Here we go again! Don't you academics have anything better to do than to go around meddling in other people's business?

Now I'm a bloke and if I want to wear a hijab, then I bloody-well will. But I don't want to - yet. But then, if this nonsensical rubbish of a discussion keeps going on, I might just get the urge.

Simple, no ethics involved, no need to bite lip, hum or hah or worry. What people wear or don't wear is their own business. You don't have to like it, but in a multicultural, diverse society you do have to tolerate it, by law.

Move on Leslie, get over it, get a life and start doing some kind of real work instead of worrying about other people's business.

“But feminism has also taught me to look for the power. And while power struggles are constantly in play in relationships between the genders, it is the motivating thirst that rarely speaks its name in debates about the hijab.”

If the author has mixed feelings regards the hijab, then she will have to get used to seeing it more often, with many countries throughout Europe at least, expected to have predominately Muslim populations within coming decades. This includes France, and can alsoinclude the UK.

Eg.
Two factors mainly contribute to this world-shaking development.

· The hollowing out of Christianity. Europe is increasingly a post-Christian society, one with a diminishing connection to its tradition or its historic values.
· An anemic birth rate. Indigenous Europeans are dying out. Sustaining a population requires each woman on average to bear 2.1 children; in the European Union, the overall rate is a one-third short, at 1.5 per woman, and falling.

Into the void are coming Islam and Muslims. As Christianity falters, Islam is robust, assertive, and ambitious. As Europeans under-reproduce at advanced ages, Muslims do so in large numbers while young.
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=13340

A Marxist / Fminist and secular type society, (which seeks to do away with marriage, the nuclear family, religion, the word “father” etc), ultimately does not produce enough children to sustain itself, and normally it is replaced by a more conservative, and often more religious type of society.

In the case of many countries within Europe at least, they will likely become Muslim countries. Ironic in a way as many feminists do not seem to like Islamism.

Indeed Maximus: I agree to a point. But I dont agree academics should pull int here collectice heads; free speech and all that - but really, it must have been a slow day in the philsophers tea room the day Leslie knocked up this piece.

Lets have a go at nuns; now there's an oppressive habit ( habit! get it?) my aunt was a nun. I didnt know she had hair or legs until the mid seventies when her uniform changed. And priests ! lets defrock the buggers. There could be evil lurking behind all the gear they wear.

I want to hear what muslim women want - then I might give a hoot; from my understanding some wear em and some do not some are forced to and some are not - but dont tell me Islaminc dress codes are any more demeaning for example than the annual frock shock masquerading as the Brownlow night when the young trophy brides of footballers feel compelled to spend half of Malawis GDP on some rag with a name attached, or women who yearn to walk around in high heels or with a piece of dental floss up their butt

Where will this obsession with things Islamic end? Like Maximus its nearly enuff to make you slip into a burkha or even convert.

Give it a rest Leslie - having a go at muslim practices is soooo yesterday.

Leslie,
Wonderful, thoughtful and searching article as usual.
I have struggled with the same issues myself, but come to a different conclusion. In the end, if I believe that women must be free to express themselves as they see fit, to wear whatever they choose to wear, to speak, behave and do what they want (while respecting others right to do the same, of course), then I must support a woman's right to wear the hijab.
I reserve the right to disagree with them vigorously and to challenge their reasons, but I have no right to legislate against their choice, however much I personally disagree with it.
Nevertheless, I totally take your point.
Did you read "The Invisible Hijab" earlier on this site? You might like it.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Some schools outlaw haircuts, ear rings and other items which detract from the uniform, although this should not be viewed in the same light, it is a dress standard which has been enforced for many years, that as a private institution, they have the right to do.

If the school feels it is fragmenting thier dress standards, so be it. If it is not acceptable to the student, they can select another school that is more sympathetic.

As much as we all wish it, the world is not fair. Sometimes if you want to do something, such as attend a school of your liking, you have to mould with it. The standards set by this institution must be adhered to.

If a school served only pork and i was jewish for example, i would go elsewhere instead of disrespecting my values. You have a right to change to a place that embraces your values.

I am sure if there were a strong population on Muslim's in the school, the school would be more sensitive and understanding to these issues.

Schools have a right to protect their traditions. As an institution, especially a private school, they have the right.

Government schools are a different kettle of fish, they should respect all religious values and be very sensitive to this. Many people in public schools do not have this right to choose.

In summary, private schools have the right to uphold the subject dress standards, government schools do not.

Problem Solved. Next issue please.

A well-reasoned article. One about school-kids.
What adults want to do in relation to cross-dressing, public flying of cultural flags or whatever, is a different matter.
Give the kids a chance to mix on equal terms; to swap their vegemite sandwiches with others' garlic and gorgonzola or whatever. Unleash them from the divisiveness demanded by parents afraid of their children viewing the world outside the cage of their own atavism.
If parents demand such restrictions upon the education of their children, let them enrol their offspring in private schools - hopefully un-subsidised by taxpayer funding.