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Naked Feminism: Breaking the Cult of Female Modesty
Is it right that, despite the promises of feminism, women’s bodies remain at the mercy of state, society and religion? Should a scantily clad woman, or a promiscuous one, be worth less than a fully covered woman, or a chaste one? Are being sexy and being smart really mutually exclusive? Can a woman be both body and brain? Victoria Bateman has confronted these questions with actions as well as words. She has appeared naked on national television, on stage, in art and at protests – using her body, as well as her brain, to deliver her message.
In Naked Feminism, Bateman makes a compelling case for women’s bodily freedom, and explains why the current puritanical revival is so dangerous for women. Illustrating the swinging pendulum of bodily modesty through the ages, she takes us on a journey from the ancient civilisations of Egypt and Babylon, through the birth of Christianity and Islam, to the lax morals of the medieval period and the bawdiness of Chaucer and Shakespeare; to the clampdowns of the Puritans and later the Victorians and, more recently, to the re-veiling of the Middle East and the purity pledges of modern-day America. She ends with a feminists must unite to challenge the repression of the female body, as only then can women be truly free.
In Naked Feminism, Bateman makes a compelling case for women’s bodily freedom, and explains why the current puritanical revival is so dangerous for women. Illustrating the swinging pendulum of bodily modesty through the ages, she takes us on a journey from the ancient civilisations of Egypt and Babylon, through the birth of Christianity and Islam, to the lax morals of the medieval period and the bawdiness of Chaucer and Shakespeare; to the clampdowns of the Puritans and later the Victorians and, more recently, to the re-veiling of the Middle East and the purity pledges of modern-day America. She ends with a feminists must unite to challenge the repression of the female body, as only then can women be truly free.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2023
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2854 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 17, 2023
Convincing analysis of the causes of and the harm to women from the “modesty cult”
Drawing together historical and contemporary evidence from around the work, in easy-to-read Naked Feminism Victoria Bateman argues convincingly that the “modesty cult” harms ALL women. She explains how it is the product of paternity uncertainty and private property - patrilineal inheritance can only function when you’re certain who the father of a child is - backed up by the state and by religious authorities. It conditions how women behave individually and collectively and “[w]hile it is easy to blame the patriarchy for the modesty cult, evidence suggests that women are themselves active participants. Whether in the form of footbinding in pre-modern China or female genital cutting in modern-day Egypt, the cult of female modesty has been passed on from generation to generation with active female participation”. But female participation in the modesty cult is not a feature only of less-developed countries: Bateman is critical in particular of western radical feminists who “are now using their intellectual and political power to deprive less privileged women of the most fundamental freedom of all: freedom over their own body. […] [W]hile making money from your brain is to be celebrated, making money from your body, for example as a glamour model, stripper or a sex worker, is not; instead you are shamed, stigmatised and attacked by the new feminist elite“. For Bateman, a woman should be able to make money from her brains, her body, or both.
Drawing together historical and contemporary evidence from around the work, in easy-to-read Naked Feminism Victoria Bateman argues convincingly that the “modesty cult” harms ALL women. She explains how it is the product of paternity uncertainty and private property - patrilineal inheritance can only function when you’re certain who the father of a child is - backed up by the state and by religious authorities. It conditions how women behave individually and collectively and “[w]hile it is easy to blame the patriarchy for the modesty cult, evidence suggests that women are themselves active participants. Whether in the form of footbinding in pre-modern China or female genital cutting in modern-day Egypt, the cult of female modesty has been passed on from generation to generation with active female participation”. But female participation in the modesty cult is not a feature only of less-developed countries: Bateman is critical in particular of western radical feminists who “are now using their intellectual and political power to deprive less privileged women of the most fundamental freedom of all: freedom over their own body. […] [W]hile making money from your brain is to be celebrated, making money from your body, for example as a glamour model, stripper or a sex worker, is not; instead you are shamed, stigmatised and attacked by the new feminist elite“. For Bateman, a woman should be able to make money from her brains, her body, or both.
August 17, 2023
Whew! What a book. The author is European, and she explores the history and current status of the female Modesty Cult worldwide. It was super interesting. I kept having to stop to jot down quotes or thoughts. Of course a lot of my quotes intersect with modesty/purity cult and evangelicalism, since that is my background. But hearing about the female Modesty Cult in other countries was fascinating. Obviously sad too.
Since I spent 7mths living in Niger, West Africa, I also found this quote super sad:
“Niger has the highest rate of child marriage in the world. 3/4 of today’s young women were married by the age of 18. And just over a 1/4 by the age of 15. Alongside, only 4% of girls in Niger complete lower secondary school. A fear of dishonour from pregnancy outside marriage can be found at the root. With both early marriage and withdrawal from school being seen as a means of avoiding shame. …parents worry that attending school will reduce their prospects of marrying early.”
More quotes:
“Westerners feel they have the right balance for modesty. Anyone else is underdressed or oppressed.”
“To be modest, someone else has to be immodest. Women covering to show their piety had to take it a step further when veiling became a norm…”
“Countries in the world where women feel least safe are not countries where women are skimpily clad, but countries where the modesty cult is strong. Modesty culture does not protect women.”
“By failing to equip women to understand their own agency and bodily autonomy, the evangelical purity movement creates an environment that is ripe for rape.”
“Lack of knowledge of sexual and reproductive health feeds through to unplanned pregnancy, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted diseases. But many women and girls are locked out of accessing knowledge about their bodies as a result of the modesty cult.”
“A culture of modesty adversely affects cervical screening.”
[…The stigma associated with cervical cancer means it’s not talked about even within family. Stigma from thinking it’s due to lifestyle choices.]
“The fact that a woman is expected to, in the space of one evening, cast aside all conventional prudish constraint to make the most of sexual pleasure is no mean feat.” [wedding night]
“It is perfectly possible to tackle the risks associated with sex without also forcing on women the idea that virginity is the ideal and that women who have sex are sluts.”
“Women are not sexual objects who exist to please others. They have their own sexual desires that deserve to be recognized and set free from guilt and shame.”
“Rather than protecting women and girls, the modesty cult leaves them in a more, not less, vulnerable position.”
“The modesty cult manifests itself in different ways, in different parts of the world… in all societies where the modesty cult is strong, women are exposed to greater violence. Whether in the form of female genital mutilation, street based harassment, intimate partner violence, or honour killings.”
“The irony is that Purity culture is anything but pure. It is woven with oppression and lies. It’s another weapon of patriarchy to control and marginalized women. The church will continue to bring shame, sexual dysfunction and pain, until purity culture is rejected and replaced with a new ideology.”
“Women are socialized into accepting their positions. …women can be happily, as opposed to reluctantly, abiding by, and passionately preaching, modesty culture, without realizing the consequences.”
Since I spent 7mths living in Niger, West Africa, I also found this quote super sad:
“Niger has the highest rate of child marriage in the world. 3/4 of today’s young women were married by the age of 18. And just over a 1/4 by the age of 15. Alongside, only 4% of girls in Niger complete lower secondary school. A fear of dishonour from pregnancy outside marriage can be found at the root. With both early marriage and withdrawal from school being seen as a means of avoiding shame. …parents worry that attending school will reduce their prospects of marrying early.”
More quotes:
“Westerners feel they have the right balance for modesty. Anyone else is underdressed or oppressed.”
“To be modest, someone else has to be immodest. Women covering to show their piety had to take it a step further when veiling became a norm…”
“Countries in the world where women feel least safe are not countries where women are skimpily clad, but countries where the modesty cult is strong. Modesty culture does not protect women.”
“By failing to equip women to understand their own agency and bodily autonomy, the evangelical purity movement creates an environment that is ripe for rape.”
“Lack of knowledge of sexual and reproductive health feeds through to unplanned pregnancy, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted diseases. But many women and girls are locked out of accessing knowledge about their bodies as a result of the modesty cult.”
“A culture of modesty adversely affects cervical screening.”
[…The stigma associated with cervical cancer means it’s not talked about even within family. Stigma from thinking it’s due to lifestyle choices.]
“The fact that a woman is expected to, in the space of one evening, cast aside all conventional prudish constraint to make the most of sexual pleasure is no mean feat.” [wedding night]
“It is perfectly possible to tackle the risks associated with sex without also forcing on women the idea that virginity is the ideal and that women who have sex are sluts.”
“Women are not sexual objects who exist to please others. They have their own sexual desires that deserve to be recognized and set free from guilt and shame.”
“Rather than protecting women and girls, the modesty cult leaves them in a more, not less, vulnerable position.”
“The modesty cult manifests itself in different ways, in different parts of the world… in all societies where the modesty cult is strong, women are exposed to greater violence. Whether in the form of female genital mutilation, street based harassment, intimate partner violence, or honour killings.”
“The irony is that Purity culture is anything but pure. It is woven with oppression and lies. It’s another weapon of patriarchy to control and marginalized women. The church will continue to bring shame, sexual dysfunction and pain, until purity culture is rejected and replaced with a new ideology.”
“Women are socialized into accepting their positions. …women can be happily, as opposed to reluctantly, abiding by, and passionately preaching, modesty culture, without realizing the consequences.”
July 28, 2024
This book will provoke controversy, both pro and con. That's to be expected from Victoria Bateman, whose opinions are strong - and manifested by her public persona. Bateman is unquestionably a feminist - but her opinions may trigger as much disagreement as support from other feminists. In short. she argues that the contemporary feminist emphasis on body modesty is an oppressive burden on women - and has usually been so for most of recorded history.
To quote from the jacket of the hardcover book, "Bateman makes a compelling case for women's bodily freedom and explains why the current puritanical revival is so dangerous for women. She takes us on a journey, illustrating the swinging pendulum of bodily modesty through the ages."
Bateman describes the situation as a "cult of female modesty". By that she means the fact that while men can - in suitable contexts - expose almost their entire bodies, women are socialized to think that exposing "too much" of their bodies in the same contexts contravenes their "appropriate" public image, and even their personal safety. Although pragmatically there are reasons for this, it is unjust and restricts women's bodily freedom in comparison to that of men. For example, in most places, it's perfectly normal for men - if they wish - to expose their entire upper bodies in their homes, around swimming pools, on beaches, or while working outdoors when the temperature is high. But doing likewise is considered unacceptable for women almost everywhere.
Of course, most women don't object to this situation - because they've been socialized to accept it as perfectly normal. Moreover, they see this limitation on their freedom as simply in their best interest. Bateman strongly disagrees with this situation. She considers it - presently - to be merely a continuation of an unjust, anti-female way of thinking, albeit one that's persisted through most of recorded history. To emphasize her disagreement, she characterizes the situation as a cult - i.e. a twisted belief system - one that is discriminatory to women, even though it's hardly ever questioned.
There are some ironies in this situation. In fact, at least in modern Western societies, it's quite normal for women to expose certain areas of their bodies - in ways that are rather less common for men. This is especially apparent, for example, in work environments or more "formal" situations. Women have more freedom to wear clothes, such as dresses or tops that expose most of their shoulders, are sleeveless, and/or have a low neckline. Women may wear dresses, skirts, or shorts that don’t cover most of their legs from above the knees on down. Footwear that exposes some or most of their feet is fairly normal. When at home, out shopping, or in other informal contexts women can expose even more. But for men to expose as much would often be "unusual". Men’s "shorts" that extend below the knees are now common.
Unsurprisingly, women (and men) who are "celebrities" can get away with intentionally exposing even more skin in public. The only exceptions are anything that’s illegal (and sometimes not even then). The problem here is that what's considered "acceptable" in a particular context is very different for women and men - whereas acceptability should depend only on personal preference - not gender.
However, there's more to the situation. Although women seemingly have the freedom to expose more skin (except in very formal contexts), the fact is that women who expose "too much"risk more than social disapproval. The risks extend from unwanted and undesirable attention or sexual harassment to rape or even worse physical harm. This is a serious social problem. So women face risks - and therefore less freedom - to dress in a way that pleases them - while men don’t have similar risks. That's because "modesty" (by some definitions) is necessary for women in most situations. In “formal” circumstances, such as business offices, there are often stricter expectations about ways of dressing that apply to both women and men - but that’s a special case.
Victoria Bateman understands all of this, of course. Her main point is that "modesty" - as it pertains to clothing - is a vague concept, can extend unreasonably far, and unfairly constrains women's legitimate personal freedom. This is why she calls female modesty a "cult". And it’s hardly a small one, since most women in contemporary Western society seem to adhere to the cult’s strictures.
Bateman is not some weirdo flake. As a fellow in economics at the prestigious University of Cambridge, she’s a person of demonstrated substance. But as noted on the book jacket, she's "also known for using her [naked] body in art and protest, including to challenge the assumptions and stigma surrounding women's bodies." For example, in the lead-up to the misbegotten (but successful although soon widely regretted) policy of "Brexit", she was often photographed with anti-Brexit protest slogans on her fully nude body.
Economics is Bateman's expertise, but the book demonstrates she's done extensive research and is quite knowledgeable about the history and sociology of the "cult of female modesty". The first three chapters detail the history, dangers, and causes of the modesty cult. The fourth chapter is a passionate argument to "beware puritanical feminism". The concluding chapter summarises how "modern-day feminists seem to believe that nudity and intellectual prowess are somehow incompatible". She recommends a 3-step process for feminists: (1) Self-reflection, (2) Reforming feminism, (3) Embrace 'my body, my choice'.
To quote from the jacket of the hardcover book, "Bateman makes a compelling case for women's bodily freedom and explains why the current puritanical revival is so dangerous for women. She takes us on a journey, illustrating the swinging pendulum of bodily modesty through the ages."
Bateman describes the situation as a "cult of female modesty". By that she means the fact that while men can - in suitable contexts - expose almost their entire bodies, women are socialized to think that exposing "too much" of their bodies in the same contexts contravenes their "appropriate" public image, and even their personal safety. Although pragmatically there are reasons for this, it is unjust and restricts women's bodily freedom in comparison to that of men. For example, in most places, it's perfectly normal for men - if they wish - to expose their entire upper bodies in their homes, around swimming pools, on beaches, or while working outdoors when the temperature is high. But doing likewise is considered unacceptable for women almost everywhere.
Of course, most women don't object to this situation - because they've been socialized to accept it as perfectly normal. Moreover, they see this limitation on their freedom as simply in their best interest. Bateman strongly disagrees with this situation. She considers it - presently - to be merely a continuation of an unjust, anti-female way of thinking, albeit one that's persisted through most of recorded history. To emphasize her disagreement, she characterizes the situation as a cult - i.e. a twisted belief system - one that is discriminatory to women, even though it's hardly ever questioned.
There are some ironies in this situation. In fact, at least in modern Western societies, it's quite normal for women to expose certain areas of their bodies - in ways that are rather less common for men. This is especially apparent, for example, in work environments or more "formal" situations. Women have more freedom to wear clothes, such as dresses or tops that expose most of their shoulders, are sleeveless, and/or have a low neckline. Women may wear dresses, skirts, or shorts that don’t cover most of their legs from above the knees on down. Footwear that exposes some or most of their feet is fairly normal. When at home, out shopping, or in other informal contexts women can expose even more. But for men to expose as much would often be "unusual". Men’s "shorts" that extend below the knees are now common.
Unsurprisingly, women (and men) who are "celebrities" can get away with intentionally exposing even more skin in public. The only exceptions are anything that’s illegal (and sometimes not even then). The problem here is that what's considered "acceptable" in a particular context is very different for women and men - whereas acceptability should depend only on personal preference - not gender.
However, there's more to the situation. Although women seemingly have the freedom to expose more skin (except in very formal contexts), the fact is that women who expose "too much"risk more than social disapproval. The risks extend from unwanted and undesirable attention or sexual harassment to rape or even worse physical harm. This is a serious social problem. So women face risks - and therefore less freedom - to dress in a way that pleases them - while men don’t have similar risks. That's because "modesty" (by some definitions) is necessary for women in most situations. In “formal” circumstances, such as business offices, there are often stricter expectations about ways of dressing that apply to both women and men - but that’s a special case.
Victoria Bateman understands all of this, of course. Her main point is that "modesty" - as it pertains to clothing - is a vague concept, can extend unreasonably far, and unfairly constrains women's legitimate personal freedom. This is why she calls female modesty a "cult". And it’s hardly a small one, since most women in contemporary Western society seem to adhere to the cult’s strictures.
Bateman is not some weirdo flake. As a fellow in economics at the prestigious University of Cambridge, she’s a person of demonstrated substance. But as noted on the book jacket, she's "also known for using her [naked] body in art and protest, including to challenge the assumptions and stigma surrounding women's bodies." For example, in the lead-up to the misbegotten (but successful although soon widely regretted) policy of "Brexit", she was often photographed with anti-Brexit protest slogans on her fully nude body.
Economics is Bateman's expertise, but the book demonstrates she's done extensive research and is quite knowledgeable about the history and sociology of the "cult of female modesty". The first three chapters detail the history, dangers, and causes of the modesty cult. The fourth chapter is a passionate argument to "beware puritanical feminism". The concluding chapter summarises how "modern-day feminists seem to believe that nudity and intellectual prowess are somehow incompatible". She recommends a 3-step process for feminists: (1) Self-reflection, (2) Reforming feminism, (3) Embrace 'my body, my choice'.
June 16, 2025
Great background on how the modesty cult came to be, documentation on how it is affecting our world today, and guidance on what we can personally do to resist the modesty cult. Interesting to read about the discourse between modesty and naked feminism, especially in relation to sex work. At the end of the day, we need to eliminate poverty in order to truly encompass “my body, my choice.”
August 18, 2024
Well researched, accessible and clear language, very thorough. Didn't agree with all the arguments but enjoyed reading about this interpretation of feminist theory
June 13, 2025
A really brilliant book. I couldn’t put it down, just so so well written. Really recommend.
May 14, 2024
This is an important book, and it makes an important point. I had not previously considered how the overwhelmingly prevalent set of attitudes author Victoria Bateman identifies as the Modesty Cult colors cultures and attitudes so pervasively.
It explains and demonstrates compellingly that the false dichotomy between "pure" and "impure," "modest" and "immodest" women keeps dividing even women who should know better into rival camps that keep us eternally oppressed. There is no way for a woman to "win," under the Modesty Cult. It is the overarching force that enables male supremacy.
This is a scholarly work, and it's treated in a scholarly fashion. Bateman must pursue each strand of her argument to its logical extent, then tie it back into the primary theme. My one criticism is that this means she must of necessity belabor the point. Proving her thesis in excruciating detail is important -- but decidedly dry reading. Having now made her point in an extremely thoroughgoing manner, I hope she or one of her followers writes a book on this topic that's more accessible to the public.
It explains and demonstrates compellingly that the false dichotomy between "pure" and "impure," "modest" and "immodest" women keeps dividing even women who should know better into rival camps that keep us eternally oppressed. There is no way for a woman to "win," under the Modesty Cult. It is the overarching force that enables male supremacy.
This is a scholarly work, and it's treated in a scholarly fashion. Bateman must pursue each strand of her argument to its logical extent, then tie it back into the primary theme. My one criticism is that this means she must of necessity belabor the point. Proving her thesis in excruciating detail is important -- but decidedly dry reading. Having now made her point in an extremely thoroughgoing manner, I hope she or one of her followers writes a book on this topic that's more accessible to the public.
September 24, 2025
Overall, a great feminist read and I enjoyed the history of the subject as well as gaining some much needed language around having this conversation with others.
4⭐️ on the subject matter - I felt that the author only very briefly touched on the way racism factors in to how Black and Brown women are perceived and treated, and I would have liked to have read more in depth on this aspect.
3.5 ⭐️ on the writing. The material is super dense (its basically a lit review on the history of modesty from the beginning of recorded time), and that combined with the chapters being about 50 pages each made it a sluggish read.
4⭐️ on the subject matter - I felt that the author only very briefly touched on the way racism factors in to how Black and Brown women are perceived and treated, and I would have liked to have read more in depth on this aspect.
3.5 ⭐️ on the writing. The material is super dense (its basically a lit review on the history of modesty from the beginning of recorded time), and that combined with the chapters being about 50 pages each made it a sluggish read.
August 20, 2024
Tried to read this for bookclub. And it just wasn't what I was expecting. It's more of a textbook. And it wasn't very relatable to western culture. A few interesting points but nothing mind blowing. I didn't quite finish it though.
October 8, 2025
Very compelling and comprehensive argument. This book is important and will help many readers, myself included, think more critically about internalized messages of modesty and the associated false promises of respectability and safety
dnf
November 30, 2023unfortunately not in the mood for nonfiction rn, but i read the first chapter and found it quite interesting!
Read
May 5, 2024School: *Issues a uniform swimsuit*
Also School: "That swimsuit is obscene! You're disqualified immediately!"
Also School: "That swimsuit is obscene! You're disqualified immediately!"
March 28, 2025
My body is MINE
December 2, 2025
so many interesting ideas
dnf
September 28, 2024I DNF’d so I might be wrong, but it’s giving choice feminism.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews