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Disclaimer This is an opinion-based article, and it does not apply to everyone. Different cultures, values, and personal experiences shape how people view relationships. What you are about to read reflects one perspective and is not a universal truth. Is having a boyfriend embarrassing? This question is becoming more common, especially as conversations about modern dating, relationship expectations, and cultural values continue to grow. In my opinion, yes, having a boyfriend can be embarrassing, and here is why. The word boyfriend sounds outdated and childish The first reason is the wording. The term boyfriend feels outdated and somewhat childish. When you hear it, it can sound like something from middle school or high school, where relationships are new and light. From an adult viewpoint, the label boyfriend does not always match the maturity and seriousness that many people expect in a long term relationship. Today many women want clarity and commitment, and the boyfriend title does not always reflect that. For those who value long lasting partnerships, terms like life partner or husband feel more aligned with adult relationships. As adults, temporary relationships are not something to brag about Another reason is connected to adulthood and personal development. As we get older, priorities shift toward commitment, stability, and long term goals. In the world of adult relationships, a boyfriend is often seen as temporary. While some boyfriend and girlfriend relationships evolve into marriage, many do not. This is why some women find it embarrassing to brag about having a boyfriend, especially in cultures or lifestyles that value serious commitment. When your dating life becomes part of your personal growth journey, temporary relationships lose their appeal. A boyfriend may care for you but that does not mean he sees you as his final destination Even if a boyfriend spends money on you, shows affection, or acts supportive, that does not necessarily mean he sees you as his future spouse. If a man truly views a woman as his long term partner, his actions usually reflect that level of commitment. If he has not asked you to marry him, it is fair to question why. In the world of modern relationships, many women are starting to ask this question openly. They want intentional dating, commitment focused relationships, and clarity. A boyfriend who hesitates may be enjoying the benefits of the relationship without offering long term security. Cultural perspective In my culture, the concept of a boyfriend does not exist. When we look for love, we seek someone who is serious about marriage from the very beginning. Marriage is viewed as a commitment rooted in respect and responsibility. A future spouse is expected to offer a dowry to the bride, whatever she ac cepts. This tradition symbolizes readiness and genuine intention. We do not have hookup culture or boyfriend culture because it signals a lack of commitment. If a man is serious about you, he will marry you as soon as possible. If he is not, he may use your time, take advantage of your effort, or even have children with you before telling you that you are not a good match. This is why intentional relationships, marriage focused dating, and commitment based partnerships are deeply valued. Final thoughts This is one perspective on the question of whether having a boyfriend is embarrassing. Some people appreciate the boyfriend and girlfriend stage, while others believe adult relationships should start with long term intention. Whether you prefer traditional dating, modern dating, or culturally aligned relationships, the most important thing is choosing the path that reflects your values.

Balmain Fall 2024 Ready-to-Wear What do modesty and self-respect really mean and how do they shape the way we live? Before we talk about how these two values connect, let’s start with the basics. Because if you’ve ever searched for “what is modesty” or “what is self-respect,” you’ve probably seen definitions that barely scratch the surface. This isn’t just about dictionary meanings. It’s about how these words actually play out in our lives, our faith, and the way we see ourselves. What Is Modesty? If you look it up, modesty is often defined as behavior, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency. But to me, modesty is so much more than a dress code or a social rule. Modesty is how I carry myself in the world, the way I dress, the way I communicate, and the energy I bring into every space I enter. It’s how I represent my faith, because whether I realize it or not, every time I meet someone, I reflect what I believe in. Modesty isn’t just about covering up or showing less. Even before I started dressing more conservatively, I considered myself modest. Because modesty, to me, lives in character. It’s awareness of people, of space, and of how my actions affect others. It’s treating everyone with kindness and respect, staying grounded, and choosing balance. Not too left, not too right, just centered. From my emotions to my choices, modesty is being intentional in how I move through the world. What Is Self-Respect? Self-respect is usually defined as pride and confidence in oneself, a feeling that one is behaving with honor and dignity. That’s true, but for me, it’s deeper. Self-respect is how I value myself. It’s knowing my limits and living by them. It’s understanding that there’s a higher being always watching me, guiding me. Because of that, I live right, not recklessly. It’s knowing my worth so deeply that I don’t bow down to anyone except the One who created me. Self-respect is the set of personal rules I live by the boundaries I don’t compromise. If modesty is my lifestyle, then self-respect is my compass. One keeps me grounded, and the other keeps me guided. Confident woman wearing a white blazer with a soft veil, representing purity, empowerment, and the beauty of modest self-expression. When Modesty and Self Respect Work Together Here’s something I’ve learned. When you live with both modesty and self-respect, life becomes easier, not because it’s perfect, but because it’s clearer. You stop chasing approval and start living from your values. You know when to walk away, when to speak up, and when to stand your ground. When I find myself in a situation that challenges either my modesty or myself respect, I remove myself. Not because I’m scared, but because I know who I am. Without those values, it’s easy to drift. To let others define you. To become a follower instead of a leader. Everyone wants to fit in, but not everyone wants to stand out. And standing out takes courage. It removes you from your comfort zone. But ask yourself, why be cheap when you were created to be rare? The Power of a Thinking Mind The human brain is a gift. It’s what sets us apart from every other creation. It’s meant to think, to reason, to question. The more you use your mind, the stronger it becomes. The less you use it, the easier it is for others to use it for you. And that’s when you lose your sense of self. That’s when brain rot begins, the slow numbing of curiosity, purpose, and truth. And once you stop questioning, you start following. But we were made to think. We were made to create meaning, to explore, and to choose. That’s what makes modesty and self-respect so powerful. They remind you that your mind is your own. Why Modesty and Self Respect Matter Classy modest woman wearing a black hat and cream blouse standing with a white horse, reflecting harmony, grace, and self-respect in nature. Having both modesty and self-respect is like putting your hands back on the steering wheel of your life. It doesn’t mean you’re perfect. It means you’re intentional. It’s freedom, not from boundaries, but from being controlled by other people’s expectations. It’s choosing a life that feels peaceful because it’s yours. It’s strength that doesn’t shout. It’s confidence that doesn’t need validation. It’s living in a way that honors who you are and what you believe in. When you live with modesty and self-respect, you realize something powerful. You’re not missing out on the world. You’re finally seeing it clearly. Modesty and self-respect aren’t restrictions. They’re reflections of who you are inside. And when you hold onto both, you walk through the world with quiet strength, unapologetically yourself.

Fashion Through Different Time Periods We were on our way to Sudan. My dad stood in the doorway of our room and said, “Make sure you pack modest clothes. We need to respect the culture." I remember the heat that rose in my chest. I felt angry, frustrated, like something was being taken from me. Sudan is a Muslim country, yes, but women still have freedom to dress how they want to an extent. Culturally, though, extremely tight clothing or anything showing too much skin is frowned upon. I did not care. I was convinced this was wrong. I told my dad Sudan was “backward,” that it did not honor women’s rights, that I should be allowed to wear whatever I wanted. But I did not realize he was right until I landed in Sudan wearing exactly what I wanted. My sisters and I stood out immediately. Not in the cute tourist chic way. In an "every eye is on you" way. One afternoon, we were walking down a street and a car slowed beside us. The men inside started catcalling loudly and aggressively. They shouted things that made my stomach twist. I wished I could disappear. I wished I could blend in. I wished I had listened. As we kept walking, I noticed something else. The local women who dressed modestly in flowy dresses, scarves, and loose layers moved through the world with ease. They were not stared at. They were not harassed. They commanded respect without saying a word. And that is when something shifted. Exploring urban environments among towering cityscapes prompts reflection: Is modesty a constraint or a basis for growth? For years I thought modesty was about restriction. Oppression. A limitation placed on women. But in that moment, I realized modesty was not something happening to those women. It was something they were using. Something that protected them. Something that communicated dignity. Something powerful. But here is the part that surprised me most. It was not just a developing country thing. When I came back to the United States, I noticed something I had ignored my whole life. We also use modesty as a tool here. We just do not call it that. Think about it. Everything Starts with ME When you go to a job interview, a courtroom, a university orientation, or any professional setting, you dress modestly. Not because someone forces you, but because you want to be taken seriously. We intuitively know modesty shapes perception. Psychology research even supports this. Studies published in The Journal of Social Psychology show that clothing dramatically influences how others interpret our intelligence, credibility, and trustworthiness. People in more modest or professional clothing are often judged as more capable and more confident compared to people dressed in revealing or overly casual outfits. The music industry sexualizes women constantly, yet those same women walk into business meetings in blazers and high necklines because they know the outfit that works for entertainment does not work for empowerment. Even female politicians are judged heavily on their clothing choices. Research from Rutgers University shows that women in leadership roles who dress modestly are perceived as more authoritative and competent, regardless of their policy positions. So, the real question is not does modesty take away from women’s empowerment The real question is why we are still acting like empowerment only comes from showing more. Because here is the truth I learned on that hot street in Sudan. Modesty is only oppressive when it is forced. Modesty is deeply empowering when it is chosen. Empowerment is not about how much skin is shown. It is about autonomy. It is about intention. It is about being able to choose what makes you feel safe, respected, confident, or grounded. Those Sudanese women were not oppressed by their clothes. They were empowered by them. And here in the United States we practice the exact same principles even though we pretend we do not. Professionalism. Decency. Safety. Respect. These concepts exist in every society, not just conservative ones. So, what does modesty really mean? It means choosing how you want to be seen. It means allowing your voice to arrive before your appearance. It means honoring your values, whether those values come from culture, faith, comfort, identity, or simply how you feel in your own skin. Modesty does not take away from women’s empowerment. Lack of choice does. Women who choose modesty are not shrinking themselves. Many are expanding more fully into who they are, refusing to let society dictate that empowerment must come through exposure. Because empowerment looks different for every woman. For some, it is bold and loud. For others, it is quiet and intentional. For many, empowerment looks like covering up, not to disappear, but to define themselves on their own terms. And maybe that is the part we should be questioning. If modesty, when chosen, gives a woman confidence, respect, and autonomy, then why is it still treated like the opposite of empowerment? Who decided that empowerment has only one look? And what if the answer has never been about clothes at all but about who gets to decide what a woman should be. What if modesty does not limit empowerment? What if it reveals it in a different way? Next time you’re out in public or spending time with a friend, start a conversation about whether modesty takes away from women’s empowerment or if it can actually strengthen it. See whether your perspectives differ and explore what empowerment really means to each of you. Warm moments. Honest conversations