Post by Dragon Spirit on Feb 7, 2009 13:46:13 GMT -5
Everyone knows what I'm talking about, right? Where guys try to go out of their way to do stuff for girls. That's chivalry. In truth, I don't know the details about what guys are supposed to do. But in concept, do you think it's is flawed, or a good idea?
I've heard two arguments for it. One is that girls naturally do more than guys, and guys are naturally lazy, and so chivalry is designed to make sure that girls can relax a bit more while guys do a bit more for once. (I'm putting it in harsh terms, but you get the idea)
The second argument for is that women are more or less treated as objects in modern society, and so chivalry is trying to rectify that by honoring women.
I thought the first argument was good, the second argument not so much. I see where both are coming from. However, I have one problem with chivalry that I encounterat school almost every day. let me recount a quick story.... I was holding open the door for my class as we went into the school chapel (I remind you, I do go to a Catholic school). One of the guys takes the door for me, and I thank him, assuming he's just being nice. However, then he says something to the extent that girls shouldn't open the door for guys, and so begins our door-opening feud.
This boy, as well as many other boys in my class, refuse to go through a door if I open it for them, simply due to the fact that I'm a girl. I mean, if one of them opens a door for me, I'm fine with it and am gracious and say thanks. But if the roles are reversed, then they simply won't go through. I'm trying to do something nice (which is odd), and they refuse to accept this good-intentioned act. By the properties of chivalry, I say it shouldn't entail something like this. Rather, chivalry should entail them going out of their way to hold open the door for everyone else, a totally different thing.
I've heard two arguments for it. One is that girls naturally do more than guys, and guys are naturally lazy, and so chivalry is designed to make sure that girls can relax a bit more while guys do a bit more for once. (I'm putting it in harsh terms, but you get the idea)
The second argument for is that women are more or less treated as objects in modern society, and so chivalry is trying to rectify that by honoring women.
I thought the first argument was good, the second argument not so much. I see where both are coming from. However, I have one problem with chivalry that I encounterat school almost every day. let me recount a quick story.... I was holding open the door for my class as we went into the school chapel (I remind you, I do go to a Catholic school). One of the guys takes the door for me, and I thank him, assuming he's just being nice. However, then he says something to the extent that girls shouldn't open the door for guys, and so begins our door-opening feud.
This boy, as well as many other boys in my class, refuse to go through a door if I open it for them, simply due to the fact that I'm a girl. I mean, if one of them opens a door for me, I'm fine with it and am gracious and say thanks. But if the roles are reversed, then they simply won't go through. I'm trying to do something nice (which is odd), and they refuse to accept this good-intentioned act. By the properties of chivalry, I say it shouldn't entail something like this. Rather, chivalry should entail them going out of their way to hold open the door for everyone else, a totally different thing.