Sikhs - Is it degrading to for men to wear a turban?

digderidoo

Merry's thread seems to be descending into debating the pros and cons of muslims.

But i want to pick up on one point that for some on this board they seem to feel that it is degrading for women to wear the hijab.

Living in the midlands uk which is very multicultural there is a large indian sikh population. Some choose to wear the turban, some dont. Some of these may wear it due to social pressure, but i believe that for many it is an identity that they are proud of.

For those on hear who think that is demeaning for a muslim woman to wear the hijab, do they feel the same about a sikh man wearing a turban? If not why?

oompa

It is very demeaning if they are only wearing a turban.........................oompa

bisous

My understanding of the Sikh turban is that both male and female adherents don it. It is not worn as a distinction between humans (a woman covering herself to be subservient to her husband or to mask her sexuality) but it is done as a representation of their religious conviction. Both sexes wear a headcovering of sorts, by choice. You can do a simple google search and learn more about Sikh turbans.

Unlike hijab, with the turban neither men or women are beaten or abused for not wearing it. Hijab to me is very offensive because of the oppression it produces throughout the world.

FadingAway

My father was 14 when he cut his hair and moved from India to Scotland to attend school, this was back in the '60s. He told me he still regrets making that decison. Thing is though, he never grew his hair or beard back.

My uncle in California is wears his turban with pride.

My opinion based on my family is that they are proud to wear the turban as it is attached to Sikh history and culture. They take much pride in that

hamsterbait

The Sikhs do not cut their hair.

After twenty-odd years it is unmanageable unles it is tied up.

Little boys of the faith only start wearing a "turbanette" on top of their little heads when the hair is getting in the way.

They could wear their hair loose as many of the women do, but it is not considered demeaning if you want to be more practical, and not risk getting it caught up in machinery.

HB

BurnTheShips

Living in the midlands uk which is very multicultural there is a large indian sikh population. Some choose to wear the turban, some dont. Some of these may wear it due to social pressure, but i believe that for many it is an identity that they are proud of.

I believe for many it is a form of self-identification, and as you mention, pride. Sikhism was partially a revolt against the caste system on one hand (they did away with the castes, all men were "lions" from then on hence the universal Sikh name "Singh") and absolutist Islamism on the other, and possibly an actual divine intervention and enlightenment. I have read some of the Guru Granth Sahib and I think it contains a great deal of truth. Sikhs tend to excel wherever they go and part of this is due to their religious beliefs. I think they are justifiably proud.

worldtraveller

Most Sikhs here in B.C. that wear the turban are baptized I believe. It is in part of the support of the independent home state of Khalistan, but most Sikhs have given up that idea. You will find the Sikh males also wear their hair long and inside the turban and wear gold rings on the wrist. Some also wear a kirpan, a ceremonial dagger that must be kept sheathed on their person at all times.

Many of the younger Sikhs are living less about God and more about material posessions. Too bad. The elders are decent people.