"Is Chivalry Only for Men? I don't think so, Ladies!"
By Jennifer Tardy. Posted on .
Whether a man is opening the door for a woman, sliding the chair away from the table so she can sit down, paying for her dinner on the first date, giving up a seat for a her, or simply allowing the woman to enter the elevator first, these are all common examples of chivalry. Whoever said chivalry was dead, clearly doesn’t live in the south where it is still alive and kicking. Every single day, I’m experiencing chivalrous acts by men—most of whom I don’t even know! This was beautiful to me—until I started reading some studies created around chivalry…
This concept of chivalry has really been the focal point of many studies done in the U.S. over the last few years. One study suggests that “chivalrous behavior is a subtle yet harmful form of sexism, known as benevolent sexism. The term was coined in 1996 by the first study of this kind, which showed that men who exhibit signs of chivalry often exhibit signs of hostile sexism as well (i.e. thinking of women as less intelligent, weaker creatures whose place is in the home)1.”
Even though this study is alarming, I am still not willing to have a traditional burial for chivalry. I still love and appreciate it. So this got me to thinking. There must be a way to have my cake and eat it too. That’s when the concept of the chivalrous woman came to mind. If studies are suggesting that men see us as inferior simply because they are being chivalrous to us, why can’t we simply return the favor and even the playing field—or at least get out there and play the game.
If chivalry is to remain, we have to adjust our actions and reactions, in some instances. Men want to see that not only are you appreciative of their actions but also that you are able to return the favor; you are able to become a chivalrous woman. No one is asking for you to throw down your coat so that he can walk over a puddle, but there are many ways in which you can still be that beautiful, feminine lady that you are and still show him chivalry. Below are eight suggested ideas!
