Shalit advocates modesty among today's college students
By KATE WALTER
"Don't be ashamed about what you should be proud of," stated 24-year old Williams College graduate Wendy Shalit in a standing-room-only lecture held Wednesday in the Hesburgh Library Auditorium.
Shalit's recently published book entitled "A Return to Modesty" concerns the history of modesty, the problem concerning the ideals of modesty today and the issue of young women today who grew up after the sexual revolution.
She became interested in the idea of modesty during her college experience at Williams, where the university required Shalit to live in co-ed dorms, including sharing a co-ed bathroom.
Wednesday's lecture dealt with Shalit's concern with today's "attack on modesty." Shalit believes that the advice given to young girls today "is not in line with reality."
Photos and articles in popular women's magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Harper's Bazaar, which display scantily-clad women and advise young women to "keep married men as pets," send the message that "there's something wrong with you if you believe in modesty."
Shalit stated that in her own experience, expressing her opposition to co-ed bathrooms and dorms led others to accuse her of being uncomfortable with her body.
"I'm comfortable with my body," said Shalit to her accusers. "I'm not comfortable with your bodies in such close proximity to mine."
Shalit also refuted certain myths about modesty that are accepted in today's society, including the idea that modesty is the equivalent of prudery. According to Shalit, modesty is actually the opposite.
"In stating that you will be with no one or with anyone, both prudery and promiscuousness express the idea that you can't be touched by anyone or anything," Shalit said.
Shalit added that modesty, on the other hand, "expresses that you can be touched, and are simply waiting for the right person to whom you want to give that privilege."
"Modesty," according to Shalit, "is integrating your hopes and integrating what you want into your life."
Shalit believes that women today should feel secure in their beliefs, rather than feel that they have to find excuses to "avoid the hook-up scene."
Concluding the lecture by giving advice about what can be done to preserve the virtue of modesty, she stated that parents have to be comfortable talking about human nature and giving advice to their children.
"There are children today who have no guidance, and are begging for it," said Shalit.
"I urge you to speak your mind," said Shalit. "Don't let the exhibitionist dominate our culture."
All News Stories for Thursday, September 9, 1999
