Religion, Dress and the Body (Dress, Body, Culture)

Religions constrain the bodies of their members through dress. In many cases, dress immediately identifies a member of the community to the outside world and separates them from a society that members believe is threatened by evil forces. Dress identifies the wearer's community to other groups and communities, and may also reflect one's status. Most interestingly, perhaps, dress is a measure of one's level of commitment to the community. While communities vary greatly in terms of what is permissible, strict conformity to internal codes invariably is interpreted as a sign of piety, whereas deviation implies at best self-indulgence and at worst contempt for community values. In order to control sexuality, women's bodies in particular are constrained in religious communities in terms of emotional expression, diet, and especially dress. This book investigates dress in American religious communities as a vital component of the social control of cultures, and also examines how people express themselves despite religious constraints. Gender issues feature prominently since the control of female sexuality within religious communities is a matter of vital concern to its members. Drawing on rich ethnographic case studies, this wide-ranging and interdisciplinary represents a major contribution to the study of both religion and dress. This Book Investigates Dress In American Religious Communities As A Vital Component Of The Social Control Of Cultures, And Also Examines How People Express Themselves Despite Religious Constraints. Gender Issues Feature Prominently Since The Control Of Female Sexuality Within Religious Communities Is A Matter Of Vital Concern To Members. Drawing On Rich Ethnographic Case Studies, This Wide-ranging And Interdisciplinary Book Represents A Major Contribution To The Study Of Both Religion And Dress.--jacket. Dress And The Social Control Of The Body / Linda B. Arthur -- The Social Control Of Women's Bodies In Two Mennonite Communities / Beth Graybill And Linda B. Arthur -- Sacred Dress, Public Worlds : Amish And Mormon Experiences And Commitment / Jean A. Hamilton And Jana Hawley -- The Polynesian Cultural Center And The Mormon Image Of The Body : Images Of Paradise On Laie, Hawai'i / Frank Salamone -- The Obedient And Disobedient Daughters Of The Church : Strangite Mormon Dress As A Mode Of Control / Gayle Veronica Fischer -- Dress And Interaction In Contending Cultures / Sandra Lee Evenson And David J. Trayte -- The African American Church, Its Sacred Cosmos, And Dress / Gwendolyn S. O'neal -- Fashion And Identity Of Women Religious / Susan O. Michelman -- The Paarda Expression Of Hejaab Among Afghan Women In A Non-muslim Community / M. Catherine Daly -- Hasidic Women's Head-coverings : A Feminized System Of Hasidic Distinction / Barbara Goldman Carrel -- Jewish Genes, Jewish Jeans : A Fashionable Body / Karen Anijar. [edited By] Linda B. Arthur. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.