Most of us hear women complaining these days that the old school chivalry is dead in the 21st century. Well, how far is that true?
What Is Chivalry?
To begin with, we need to understand the simple meaning of the term “Chivalry”. The term goes back to the medieval era and is associated with the knights who maintained social, moral and religious code of conduct. After all these centuries in between, the meaning has evolved and altered and has gone through several controversies.
Laura Schlessinger, a famous American TV presenter had written in her book that “Chivalry is largely dead, and Feminism is the murderer.” If not to its entirety, it is true to some extent. Many feminist critics had earlier thought that chivalry proves women to be vulnerable and is a hindrance in the way of women fighting for equality. However, that is not true. The chivalrous way of being is not just respecting or extending helping hand towards women but also children and people in general. A woman, till date want her man to treat them well and that is it’s all about. And who said anyway a particular way of being is an obstacle for women’s equality in society!
What Does It Indicate?
The definition simply indicated that a man should know what he is doing and that does not mean he cannot do anything wrong. Knights in those days often got angry and rude and that did not indicate they weren’t chivalrous anymore. Their anger was only humane, so men these days reacting rudely to something unfair or unjust are as fair as the knights. Speaking up for the right cause has never been out of fashion, though many often mistake that as the projection of short-tempered behavior.
Women till date appreciate when a stranger offers her a seat in a crowded public transport, and that is not because women are considered weaker. It is simply to show respect to the opposite gender. Chivalry is all about small gestures like – paying proper attention when having a face to face conversation is very essential. It makes the speaker feel important. Another important factor is, to not be creepy with other women while being perfectly gentle with familiar women. Let’s face it, women remember EVERYTHING. She would perhaps make a note of a day three years ago when you had stared for too long at a woman in a departmental store. And that, no woman would stand. Fix that in your head to treat every woman with equal respect.
Chivalry is disappearing these days. But, no matter what the modern world has sort of replaced the knightly system with the gentlemen. Gentlemanly behavior is very much in fashion now. After all, who does not want a man to be polite and well mannered?