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.
Now you’re just babbling.
You have no point.
The good Msgr. made the point that there is considerable room for modesty in American beach volleyball costumes.
Your real problem is that you’re afraid modesty will interfere with your voyeuristic meat-gazing, but you lack the courage to come out and say what you mean.
The one on the Left is a Tramp.
“No, it doesn’t. It’s impossible to imagine that a person in your position is unaware that he is lying.”
Your lack of imagination does nothing to convince me that you, and the original author are both in the wrong on this one.
I’ll say it again, it was a very poor choice of an example and the fact the author chose it anyways makes me wonder what underlying motives drove him to use such a horrible example...
I’m a woman and I’m not gazing. But it seems the good Msgr was.
ROFL
I am an admirer of God’s creations and I stand with the meat gazers. Put me down for yes.
Thanks for the LOL. Sometimes it’s better than banging your head on a desk.
Actually that’s an argument for more attire, especially bottoms, than less.
teeny bikini == sandy *****
As for beach volleyball, NO, it's to keep the sand out of their nether regions........the less clothing, the less sand to accumulate and chafe.......
The bikinis in WBV are nothing more than one would see on any beach or boat in any marina.......Some folks need to lighten up and join the 21st Century.....
As a side note, there is no restriction on what the women can wear and they're wearing what is the most comfortable for them in the sand.
Offering a disclaimer, if there were teams of 250 lb. + porkers squeezed into those bikinis then yes, I would object............LOL!
“The good Msgr. made the point that there is considerable room for modesty in American beach volleyball costumes.”
If that had been the only point made and if that one point had been made better... I might have sided with you.
Good intentions on one point do not make up for poor execution in others.
“I am not surprised that beach volleyball, the uniforms are deemed to be a modesty issue. I think the sport started if I am not mistaken, on the beaches of Brazil itself. If I am wrong correct please. Thank-you! God Bless.”
Actually started in Hawaii and flourishes in SoCal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_volleyball
The puritans can simply stay away from these events. They are advertised and the places where they are played are well known.
OTOH the athleticism of the girls is inspiring to females, as my wife and my daughter assure me.
They don't have a certain crevice that would become uncomfortable with sand........
Kidding aside, who cares?
No, they’re not. That is a falsehood.
Change the channel
High Five!
*******************
And yet you show us a pic of the diving team.
Fail.
So, you’re not concerned about religion. No problem.
I can’t believe that you’re a woman.
You consider the above statement an insult? Really? Let me guess, you don't like the tone. It is obvious Citizens of Western Civilizaton need to worry more about the spread of Sharia Law in the West and how it hurts, maims, rapes and murders women living here in Western Countries. Msgr. Pope needs set his priorities because Christians are being murdered, raped, and are sold as sex slaves all over the world. But it pleases you that he comments on the lack of "modesty" of the Volley Ball Teams of the Western Countries. OK, so be it.
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