Gender?: TO VEIL OR NOT TO VEIL? A Case Study of Identity Negotiation Among Muslim Women in Austin, Texas

In the article, "TO VEIL OR NOT TO VEIL? A Case Study of Identity Negotiation Among Muslim Women in Austin, Texas" by Jen'nan Ghazal Read and John P. Bartkowski, the negative stereotype attributed to Muslim women is addressed.
The assumption that veiled Muslim women are dressed that way against their will, implies their willingness to yield freedoms and rights.
Religious preference. Veiled women are considered more devout followers of their religion than those who choose the "freedom" to not be veiled. The women who choose to veil consider themselves pious and devoted to their god, Allah, thereby making them obedient Muslim women. In addition to the concept of religious practice, another justification for this practice is the argument that you can't be tempted by what you don't see. Out of sight, out of mind. By veiling, sexual temptation is skewed, with the possible prevention of potential, negative consequences (i.e., unwanted pregnancy, rape, undesired sexual advances, etc.). Additionally, some of the women who choose to don the veil notice increased respect and lack of unwanted sexual advances from members of the opposite sex.
Although I could understand the liberation of not wearing the veil, (as if to be rebellious, or to enjoy freedom from the constraints of religion), I can also understand the importance of religious devotion by wearing the veil, and the benefits of avoiding unwanted sexual advances. This article helped open my eyes to the different aspects that I hadn't considered, with regards to the practice of Muslim women to be veiled or not to be veiled.