An interesting article on chivalry, after the results of a new survey of women, was published in the Dominion Post on Saturday. I searched around, and found the original on the Telegraph website.
I'm not surprised that offers of chivalry can be viewed with suspicion. It's sad, but true. However, the very fact that these sorts of articles continue to be written (just try searching for chivalry online!) means that there is hope, and it might be that the younger ones will bring it back. I'm certainly training my boys to open doors for women, and the 11 year old really enjoys it.
Related link: Can manners maketh a comeback in the modern world? ~ The Telegraph
Chivalry – alive or dead? According to a new survey, it’s not only on a life support machine but there are legions of women queuing to pull the plug. Ninety-two per cent of women wouldn’t take a seat that was offered to them by a man. Eighty-nine per cent would refuse help with heavy bags. Even on a cold day, 78 per cent would not take a coat from a man.
So while I thought chivalry was an act of kindness dating back to medieval times, when noble knights led a life of gallantry, honour and courtesy, the researchers of an online sock company have put me right. In fact, chivalry is dark and sinister, a powerful reminder that men believe they are the stronger sex. A man who gives up a seat, pays the bill or walks on the outside of the pavement is actually signifying his belief in gender inequality. And the chap who opens my car door isn’t a well-mannered type but someone who is patronising my belief that I am quite hopeless without him, because I am a woman and he is a man.
“Men’s standards have slipped so far in recent years that any offer of chivalry from a gentleman knocks a woman off their guard and is viewed with outright suspicion,” claims Mark Hall of socked.co.uk.
I'm not surprised that offers of chivalry can be viewed with suspicion. It's sad, but true. However, the very fact that these sorts of articles continue to be written (just try searching for chivalry online!) means that there is hope, and it might be that the younger ones will bring it back. I'm certainly training my boys to open doors for women, and the 11 year old really enjoys it.
Related link: Can manners maketh a comeback in the modern world? ~ The Telegraph