maybe modesty policing isn't all up to women after all

[merchimerch]

I found this article really interesting:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7260314.stm

Just yesterday I was hemming and hawing/commenting in densaer's LJ that women are almost always the ones on whom the onus falls to keep men's sexuality at bay.

The universe decided to dish up some humility for me this morning with my porridge, since as I was reading the headlines, I came across the above article. 57 men are being investigated in Saudi Arabia for wearing indecent clothing, leering at women, and flirting, in the shopping areas around Mecca.

Now don't get me wrong, I think it is too bad that the laws and cultural mores in some places keep men and women from interacting in playful ways. However, if cultural norms state that men and women are supposed to be modest and not act in an untoward manner with one another, then it is refreshing to see/hear about these norms being enforced on men, not just women, for a change.

Comments

[merchimerch.livejournal.com]

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not tauting Saudi as a new feminist haven. The burden of modesty and sexual morality is still very much on women. It's just interesting to see an example of some equity. I'm guessing that the men get a slap on the wrist as well.

My take on it is that the story wouldn't be news if it weren't a surprising exception.