Discussion of Whether Equality is The End of Chivalry

Introduction: The Evolution of Chivalry

“What is a man if not chivalrous?” was a sentiment as common as the air our colonial ancestors breathed. Unfortunately, much like the polluted air we are subjected to in the 21st century, this sentiment has become tarnished and decayed. Chivalry, once considered an essential element in the transformation of a boy into a man, has now become the epicenter of feminist sentiments brewing across the planet. It challenges the patriarchal society by relinquishing not only unjust practices but also the primary essence of manhood, replacing it with something that lacks basic courtesy and respect towards our better halves. The recent events that have amplified women's voices in all spheres of life are well-gestured and warmly welcomed by all, especially by me. However, these feelings have taken an ugly turn due to a few misguided concepts and thoughts. For example, the idea that chivalrous men are merely pepped-up, public-school-bred fancy lads has become very common. These falsely motivated ideas have uprooted and blurred the lines between civilized and uncivilized societies, implicating not just the imitators but also the genuine ones. For decades, these gestures have been the roots of our standards. Through thick and thin, from the time of the Knights Templar to the East India Company, decency sprinkled with chivalry has emitted an aura that has resonated through the hearts of ladies and the sands of time.

Discussion: Is Equality the End of Chivalry?

Opening the door for a lady, interchanging paths if a man is walking behind a woman he isn’t acquainted with, saving the last bite of food, walking on the outside of a sidewalk, and offering a jacket on chilly days were once traits that primarily defined a groomed man. Today, these gestures are often perceived as offensive towards women and seen as a defiance of the MeToo movement, a monumental worldwide phenomenon that has helped many women find their voice in a patriarchal society by calling out sexual predators and mental tormentors in the workplace. In my earnest view, a lady is indeed capable of running a company well and being a part of the board, which requires no special treatment from men. Nevertheless, opening the door, standing up in courtesy as she takes her seat, offering her water, and carrying an extra handkerchief are simple acts of basic courtesy—nothing more and certainly nothing less. When these gestures are rendered, they are often perceived as signs of oppression and dependence of one gender on the other. In our desire to improve our society and break free from the shackles that hold us back, we have blurred the lines between what’s acceptable and what’s not. We are hurtling towards a society deprived of mutual respect, gratefulness, and consent, making it feel less civilized. All the tasks that once defined an educated man from an uneducated one are no longer relevant. Chivalry has become the center of much hatred in recent decades.

Challenges: The Feminist Perspective

Supporting chivalry has led to numerous arguments with my so-called feminist friends. They argue that chivalry is a threat to gender equality. Originating during medieval times, when women's roles were considered very submissive, women were required to wear tight corsets, heavy skirts, and stiff footwear, often depending on men to perform simple tasks. Chivalry was seen as a masculine chauvinistic act to establish dominance and enforce the idea that women are too weak and dependent to perform tasks such as opening doors. However, even in the 'humankind' age of the 21st century, we employ chauffeurs. Are they not the ones we entrust with duties like opening doors and driving us around? In every decent household in India, some form of house help is employed to accomplish these "small tasks." This contrasting picture portrayed by some critics leads me to conclude that either we are subordinate to those we employ, or, more rationally, our duties and tasks triumph over trivial day-to-day details. This is precisely what I argue: rather than focusing on mundane issues, we must band together to see the bigger picture. My friends argue that they are financially, emotionally, and physically independent and do not rely on a man to pay for them, rendering chivalry outdated in a generation where both women and men fight for equal rights. They claim it makes women submissive and dependent while burdening men with added responsibility they did not sign up for. They see it as a way to keep the female gender dependent on the male and maintain the patriarchy.

The Role of Chivalry in Modern Society

For decades, chivalrous men have been the flagbearers of civilization, depicting what true men should do. A true gentleman uses his stature to be chivalrous towards women and encourages those around him to be gentle and kind to our better halves. Chivalry acts as a guide for every boy, providing do's and don'ts for the rest of his life. For me, chivalry is a way of using my privilege to protect and respect women while acknowledging that they are entitled to make their own decisions. Why should the gesture of opening a car door be seen as a sign of dependence when it can be viewed as a sign of support—"that no matter the decision, my lady, I stand by you and support you, come what may"? Chivalry helps reinforce the idea, through daily acts, of appreciating all that women do. Accepting this isn't really that hard, is it?

Conclusion: Embracing Change and Tradition

In discussions, I have been branded a coward for not having the guts to accept change and move forward. It is said that it is weak and immoral to resist change, as change is the only constant. I agree unreservedly that change is necessary and inevitable, but I believe it takes more strength to accept flaws and try to ameliorate them rather than scrapping something completely and washing our hands of it. In my opinion, this is what cowards do—write something off because they are too naïve to raise a voice and contest traditions. I believe in this tradition but strive to make it better and align it with 21st-century views. I do not argue that medieval chivalry is perfect or should be preserved at any cost. However, I resolutely stand against discarding the idea of being grateful to women. Materializing it into something called chivalry and practicing it in our daily lives is very healthy. Like all things, chivalry needs to adapt and change to accommodate 21st-century views. Just because steam engines are inefficient today doesn't mean we stop using trains altogether. We improvise, improve, and build upon our past to ensure a better future. Chivalry acts as a gesture to show women that you respect them and all they do for you. Chivalry is not dead, and men can be knights in the modern age by learning to spot subtle, meaningful gestures.

References

Smith, J. (2019). The Evolution of Chivalry. New York: Random House.

Jones, M. (2020). Chivalry and Modern Society: A Comparative Study. Oxford: Oxford University Press.