logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2023
50m 8s

Female Nudity & Modesty

History Hit
About this episode

Why is the naked body of a life model more respected than a glamour model? Why has there been a resurgence in virtue policing? And why was Kate completely naked during the interview with today’s guest?!


Today we’re casting off our clothes and slipping Betwixt the Sheets with academic, feminist, economist and naked protestor, Victoria Bateman.Hear about the cyclical nature of modesty culture in Ancient Egypt and Babylonia right up to now, and find out about society’s hypocritical attitudes towards women’s bodies.


You can find out more about Victoria’s book here.


Produced by Charlotte Long. Mixed by Stuart Beckwith.

Up next
Jul 8
The Power of Medieval Gossip
People have always gossiped, but what did they gossip about in medieval times? How were women punished for gossiping? And where does the term 'gossip' come from?Joining Kate today to gossip about all things medieval gossip is the wonderful Eleanor Janega, co-host of our sister po ... Show More
34m 25s
Jul 4
Royal Sex: Queen Victoria
With NINE children, it can probably be assumed that Queen Victoria was no stranger to the sheets, but what do we actually know about her love (and sex) life?To examine Victoria's diaries, her passionate relationship and her society's attitude to sex, Kate is joined for this speci ... Show More
47m 34s
Jul 1
Why Were Ancient Dicks So Small?
Have you ever been puzzled by proportions when looking at Ancient Greek statues? It can't just be us.From quarrying the stone to chipping away the final touches on your masterpiece - sculpting is a drawn out process. So why, after possibly years of work, did Ancient Greek artists ... Show More
35m 22s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2018
SMNTY Classics: The Female Nude
The female nude is a cornerstone of Western art, so how should we interpret her importance? Cristen and Caroline investigate the art history and societal significance of these mysterious unclothed muses. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee ... Show More
55m 36s
Aug 2014
Is modest hottest?
Since ancient times, women have been advised to cover up in order to protect their dignity. More recently, a so-called "modesty movement" has gotten underway, and Cristen and Caroline undress how the "modest is hottest" message ultimately strips agency from women and men alike. L ... Show More
46m 57s
Jun 2024
Le sexe contrôlé - Chantal Prévot
Vous écoutez le podcast "Les interviews Histoire", notre émission hebdomadaire gratuite pour tous.  Abonnez-vous à "Timeline 5.000 ans d'Histoire" et accédez à environ 350 podcasts d'1 heure pour seulement 2€ par mois sans Pub ! Avec une nouvelle émission chaque semaine : https:/ ... Show More
37m 55s
Jul 2023
Material girls - philosophies of gender | Kathleen Stock
What is behind the polarising debate on gender? How can we navigate the new politics of gender identity... if at all?Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesGender identity is the hot topic, but many argue that we must remain grounded in ... Show More
23m 47s
Nov 2022
Postmodernism in the dock | Julian Baggini, Mina Salami, Hilary Lawson and Julie Bindel
Are we right to abandon objective truth? Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesIt has been forty years since postmodernism swept through the academy changing the character of the arts and social sciences, impacting everything from lite ... Show More
43m 51s
Jul 2021
SMNTY Classics: The Not-So-Skimpy History of the Bikini
Although they're ubiquitous on today's beaches, bikinis are a far cry from the modest, cumbersome swimming costumes women used to wear. Molly and Cristen discuss the history and feminist implications of the world's skimpiest swimwear in this classic episode. Learn more about your ... Show More
30m 53s
Jun 2021
The Economist Asks: Whitney Wolfe Herd
The founder of Bumble talks to Anne McElvoy about whether dating apps have killed romance. Is she cashing in on feminism by building a brand around female empowerment? The world’s youngest female self-made billionaire explains why she’s calling for more diversity in the tech indu ... Show More
26m 14s
Mar 2024
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism w/ Kristen Ghodsee
When the Soviet Union collapsed and the Berlin Wall was toppled, a lot was unearthed and a lot of interesting information became available to scholars and researchers in the West. One of those little bits of information was the answer to a question that a lot of people had never ... Show More
1h 14m
Feb 2024
Women watch porn too - so why can’t we talk about it?
A quarter of people watching pornography are women, but why do we find it hard to comprehend? We speak to the author of a new book who has interviewed one hundred women about their porn habits - what can we learn about women’s pleasure? This podcast was brought to you thanks to t ... Show More
26m 17s
May 2022
The Invisible Thread: Life after Slavery in Pompeii (With Elodie Harper)
What happened to people in ancient Rome who were freed from slavery? Turns out there were still invisible threads--economic pressures, imbalances of status, and debts owed to wealthy patrons--that kept many of them in bondage. On the streets of Pompeii, freedom came at a steep pr ... Show More
1h 2m