Abstract

This Paper explores the justifications for regulating modesty-related practices in liberal societies and uses two examples of modesty-related practices— the practice of wearing the hijab and the practice of separating men and women in buses—in order to demonstrate that modesty-related practices often rest on different rationales. Some of these rationales are oppressive and discriminatory while other are benign or even autonomy-enhancing. The multiplicity of meanings associated with modesty-related practices is a challenge to the policy maker. The Paper proposes that sometimes it is possible to transform the social meaning of modesty-related practices without transforming the practices themselves.

Recommended Citation

Harel, Alon (2007) "Regulating Modesty-Related Practices," Law & Ethics of Human Rights: Vol. 1 : Iss. 1, Article 7.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/lehr/vol1/iss1/art7