with? Do I allow myself to get caught in self-pity, worry, or guilt, instead of focusing on Christ? Am I at peace? Do I have a thankful attitude?
I pray that I will continue to grow! And you too!
"Therefore let your light shine before all men, so that they may...praise your Father in heaven!" Matthew 5:16
God bless,
Emily