Are you of high moral character? "What fun is that?" you ask. Let's look upon this as a cycle of sorts. If you respect yourself, then, of course, you would want others to respect you. For others to respect you, you must respect them. Look at the birds and the bees... they respect each other... (how do you like this transition?) SEX.

By being virtuous, one holds the opposite sex in high esteem. Of course, one holds one's own sex in high esteem too. Through the practice of the yamas of non-violence, truthfulness, and non-stealing, one is able to develop a virtuous being. One develops a healthy respect for the complete person of body, mind, and spirit.