Is Chivalry dead because of evolutions of gender roles Essays

Is Chivalry dead because of evolutions of gender roles Essays Is Chivalry dead because of evolutions of gender roles Essay Is Chivalry dead because of evolutions of gender roles Essay Is Chivalry dead because of evolutions of gender roles? Name: Institution: Is Chivalry dead because of evolutions of gender roles? Knowledge on chivalry leads men to treat women differently than the way they would treat other men (Altermatt, 2001). Chivalry is present in different actions such as acts of generosity and kindness, and what most people would consider good manners. It is a mark of integrity, courtesy and honor (Campo 2002). Many people advocating for the equality of the sexes continue to struggle with the idea of chivalry. On one hand, the women want the men to act like gentlemen, and, on the other hand, they want the men to recognize them as equals in everything. Chivalry involves men’s effort to provide for those under their authority, which in most cases are the women. It involves taking care of the women in all matters including physical safety and courteous treatment such as pulling for her a chair when dining. It also includes treating her right and showing her kindness, such as offering to pay for meals, without asking her to foot part of the bill. However, some feminists insist on gen der equality on everything. They insist on footing part of the bill when dining, and doing other tasks for themselves since they are capable of doing so. The rise of this behavior has led some of the men to reconsider their attitudes towards women, by letting them have their way. Thus, men have become reluctant to pay for bills and other expenses. The rise in feminism and a call to equality led many women to join the workforce, and they took on roles that were originally carried by men. They desired economic freedom, and they did not want to depend on men for everything. The women desired to be accorded the same treatment as men as they wanted to seem independent, strong, and of equal importance to men. They competed with men for job positions and for promotions in the work place. This new desire contrasted deeply with women’s traditional roles. Because of the new roles, men no longer regarded women the same way. The women no longer had the desire to be cared for by men in terms of providing for them. With the women focused on placing themselves on the same pedestal as the men, men abandoned their original roles. Women had proved that they were capable of taking care of themselves, and they did not need the men for economic support. Men find it hard to provide for the same women they compete with in different sectors (M anhood Academy, n.d.). Men began treating women as equals in everything, and this signified the beginning of the end of chivalry. The trend has continued, even as more women seek to acquire education to the highest level, and they seek the executive positions in the work place. Some women are of the idea that the exercise of chivalry if a form of discrimination. They are of the idea that men treat them differently because they are weak and chivalry is a way of undermining them (Altermatt, 2001). In an attempt to dispel such notions, women have gone to the lengths of proving that they are not weak, and they can do the same things that men can. Therefore, they expect men to show them the same level of politeness in all areas that they would show other men. Although there has been a change in gender roles, much of this change has occurred on the part of the women. The society no longer considers the women to take care of the home. Many women are in the work place and they have gained employment with the purpose of helping their husbands and their families, and not necessarily for the sake of competing with them. Many men continue providing for their families today. They continue being the protectors and providers of those under their care. Such men continue tr eating women with dignity and honor. They observe a code of behavior with the women, which they would not show with the men. Therefore, this shows that chivalry in deed continues to exist in modern times, despite the change in gender roles. References Altermatt, W. T. (2001). Chivalry: The relation between a cultural script and stereotypes about women. Retrieved from http://vault.hanover.edu/~altermattw/research/assets/AltermattDissertation.pdf Campo, G. (2002). Chivalry is not dead. Retrieved from http://hermetic.com/casa_del_campo/chivalry_is_not_dead.pdf Manhood Academy. (n.d.). The principles that govern social interactions. Retrieved from http://manhood101.com/principles101.pdf