Medieval chivalry is best defined as an aristocratic ethos that prescribed what qualities and attributes a knight ought to possess. Medieval chivalry has influenced modern and romantic conceptions of honor, especially military honor. Modern chivalry now is defined as men opening the door for women, holding the umbrella, paying for dinner and things like that. But can females be chivalrous too? Men should open the door for women and pay for dinner but it should go both ways and women should be able to open the door for men, pay for dinner, and pick men up from their houses sometimes too. I know a lot of people are uncomfortable with women taking on roles of men but times are changing. Women are not only more likely to be the primary caregivers in a family but they are also increasingly the primary breadwinners. 4 in 10 households in America with children under 18 have women as the sole or primary breadwinners. So with that being said I think if a women can take on the primary job of a man (to make the most money) then she can also be chivalrous too. I’m not saying that women should be treated as guys. We should still be respected as ladies. But is it possible to be respected as a lady and still share equal roles with men without looking manly or bossy? Or vice versa?
To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school…it is to solve some of the problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically. – Henry David Thoreau
I enjoyed this perspective. From your experience, do you think most young women would like chivalry to go both ways? Are you actively chivalrous?
ReplyDelete