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.
Turn the channel or turn it off.
I agree that the outfits should cover more skin. I am also disappointed that the female track athletes are wearing low-rise, bikini-style shorts and crop tops. It seems like shorts with a higher waist would be more comfortable, if not for modesty reasons, IMHO.
Ratings. It’s all about ratings.
I see. So you bear no responsibility to the consequences of said exhibitionism in the subjective response of the viewer? Concupiscence is fully the viewer's fault?
Nice straw man you have there.
If the truth is a straw man to you, so be it.
The "Catholic Church" is not "weighing in" on anything. This is Msgr. Pope's personal blog, which his own thoughts. Or are you saying he has no right to express an opinion?
Check out the swimsuits worn by divers and sync-swimmers. Almost bottomless.
You called Msgr. Pope an idiot, and I called you on it. You responded with an irrelevant fact, and I called you on it.
Game, set, match.
Father is correct, as usual. But there are so many, even among conservatives, who think modesty is old-fashioned. I wish, however, he had left out the comparison to the muzzard women.
I, for one, cannot imagine how those women play volleyball in those tiny bikinis. I would be afraid of losing my drawers every time I extended my body.
They are both California girls who grew up on the beach. IF you watch the matches they are so intense they don’t give a thought to what they wear. AS ALWAYS, if you don’t like what you see TURN THE CHANNEL.
The time for your complaint was at the onset of the sport and not now. Your arguments at this late date cite the example of EGYPTIAN females as being properly attired. Obviously you side with the Moslem cover up with regard to women and pay no attention to the FACT that Bikini’s have been the accepted attire since the inception of the sport!Secondly, playing in hot sand, and the effect of sand on certain parts of the body when it gets into your clothes is VERY uncomfortable. The playing field is SAND as in on a beach and it is easy to brush off sand from the ski, but not to get it out from under clothing.
Inferring that women’s beach volley ball is indecent is a real stretch. The original Olympic Games were played in the NUDE!
What does Monsignor Lazmataz have to say about this ?
Why don’t the men wear Speedos, then?
There is debate about where it started — SoCal, Australia, and Brazil all have legit cases to be made.
Why don’t the men wear Speedos, then?
Pope is a Muslim lover! He thinks American women should follow the example of Muslims in their dress. I wonder just how far he thinks Sharia Law should apply to American and/or WESTERN WOMEN? He speaks only for himself when it comes to claiming bikinis are indecent. If he thinks that is so, he doesn’t need to watch the game!
From volleyball.org:
Early 1920s
Most accounts place the sport’s origin in Santa Monica, California,
where the first Volleyball courts were put up on the beach
at the Playground (Santa Monica).
Families played 6 vs. 6.
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