spacedonkey, my post was for clearing a little misunderstanding about young Muslim girls having Hijab (not by you, but by a certain individual who has made it a purpose of her creation to bash Islam, and to associate sex with everything Muslims do, even Muslim children).
slug, perhaps I did not write clearly. I wrote:
"Most Muslim women, and men, cover their heads when they hear the adhaan (the call to prayer). What the women put on can be considered as Hijab. After that, those who observe their religion, get ready to pray. The Hijab on the young daughter reminds the mother of her and her daughter's relationship with Allah, and how her daughter, when she grows up, will submit to the One and Only God."
Yes, we encourage our young to submit to God as early as possible. Our children, both male and female, learn to pray with us, much before it is a religious obligation. Many even start fasting with us, at a much younger age than is obligatory.
They are our children. We do not teach them to blow themselves up. We teach them the responsibilities they will carry as human beings, we teach them to seek strength from Allah, and we teach them to obey Him in all matters.
_
as for the adult women, and men:
Muslims cover because they are commanded to. Both men and women are asked to dress in modesty, to hide their private parts, and more. There are differences in what parts are to be covered.
They are asked to use language that does not encourage sexual arousal, and to hide those parts that can arouse.
Here then, your statement that sexual arousal cannot be denied, has some validity. Some, because even ugly Muslims cover.
There is a wonderful poem, written by an English revert sister, and if I can find it, I will post it for you to see why Muslimahs prefer to cover.
_
I do not agree with the association of "little girls with Hijaab" as a protection from lustful gazes. That to me is an indication of a sick mind, nothing else.