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http://dx.doi.org/10.5850/JKSCT.2007.31.6.923

A Comparative Cross-cultural Study of Contemporary Modesty and Immodesty in American and South Korean College Women  

Kim, Yang-Jin (Dept. of Fashion Design, Sangji Youngseo College)
Michelman, Susan (Dept. of Merchandising, Apparel, & Textiles, University of Kentucky)
Seock, Yoo-Kyoung (Dept. of Textiles, Merchandising, & Interiors, University of Georgia)
Koh, Ae-Ran (Dept. of Clothing & Textiles, Yonsei University)
Publication Information
Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles / v.31, no.6, 2007 , pp. 923-932 More about this Journal
Abstract
This research examines current viewpoints on modesty and immodesty in dress from a cross-cultural perspective. The purposes of this study was to explore the concept of modesty and to find out sub-variables of modesty, and the similarities and differences of modesty between two cultures. This qualitative interview study of 58 female college students in America and 36 in Korea examines attitudes about modesty. The data collection was performed in America and Korea simultaneously in Feb. 2004. According to the results of this study, the concept of modesty had 4 sub-variables such as covering up, appropriateness, drawing attention from others, and conservativeness. Both American and Korean students mentioned that time and place are closely related with modesty and that modesty was related with gender. Also cultural differences were existed.
Keywords
Modesty; Immodesty;
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