Blogger Vows To Stop Wearing Leggings Because They Make Her An Evil Temptress”
I love yoga pants. They are comfortable and flattering. My wardrobe decisions reflect my personal comfort and to that end, I wear them almost daily. However, I seem to have forgotten something very important. The men. And their boners. That is why I stopped in my tracks when I saw a blog post from Veronica Partridge about the evils of tight pants. You see, God put the question on her heart and she realized- her booty in those leggings was tempting the menfolk and making them look at her the wrong way. Yet another woman suggesting we are responsible for men and their self control. God, I have enough on my plate as a busy working mom– I don’t need to worry about everyone’s boners too!
Veronica, a Christian farmer’s wife, wrote about her vow to end her relationship with those naughty Sex Pants earlier this month and it went viral. Here we go, and if you have eaten recently, I apologize- it’s pretty barfy:
For the past several months, I have been having a conviction weighing heavy on my heart. I tried ignoring it for as long as I could until one day a conversation came up amongst myself and a few others (both men and women). The conversation was about leggings and how when women wear them it creates a stronger attraction for a man to look at a woman’s body and may cause them to think lustful thoughts. God really changed my heart in the midst of that conversation and instead of ignoring my convictions, I figured it was time I start listening to them and take action.
Deep breaths. Ok. First of all, why just leggings? What about shorts? Or, tight jeans, like the ones she is sporting in a photo on her blog? What about shirts that show a bit of cleavage, which she is also wearing in a photo on her blog? What about bathing suits? It seems really random to zero in on my precious leggings and all I can think is that she knew it might cause a stir in the mommy world. Or, she is a total moron and not realizing how many other items of women’s clothing can cause men to stumble. She is being short-sighted singling out yoga pants, really.
Real talk for a minute- I know I am being silly and that’s because this is a little ridiculous but there is also a very dangerous side to this notion. Which is, of course, the idea that men cannot control their gaze or their lust on their own. This is the very fuel of rape culture– to suggest that the way a woman dresses can cause a man to rape her and for him to be able to blame her mode of dress on his inability to control his dick. Little Veronica thinks she is being a sweet, Christian wife protecting the world’s men from her accentuated, leggings-clad butt but what she’s really doing is damaging the case for women everywhere. She is justifying every cop who’s interviewed a rape victim and asked “what were you wearing when you were attacked?” She is taking away responsibility from the men and putting it squarely on the shoulders of women and it’s so very wrong.
Moving on, she consulted with her husband who confirmed for her that yoga pants are basically from hell:
I went home later that day and shared the convictions I was having with my husband. Was it possible my wearing leggings could cause a man, other than my husband, to think lustfully about my body? I asked my husband his thoughts on the matter when he got home. I appreciated his honesty when he told me, ”yeah, when I walk into a place and there are women wearing yoga pants everywhere, it’s hard to not look. I try not to, but it’s not easy.”
Wow, dude. Maybe since you guys live on a farm and all, your wifey should fit you with a set of horse blinders since it’s so difficult for you to resist looking at other women’s asses. And as an aside, is it really that big of a deal for a man to have eyes and notice an attractive woman? It seems to be a distinctly fundamental Christian thing to connect simply noticing a woman looks good with temptation and the possibility of anything beyond a glance. Grown adults are capable of looking at each other without it ruining their marriages or making them rape someone. This idea gives men such little credit and they should feel insulted.
And then, she came out with this gem and my head nearly exploded:
If it is difficult for my husband who loves, honors, and respects me to keep his eyes focused ahead, then how much more difficult could it be for a man that may not have the same self-control? Sure, if a man wants to look, they are going to look, but why entice them? Is it possible that the thin, form-fitting yoga pants or leggings could make a married (or single) man look at a woman in a way he should only look at his wife?
Why entice them? Gee, I had no idea that is what I was doing. Maybe I should just wear a caftan every day. I mean, yoga pants are surely not the only thing in my wardrobe that might cause her husband to stray. God, this makes me sick.
She closes out with this eye-rolling passage:
I also want to set the best example of how to dress for my daughter. I want her to know, her value is not in the way her body looks or how she dresses, but in the character and personality God has given her.
Right. My daughter’s value is definitely not in the way her body looks or how she dresses. So, I refuse to teach her that if she wears tight leggings one day that she is somehow devalued, which is pretty much what Partridge’s phrasing suggests. I will be teaching her that she should wear what makes her feel good about herself and to not dress with men in mind- their preferences nor what might make them think dirty thoughts. It is about time we put the ball in the men’s court. It is up to them to control themselves and treat women with respect- whether they are wearing a Burka or a bikini. Stop holding women responsible.
(Image: Shutterstock)