Head covering

[sg784]

for women.......question out genuine curiosity...Why?

Is it different for each "religion" or are the reasons basically the same?

[Tuesday]

http://thoseheadcoverings.blogspot.com/

also there is a covering tribe in this subforum you might find interesting.

I cover for medical reasons.

[Liquesce]

For the same reason I cover my belly, my elbows, my left inner thigh, or what have you. Adherence to a particular guideline for public proprieties. For me it really comes down to just being clothes, not so different from someone who won't wear tank tops in public or someone who wouldn't touch a pair thigh-hugging jeans.

A lot of ink is spilled in my religion on the spiritual significance of covering, symbol of faith and all that, but I don't really click with that line of thought very well. So I'd say that it's not only different between religions, but also within religions as well.

[Mimi]

Because I would not show someone my va-jayjay just because it's got hair growing on it. for me, my head is naked, therefor I cover it. I don't like being naked in public.

[Mimi]

also,that was absolutely not supposed to sound rude, sorry

[AutumnSunshine]

Herewearetogether: Do you uncover for your kids, other women, etc? Just curious as you likened uncovering your hair to uncovering your genitals. Not a "put you on the spot" question, just curious about your religious interpretation of headcovering. We uncover in front of family and other women, so for us I wouldn't equate my head with my private parts.

I cover, first and foremost because I believe it is required in our religion. As Liquesce said this can often be a big debate, but I firmly believe that the evidence is clear and that it is required. Many of us who believe that also believe that men have an analogous obligation to keep a beard and moustache and in some schools of thought men are believed to have an obligation to cover their heads in public too.

Those of us who do cover, regardless of what we believe about it religiously though, I think we develop our own personal ideas about the benefits of headcovering over time. So if the question is "why do I do it" then the answer would be that I believe it is religiously required. If you ask my why do I believe it is required then I would say first and foremost the evidence (i.e., what's written in the Qur'an, in Arabic) and secondly that there are many benefits to modesty in general (for both men and women)... because God doesn't make us do stuff just for no reason!

My personal benefits to headcovering are:
1) It's a type of moderation. Many people accept the ideas of moderation in eating, spending money, etc., but fewer people are familiar with the idea of moderation in clothing.
2) I like the privacy aspect of it. We have become a very exhibitionistic (is that a word?:LOL) culture and maybe have lost sight of this idea in the age of Facebook, MySpace, etc., but just like celebrities might put on a scarf and dark sunglasses to have privacy, headcovering allows me to have a kind of privacy about myself that I like. I wear a face-covering when in dh's native country and I find I like that kind of privacy (in that social environment, although NOT in the US) too.
3) I like the elegance and creativity required to dress modestly and with a headcovering. Not a deep philosophical reason, but a benefit for me
4) Again, definitely not a deep philosophical reason but the freedom to not have to worry (especially as a mom of little ones) what my hair looks like when I go out. I'm a pretty socially awkward person as it is, a bit of a geek, and fashion/etc has never been my strong point. I don't like to use "products" on myself like hair sprays, etc., I hate the smell, the stickiness (I experimented a lot with the stuff in Middle School ughhh) and I just prefer to be natural. With a hijab on I don't worry about the social condemnation that might befall me for not being allegedly "put together". KWIM?

Hope that helps!

[Bluegoat]

Originally Posted by UmmZaynab

Herewearetogether: Do you uncover for your kids, other women, etc? Just curious as you likened uncovering your hair to uncovering your genitals. Not a "put you on the spot" question, just curious about your religious interpretation of headcovering. We uncover in front of family and other women, so for us I wouldn't equate my head with my private parts.

I cover, first and foremost because I believe it is required in our religion. As Liquesce said this can often be a big debate, but I firmly believe that the evidence is clear and that it is required. Many of us who believe that also believe that men have an analogous obligation to keep a beard and moustache and in some schools of thought men are believed to have an obligation to cover their heads in public too.

Those of us who do cover, regardless of what we believe about it religiously though, I think we develop our own personal ideas about the benefits of headcovering over time. So if the question is "why do I do it" then the answer would be that I believe it is religiously required. If you ask my why do I believe it is required then I would say first and foremost the evidence (i.e., what's written in the Qur'an, in Arabic) and secondly that there are many benefits to modesty in general (for both men and women)... because God doesn't make us do stuff just for no reason!

My personal benefits to headcovering are:
1) It's a type of moderation. Many people accept the ideas of moderation in eating, spending money, etc., but fewer people are familiar with the idea of moderation in clothing.
2) I like the privacy aspect of it. We have become a very exhibitionistic (is that a word?:LOL) culture and maybe have lost sight of this idea in the age of Facebook, MySpace, etc., but just like celebrities might put on a scarf and dark sunglasses to have privacy, headcovering allows me to have a kind of privacy about myself that I like. I wear a face-covering when in dh's native country and I find I like that kind of privacy (in that social environment, although NOT in the US) too.
3) I like the elegance and creativity required to dress modestly and with a headcovering. Not a deep philosophical reason, but a benefit for me
4) Again, definitely not a deep philosophical reason but the freedom to not have to worry (especially as a mom of little ones) what my hair looks like when I go out. I'm a pretty socially awkward person as it is, a bit of a geek, and fashion/etc has never been my strong point. I don't like to use "products" on myself like hair sprays, etc., I hate the smell, the stickiness (I experimented a lot with the stuff in Middle School ughhh) and I just prefer to be natural. With a hijab on I don't worry about the social condemnation that might befall me for not being allegedly "put together". KWIM?

Hope that helps!

I am interested in the idea that men are obligated in some sense to grow a beard. I think I have a good grasp of the reasons, but I am curious about the practical side. My husband grows a terrible beard, it is all patchy on his cheeks. Pnly the chin and lip really grow in. What would a person who believed in this do in that situation?

[Mimi]

yes,i uncover at home, around my family & other women, but then i would have far less of a problem with my children or other women seeing me naked then random strangers in the street.
I do go without it sometimes, & there are lots of pictures of me without it, but when i do wear it i feel a lot more dressed, & a lot more confident & appropriate.

[Faliciagayle]

Originally Posted by sg784

for women.......question out genuine curiosity...Why?

Is it different for each "religion" or are the reasons basically the same?

religious reasons favor modesty (Jewish, Muslim, Christianity), submission (Christianity), and forgive me if I muddle this, energetic/spiritual protection (Pagan/Wiccan).

Other reasons include status (Married/Unmarried) which is the major factor in Jewish covering, medical reasons, and personal fashion.

[Mimi]

Originally Posted by Faliciagayle

Other reasons include status (Married/Unmarried) which is the major factor in Jewish covering

My husband doesn't like my headcovering very much, but i would not go as far as shaving my head to wear a wig simply to cover my head.
I do feel much more like a "proper" wife when i wear it, though. it's strange.

[AutumnSunshine]

Originally Posted by Bluegoat

I am interested in the idea that men are obligated in some sense to grow a beard. I think I have a good grasp of the reasons, but I am curious about the practical side. My husband grows a terrible beard, it is all patchy on his cheeks. Pnly the chin and lip really grow in. What would a person who believed in this do in that situation?

My dh has a similar issue. He has extensive scarring on his face from childhood illnesses and has patchy hair growth in those areas. He just trims his beard so that the areas that grow best are the ones he keeps and trims the patchy areas so he looks decent. He also keeps his beard fairly short for this reason. There are ppl who don't really grow hair at all (in China, for example) and other ppl with hair that only grows in certain places-- they just let it grow where it grows. Of course in religious communities there is always some judgement by those who don't "get" that some men's beards don't grow in as well as other men. Dh has been discriminated against for this reason in the past, having been judged as "not as religious" or "not following the rules" because of having a short, shaped beard.

[ThreeJane]

Originally Posted by herewearetogether

also,that was absolutely not supposed to sound rude, sorry

zomg I thought it was hilarious!

[Magelet]

I only cover part time. I cover because
1. I feel like I should. I feel strange when I don't cover. (Its less like my head feels naked, and more like my thoughts are constantly on the fact that I'm not wearing a headcovering, because I feel like I'm wearing a headcovering, even though I'm not. yeah, complicated, but I interpret it as G-d's way of telling me to cover up.)

2.Respect. You are treated better when you cover your hair. I've never once been made uncomfortable from men's hitting on me, whistling, staring, etc, when I'm covering my hair, even if I'm otherwise dressed somewhat less modestly, compared to when I'm not covered, even if dressed more modestly.

sort of 3. when I'm having a bad hair day and don't want to futz with it, I just put on a more covering headscarf,, and voila, no one can see my hair issues.

Really, 2 and 3 are fringe benefits. Its the I feel like G-d wants me to cover thing. (And of course, once I marry, that's even more spiritual reason, for the private holiness of a married woman's hair.)

In Judaism, its actually "weird" for me to cover since I'm not married yet. My fdh also isn't the biggest fan of the covering (theoretically. We're long distance and he hasn't actually seen me covered, who knows, he might decide he likes my hair being just for him and me ). Its my choice though.

In terms of who/when you cover, I try to cover when I go out in public. I don't mind being uncovered around other women, though I do generally cover. But if I'm dancing or swimming or something and its all women, I'll take off my covering, its too much of a PITA. If its men too, I'll generally keep trying to get it to stay in place, regardless of the fact that it is bound and determined not to. (on that issue, anyone know of good coverings that stay in play for dancing etc? lol what do you use for that?) I uncover at home, even around my future step-father, (and sister and mom and dad), because they think its strange that I cover my hair at all, and its hard to get away with it, and I haven't much felt like explaining yet. Once I go full time, perhaps I will explain. also, when I get home, I relax. If my hair covering has been falling off, I'll take it off. If my bra has been pinching, I take it off. If my pants are too tight, I'll undo the top button or change into something comfy (though I do almost always wear skirts except when safety at work says I have to wear pants.). I'll take off my shoes when I get home. I undress a bit, and thats ok. Except on the sabbath, when I generally cover in a special head covering to remind me that it is sabbath, except when I sleep.

another issue is that I don't cover all of my hairs. I cover a good portion of my head (4-6 inches at the least, usually, the entire top of my head.) A bandana, kerchief, or VERY wide cloth headband is enough (usually. sometimes I cover more)

[SaraFR]

Originally Posted by herewearetogether

My husband doesn't like my headcovering very much, but i would not go as far as shaving my head to wear a wig simply to cover my head.
I do feel much more like a "proper" wife when i wear it, though. it's strange.

There is no need to shave your head in order to wear a wig. Perhaps I am misunderstanding you.

[Mimi]

i still would not wear one, i don't know, it would feel stramge to me. i am covering my hair, why would i cover it with more hair.
i don't mean to sound ignorant,i just honestly don't understand it.

[SaraFR]

Originally Posted by herewearetogether

i still would not wear one, i don't know, it would feel stramge to me. i am covering my hair, why would i cover it with more hair.
i don't mean to sound ignorant,i just honestly don't understand it.

Some women prefer to use wigs. Some don't. Some women hold a wig is better than a cloth covering and some women hold a wig should never be used and wouldn't consider it a covering at all. It really depends where you stand on things. I personally have a wig but I don't really like wearing it so I only use it for events where it would seem out of place if I don't (such as a wedding). I personally prefer cloth such as snoods but I know others feel differently.

I was just trying to clarify the "shaving head" part.

[Mimi]

i figured it would be necessary for everyday use. i used to have a wig but it never stayed on because of my hair. (it was for a school play, so probably not what i would buy if i was going to wear it every day, though)

[SaraFR]

Some women may prefer to cut their hair shorter to better fit under a wig or hair covering (or just to be easier to care for in general)but shaving isn't necesary to cover. The type of wig you wear for everyday use is probably of a different type/quality than the type you would use for a play or other type of event. The caps under the wig and everything are made to various sizes to better fit different head and hair types.

That being said, there is nothing saying you need to wear a wig or need to want to wear a wig (if that makes sense).

[Chavelamomela]

I cover my hair with all dif't types of coverings - hats, scarves, wigs (I hate snoods...my personal preference) - and I have at times had VERY long hair that I am able to fit comfortably under a wig or hat - it's a matter of having the wig fit properly (which you'd make sure it does if you're using it frequently, and not just for a one-time use) and using the right clips (I use the big 'goody' brand clips in a way that makes my hair 'flat' underneath and doesn't make any bumps under the wig.

There is a small minority within the Orthodox Jewish community that shaves their head, but it's for a completely dif't reason and not related at all to wearing a wig - in fact, some who do shave only wear scarves. Again, this is a very small minority and not at all an aspect of the mitzvah of covering hair.

[smeisnotapirate]

I would totally cover with a wig if I could afford a good one. Right now I'm a snood gal. I cover because of tznius, the modesty guidelines in Judaism.

DH had a patchy, awful beard. He just let it grow until it grew in. It always does, eventually.