Indecent exposure is described by the Encarta dictionary as the act of deliberately displaying part of the body, usually the genitals, to somebody else in public.
Unfortunately, that is the situation our society has suddenly found itself. Men and women, youths, lasses and lads, young and old even children, in short, everybody is guilty of this.
As they say in the fashion world, fashion goes round. Probably, the present aim is to leave the era of modernization of covering our nakedness with clothes and return to the blind days of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when nudity was the order of the day. Or may be controversial Artist Spencer Tunick has been making secret and discreet mobilization the world over to get everyone pose for his naked artistic shots in his bid to return man and woman to the nature’s state of existence?
Because I am yet to fully grasp why a decent, virtuous and responsible woman would flauntingly display her cleavage (boobs) all in the name of fashion? Funny enough this menace is seriously getting trendy and seen virtually everywhere and in places you would think deserve a little decency, even in churches and movies that are suppose to teach morals.
Recently, Zack Orji, a Nollywood actor and former Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) in a newspaper interview condemned the level of indecent dressing among actresses in the country.
His words: “Most movies shown in recent times are capable of destroying the moral background of children as they have become the most popular movie audience. Film production must be properly checkmated before circulation because it is wrong for an actor or actress to expose his or her body to the world in the disguise of acting”. Awkwardly too, elderly women that are supposed to be the custodian of our culture and morals are not left out of this 'craze'. I just pray one day, people will not walk naked all in the name of fashion.
Ladies! Involving yourself in this show of shame would surely advertise your intent "I'm available" but in what manner? NEGATIVELY! The truth be told, no man wants to marry a lady who exposes her body to everyone she comes across and in turn inviting unnecessary attractions. Seriously, can you point out one leader or world-achiever, who is a woman that indulges in this? The truth is there is none, because they are too busy with setting and breaking records. You are a mother for God's sake, what will you teach your daughters?
Another dimension is the reign of skimpy dresses which has also taken over like wild fire in the forest. While I'm not against the female folks looking elegant, beautiful and adorable, hey, come on, there is a line you are not supposed to cross. I am not a fashion expert though, but, I guess there is a place for common sense and decency.
The most common cause of skimpy dresses can best be described as fashion blunder. Imagine trying to wear a bikini that ought to be used for swimming or picnicking to the office and many more like this. I am quite sure many of the readers of this article must have witnessed scenes such that a lady wearing a tight skimpy dress with a high-heeled shoes and unfortunately something fell off her hands to the ground.
Picking up such an item by the lady in question will soon amount to “a baby attempting to walk for the first time”. It is either she lets go of such an item if she can, else in the process of trying to pick it she will embarrassingly expose her private property to onlookers and audience that are obviously interested in how she will solve the mystery puzzle - all because she didn’t buy a dress that is long enough or instructed her tailor to manage a one yard cloth, all in the name of being ‘stylish’.
However, when indecent dressing is viewed economically, those involved in its practice often spend and waste more money on clothes. Because, in a not too distant time, most at times in a matter of weeks, such person must have outgrown, the tight, skimpy and breath-holding dress she recently bought and will soon need to go shopping again. So what is the sense in it?
The fashion craze is not only left to ladies as men too have their own share of it, particularly lads who are grossly engrossed in the latest abnormality in dressing commonly known as "sagging." Sagging is the mode of dressing where a trouser which is supposed to sit on the waist is drawn sometimes beneath the waist on the buttocks and in the process revealing bare buttocks or the underpants
When the morality question of sagging was posed in a television interview to some select youths including those in the entertainment industry, all they could attribute to sagging is: "it is the in-thing". How can abnormality suddenly become the order of the day?
A visit to places where youths gather especially higher institutions will give one the picture of the degree of acceptance of this misnomer. Though it is very common among the male youths, some lass also join in the act much to the disdain of the public. What has our society suddenly turned into? Where is the place of 'omoluabi' and home training?
Many institutions in order to curb the issue of indecent dressing have dress codes and also go the extra mile in enforcing such rules to ensure strict compliance. In contrast, some others do not see the need for clamping down on this, thus endorsing indecency directly. That adage which says "dress the way you wish to be addressed" has suddenly changed into "flaunt all you can" or "use what you have to get what you want."
According to Encarta Encyclopedia, Fashion refers to the kinds of clothing that are in a desirable style at a particular time. At different times in history, fashionable dress has taken very different forms. In modern times nearly everyone follows fashion to some extent.
Your dressing is supposed to make you comfortable, acceptable by the society and most importantly, glorify God. Whatever you wear and you know within yourself that is not befitting or good enough and could cause confusion should not be worn at all. Your clothing is supposed to bring you dignity, respect and identification.
The prime functions of clothing are to cover nakedness, protect the body from the environment, a mark of identity and a means of nonverbal communication among others. Lately, the revered man of God and General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye at a Ministers Conference condemned indecent dressing when he said: “I’m so concerned today with the manner of dressing of both ladies and guys, this new fashion of going about half-dressed. It is so bad; I even see it on some married women too.”
Adeboye went further to remind us what dresses are supposed to be, stressing that “clothes are meant for covering our nakedness.” He emphasized that the choice of what you wear absolutely depends on you. He said he knows these actions are deliberate because “you chose to wear what you’re putting on. No designer can force it on you.”
He wondered: “How can you choose to expose your body? Don’t call it fashion. It’s demonic and it’s showcasing you as one of the satanic agents of these end times. Are you a designer? Don’t allow the devil to take over your intellect, creativity, hands and scissors.”
While teachers are trying their best to inculcate morals in their students, parents should know that their influence on their children upbringing is paramount. Religious leaders are also advised not to remain silent. They should speak out on this all-important issue in order to make the society a better place for us all.
I will conclude with the words of the Greek priestess, Theano (420 BC), “put off your shame with your clothes when you go in to your husband, and put it on again when you come out.”
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