Romance without regret
Lakeshore students learn about chaste lifestyle
Ashley Guay
Published on
May 16, 2008
It's more than abstinence, it's chastity.
Some may think that chastity simply means not having, sex but it's more than that, says Jason Evert. Having a chaste lifestyle brings freedom, respect, peace, and romance without regret.
This is what Evert has been telling students from high school all the way to university for nine years.
"It started with leading retreats and being a crisis counsellor to pregnant teens. I would look at a girl and think, 'Why hadn't I met her when she was in the eighth grade?'"
Evert spoke to Grade 9 and 10 students from Lakeshore Catholic high school on Thursday May 8. Residing in San Diego, California, Evert spends 10 days out of each month speaking to teens across North America.
His "romance without regret" talk elicited a lot of laughs from the students, as he shared funny stories from his past.
"The teachers never told us what the assembly was about. But this is really good, very funny," says Grade 9 student Aleaha Zampaloni.
Evert assured students that he wasn't preaching that sex was bad, but that they should set standards for themselves.
"Your future wife could be across the world right now with another guy. Would you want her present boyfriend to be trying to manipulate her into sex? Then why not set that standard for yourself right now?" he told the filled auditorium.
Evert also spoke on things girls could relate to such as the way they dress.
"If a girl is dressing immodestly, she is taking away some of the mystery surrounding herself and is more likely to be objectified by boys."
Another Grade 9 student, Sarah St. Laurent, thought Evert's message was good.
"He's kind of funny, but has some very good opinions and a strong message."
Evert said that after each time he gives a talk, kids line up to talk to him personally about their own problems.
"A couple of years ago in New York I gave a talk and after so many kids were lined up that it took seven hours to get through all of them."
He also said that he believes he gets through to teenagers.
"I have kids who e-mail me months and years later thanking me for speaking at their schools and telling me what a difference my talk made to them."
At the end of the talk, Evert handed out copies of his booklet, Pure Love, and cards that students can keep in their wallets that say they are waiting to have sex until marriage.
"Its beautiful to hear a positive response to my message because it's a message of hope. It's all about loving yourself the right way."