The Ceiling of Boldness... For How Long?

Mirrors of the Soul

In an era where social media has become an open space for discussing everything, the problem is no longer whether we speak, but how we speak, what we say, and to whom.

We have recently noticed increasing boldness among some female figures, which has gone beyond the limits of daring expression to violate the sanctity of modesty, and to delve into sensitive topics that should only be addressed in the narrowest of circles.

This is not about preventing women from expressing themselves; it is their right to be present, aware, and to have opinions and perspectives. However, the value of awareness is not established by words that breach the veil of modesty. Modesty is a principle, a stance, and a language; it is not discarded when it is convenient, nor is it shed when the goal is to attract attention and gain publicity.

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It is truly regrettable that some women touch upon matters of their private lives and topics that should not, in the first place, be presented before men, as if modesty has become a secondary concern. How shameful it is for a woman to squander her privacy herself, turning what should be preserved and concealed into public discourse available to all.

There is a difference between raising awareness and exposing secrets, and between discussing a social issue and turning sensitive details into material for entertainment. The irony is that some justify this boldness as "frankness" or "breaking taboos," as if frankness means discarding good taste, and as if development is incomplete unless everything becomes open for discussion.

The distinction is clear: Boldness in raising sensitive and private topics that are not suitable for public discussion may be seen as courage by some. However, boldness in the manner of expression is not necessarily so.

Thus, this kind of boldness does not befit a woman; rather, it harms her image and status. An aware woman knows how to choose what she presents, selecting her topics and vocabulary in a way that preserves her respect and dignity, and does not turn social media into a space where she compromises her etiquette or modesty.

A woman’s strength is not measured by the height of her boldness, nor by her ability to use phrases or terms that exceed the bounds of propriety, or to raise embarrassing, objectionable, and shameful topics that do not suit a woman’s standing. Rather, it lies in knowing when to speak, when to remain silent, and when to put a stop to speech. When we open the platforms wide, we must remember that behind the screens are generations learning, girls imitating, and a society whose tastes are shaped by what we repeat before them. What we see today as "just a word" may become tomorrow an accepted language. Not all fame is success; some words attract views but diminish dignity, and some boldness boosts numbers but lowers the value of the person behind them.

Platforms remain mirrors of their owners. It is beautiful for a person to have a presence that is heard, but it is even more beautiful for that presence to be respected. Modesty is not weakness or regression; it is refinement when in its proper place, awareness when it governs speech, and dignity when it prevents its possessor from saying everything that crosses their mind.

The question that we must ask ourselves before pressing the "publish" button remains: Is everything I can say appropriate for me to say?

Sometimes, this question alone is enough to restore some respect to platforms, some value to words, and some dignity to humanity.

A Kuwaiti female writer