Posted on 08/15/2016 6:54:47 AM PDT by Salvation
One of the less edifying aspects of the Summer Olympics in Rio is the attire of the women’s beach volleyball players from Western countries. Most of the women wear a tiny bikini with the bottom being especially tiny. (I do not show a picture here because I deem it immodest to do so. Instead, I show a picture of some of the men, whose attire I mention below.)
Frankly, playing volleyball in a tiny bikini seems quite unnecessary. I would argue that it detracts from the sport because it distracts from the sport. The attention doesn’t seem to be drawn to the ball, shall we say. I would further argue that the attire encourages the focus not even on the women, but on certain aspects of the women’s bodies.
I can understand that swimmers (male and female) wear tight and sometimes abbreviated swimsuits to lessen drag in the water. Gymnasts, too, often wear brief and/or tight clothing to improve their performance and maximize the mobility of their limbs. The clothing is thus at least somewhat performance related.
But I can see no performance enhancement brought about by the wearing of tiny bikinis. Some will point out that the bikini top in question acts as a sports bra. Fine, but men wear supportive attire, too; but they do so under their shorts, not out in the open.
The Egyptian women’s beach volleyball player shown in the above photo illustrates that it is possible to compete quite well without wearing a bikini. One could argue that having short sleeves and shorter leg coverings might be cooler for the players. The impact on performance of wearing the hijab is debatable, but it is worn tucked in and did not seem to bother the women who wore it. These women played and competed well in a sport that is relatively new to their country and region.
Men’s beach volleyball attire also illustrates that near nudity is not required to play the sport well. The men do not play wearing tiny swimwear. They wear ample shorts along with t-shirts or tank tops.
I realize that each time the question of modesty has come up on this blog there are some readers who want to dismiss such discussions and emphasize the right of people to dress as they please. They believe that any sexual temptation aroused is almost wholly the fault of the viewer, not the one wearing the attire.
Modesty should avoid excessively burdening people. It seeks a middle ground wherein the one who dresses and the other who sees share responsibility. The one wearing the attire should not be burdened with difficult requirements, nor should the viewer be burdened by facing undue temptation. Mutual charity and concern are the goals.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks of modesty as protecting the mystery, chastity, and dignity of the human person.
Modesty protects the mystery of persons and their love. … Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden. It is ordered to chastity to whose sensitivity it bears witness. … Modesty is decency. It inspires one’s choice of clothing. It keeps silence or reserve where there is evident risk of unhealthy curiosity. It is discreet (CCC 2521-2522).
As always, comments are appreciated, but I have found in the past that discussions about modesty are often difficult to have in a way that is helpful or charitable. Reasonable people may differ on the details of modesty. Modesty does involve a range of options, influenced by circumstances and the sensibilities of cultures. I have articulated here that I see no need for tiny bikinis in this sport and that I think more modest attire is important. If you disagree, please explain the relationship you see of the brief bikini to the sport, considering that men in general and women from other cultures who compete do not see the need to wear so little. If you agree, please remember in your comments that the imputation of motives to individuals is a sketchy and usually uncharitable thing to do. Everyone, please use care when commenting.
It did start there. And what is really amazing is to go to Copacabana beach and watch them playing WITH THEIR FEET!!! Yes, like soccer. They are not allowed to TOUCH the ball with their hands. It is amazing to watch. I was watching about 4 “nets” and three of them were doing the “soccer vollyball thing.”
Do you suppose the gals wearing long sleeves are Muslim-lovers?
the skimpy outfits are all about drawing a crowd and have nothing to do with the volleyball. When this started being a “thing” there were American women volleyball players who complained. They didn’t want to wear swimsuits while they played. They lost the argument.
A few years ago, I bought my daughter beach “volleyball shorts” and they were like the guy’s shorts. They still sell those kind of shorts, I think. I think the Olympians should be able to wear them, if they want to. They won’t get sweaty in the wrong places, and no chafing. And they won’t be looking quite as much like athletic Barbie dolls.
1. We do not command the world to meet Christian standards. The early church isn't on record dictating to society what they should do and how they should do it. They saved souls by sharing the Gospel that saves.2. This is a game played on the beach in swim attire. What they are wearing is what you see on the beach - though some beaches have less.
3. If a contestant has concerns about modesty, they can not participate or claim to be a muslim and wear different gear - or appeal to the Olympic Volleyball Committee.
Arch... Pope simply made some assumptions - apparently while he watched beach volleyball! Wonder how many sets it took to formulate his thoughts?
Just a tempest in a very hot and dry teapot.
There is a clear demarcation between Christ’s people and others on this thread.
They have my vote for sexier than bikini clad.
It’s 99 to 100plus here and my brain is frying. Actually in hot sun it’s cooler to have some loose white or pale clothing than expose a lot of skin. But anyway....
I think it’s interesting that not many on the thread are addressing the real point, which is simply, is modesty a virtue or a bad thing, in general?
So many do exactly what I was thinking they would do, making a black and white “tiny bikiinis or burkas” thing out of it.
The principle is what insterests me.
If you think that dressing like it’s the middle of Autumn when you are playing a sport in warm weather doesn’t impede you ability to succeed in the sport you are ignorant.
Swimmers wear as little as possible to eliminate water drag. Why do you think that is?
Good posts I agree!!!
This had enough prime-time exposure (double entendre intended) to make comment worthwhile. Plus, it gives the church leadership a break from supporting left-wing causes and peddling false doctrines, so taking a biblical position on something is a welcome change.
( ... Instead, I show a picture of some of the men...)Oh gee, I wonder why?
You are correct. If he had just written an article saying the American volleyball players might think about covering up a bit more, this thread would have had 10 reposes.
Instead he had to drag in his admiration of the covered from head to toe Egyptian players (and notice only their women athletes are covered from head to toe) who dress like this because women are under the thumb of the woman hating religion that exists in most countries ruled by Islam.
1. Suits the swimmers wear are far more substantial than the beach volleyball suits.
2. I didn't think water drag was a major issue in beach volleyball.
3. From the article: "Men’s beach volleyball attire also illustrates that near nudity is not required to play the sport well. The men do not play wearing tiny swimwear. They wear ample shorts along with t-shirts or tank tops."
Cools down pretty fast there at night.
lets go back to what the greeks wore 2500 years ago.
I know how we can make a fortune.
Tan-through Burkinis.
A whole clothing line!
Offices around the world!
I guess you missed the male swimmers. The male swimmers are down to small strip of cloth on the bottom.
Maybe they should wear a onsie like the woman swimmers do so their chests are covered since it doesn’t difference.
I didn't see that as admiration as much as an illustration as to the extreme that was possible while still competing successfully. I thought that it was his weakest point, and my guess is he stretched the definition of "competed well" in order to make it. (They probably lost by a wide margin.)
I agree
Those little bikinis serve no discernable purpose save titillation.
Except that I heard the commentators remark that it was a very warm night in Rio. It was about 87 degrees.
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