Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue [Hardcover]

Buried deep in "Return to Modesty" Wendy Shalit mentions that while enrolled at Williams College, she authored that trenchant exploration of the abdication of standards. Although I failed to make the connection, it is easy to see that the "Reader Digest" article's scribe was blessed with the same insight, articulation, and talent that the author of this bold work demonstrates.

While countless books have been written intelligently arguing on behalf of chastity and traditional sexual mores, most hark back to the antediluvian days when explicit sex was not found in every segment of society. Wendy Shalit may be the first to advocate that these allegedly archaic ideals are not only innovative but truly radical and empowering, and it is that the slatternly standard that has somehow become the norm that truly demeans women. Throughout the book she persuasively declares that modest attire and behavior is far more alluring, exciting, and even downright provocative than the slutty exhibitionism that has slinked its way into the mainstream.

Although her topic is extremely serious, Ms. Shalit skillfully utilizes a great deal of humor to fortify her position. Nowhere is this more intelligently done than in her overview of pornographic sex education that starts in early grammar school. Even though her progressive mother had her dismissed from the salacious indoctrination seminars, she once peaked at a friend's text that contained the inconceivable crack "(an)orgasm is like when you have to sneeze, and then you sneeze." Her fourth grade mind justifiably wondered, "why would I want to sneeze more than I have to sneeze; I hate sneezing." By highlighting the absurdity rather than the depravity of this sick sex ed material, her reasoned suasion is all the more powerful.

Ms. Shalit was 23 when she wrote this cogent book--showing maturity beyond her years. In addition to making an eloquent and difficult to refute argument for the desirability of modesty, it also serves as a harbinger for the distinguished literary career that assuredly lies ahead for her. "Return to Modesty" is definitely worth a perusal, but it must be read with an opened mind to achieve maximum impact. Many sacred tenets of the left are shattered and those unwilling to reexamine their opinions should not waste their time on such a challenging deliberation.

Despite this, here are my major qualms regarding your book:

1. Women are not, let me repeat, are NOT responsible for "transforming" society. If you believe that by taking away more so-called freedoms from women (one of the notes in the back of the book says women "should not swear??" C'mon, that's getting ridiculous!), then eventually everything, including education, will be taken away from us. Since you are in touch with your heritage (Jewish), it is well known that men are supposed to be more responsible regarding moral conducts and codes.

2. This book should have been called "A Return To Modesty: For BOTH Sexes." I've already made my point clear. Do we wish to return to the times of the double-standard? If women are suddenly put on a pedestal, doesn't this give men only the excuse to do as THEY please? Let's not even go there. I NEVER want to return to those times, I'd rather suffer in this life with some sense of dignity (regarding my CHOICE to make the right choices), than to return to an era of double-standards!

3. I'm tired of people telling me that women need to change. Dammit, women have borne the brunt of "responsiblity" for far too long now. It's time that MORE men go to therapy, read self-help books, and try to be better human beings. Women are not MORALLY SUPERIOR. I don't believe that. Truth is, men have been SOCIALISED to act as they do (they are CONTROL oriented). This IS the main problem and has ALWAYS been the problem since the dawn of time!

4. I believe all human beings, male or female, are not animals. I believe that women too, can be sexually adept if they want to be. I believe the myth of the male who NEEDS to "spread his seed" is just that, a myth designed to excuse "male" behaviour. In essence, we are all spiritual beings and we all make choices for right or wrong. Let's not try to make women the "superior" gender here, shall we? As I said once before, the problem lies in how boys are being socialised, nothing more.