Chivalry is an outdated notion of the past, women are independent

Published by adviser, Author: Hannah McLaughlin - Commentary, Date: November 14, 2013
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The other day I had a discussion with one of my guy friends about if chivalrous acts are still necessary in this modern society of ours. He argued that men preforming these acts of kindness for the fairer sex is all in good taste and that it’s part of the male psyche to protect women from the horrors of the outside world.

With the strength of 10,000 angry bulls, I had to restrain myself from giving him the verbal beat down of the century. I am so incredibly sick of hearing that women need help and protection. The last time I checked, I could open my own car door, take a coat off all by myself, and I am most certainly capable of buying the next round of beer when out with the guys. To imply otherwise is just insulting.

Women are not dainty creatures who need help crossing a puddle on the sidewalk. We can pay for ourselves and we don’t need assistance pulling out a chair at a restaurant. Men shouldn’t be giving up their seat on the bus for a woman who is standing.

If I choose to wear uncomfortable shoes out, that’s on me. Some poor fellow shouldn’t give me his way too big Nikes so I can flop around in them while he wears his socks; that’s a lose- lose situation. The same goes for girls who don’t wear coats when it’s 26 degrees out. That was your decision and now you need to deal with the consequences of your action. Taking a jacket from someone smart enough to wear one is unfair to that person, regardless of how much they insist.

I’m not saying that we should all be inconsiderate jerks to one another. But doing something nice for someone just because they’re female isn’t helping anyone. There’s a difference between having basic manners and feeling obligated to go out of your way for someone based on their gender. Personally, it boils down to this; if you wouldn’t do it for a man, don’t do it for me.

To quote Lena Dunham, “The idea of being a feminist—so many women have come to this idea of it being anti-male and not able to connect with the opposite sex—but what feminism is about is equality and human rights. For me that is just an essential part of my identity.”

6 COMMENTS

  1. I disagree. Though I understand that women are perfectly capable of doing all of these things for themselves, a true gentleman does these things not because he thinks the woman is incapable of doing them, but because he WANTS to. It is just common courtesy for a man to hold open a door for a woman. I think lots of guys these days have lost sight of what it means to be a gentleman and that has led many ladies to expect less of the men. To sum up my argument, there are many things I wouldn’t do for a man that I would certainly do for a lady, but let’s not go into details there.

  2. RIP Chivalry. Cause of death: Feminazis
    It’s becoming a lose-lose situation for guys. If you don’t give up your seat to a girl, you’re considered rude. If you do give up your seat to a girl, you’re considered an anti-femite. Maybe guys were raised to treat women with respect? I’m not sure why you are against that.

  3. You should treat everyone with respect. That’s exactly the point this article is making. It’s not about doing something for a female its about being a good person. If you give up your seat for someone it should be for a reason other than they’re a “poor innocent female in need and distress” because that is not the reality.
    Give respect to everyone, regardless of gender — that’s exactly what this piece is saying.

  4. I disagree. Though I understand that women are perfectly capable of doing all of these things for themselves, a true gentleman does these things not because he thinks the woman is incapable of doing them, but because he WANTS to. It is just common courtesy for a man to hold open a door for a woman. I think lots of guys these days have lost sight of what it means to be a gentleman and that has led many ladies to expect less of the men. To sum up my argument, there are many things I wouldn’t do for a man that I would certainly do for a lady, but let’s not go into details there.

  5. You should treat everyone with respect. That’s exactly the point this article is making. It’s not about doing something for a female its about being a good person. If you give up your seat for someone it should be for a reason other than they’re a “poor innocent female in need and distress” because that is not the reality.
    Give respect to everyone, regardless of gender — that’s exactly what this piece is saying.

  6. RIP Chivalry. Cause of death: Feminazis
    It’s becoming a lose-lose situation for guys. If you don’t give up your seat to a girl, you’re considered rude. If you do give up your seat to a girl, you’re considered an anti-femite. Maybe guys were raised to treat women with respect? I’m not sure why you are against that.

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