Chivalry teaches men
Chivalry from men does not damage the progress of gender equality. I believe chivalry and gender equality are mutually exclusive terms. While chivalry refers to behaviour and conduct, gender equality is a state of society. Chivalry teaches men to respect women and to support them. It enables them to incorporate an element of soft skills in the definition of an ideal man. It is not just about opening doors, but also about being a good team player in the lives of their women. Chivalry can only further the cause of gender equality, not hamper it.
From Mr Priyavrata R.
UAE
Show respect, no social norms
While a social code of conduct dictates that a man should give up his seat or hold open the door for a woman, how much of this is actually genuine? There are many people who would hold the door open for a woman in front of other people, but slam it in her face when no one else is there to see.
It is only common courtesy that if an elderly or unwell person is in need of a seat, we should give up our own. This isn’t, or rather shouldn’t, be restricted to men only.
If we want progressive equality, then it should unanimously be preferred that men learn to treat women with respect, not necessarily by holding the door or offering their seat, but by valuing a woman’s opinions and standing up for them when their capabilities are ridiculed.
From Ms Aasha Eapen
Dubai
Being civil
Chivalry is really part of the evolvement of human society and roles. Women are the treasury of the family – they give birth and nurture our offspring and men have the role of the provider. Being well-mannered is not a weakness and women accepting courtesy does not detract from their status.
Women have entered all professions on Earth, from astronauts, pearl divers, brain surgeons, bus conductors to film directors! Every occupation you can think of, women are also doing. Manners make society more agreeable and it oils the wheels of human contact and getting along in the hurried and complex world we live in.
I enjoy opening the door for the person coming behind me and keeping it open for a person approaching the exit. It’s a small gesture of kindness that keeps human society functioning. Giving up my seat for a woman or an older person is civilised and an agreeable interaction between one human and another. It neither detracts from the male ego nor does it diminish from a woman’s status if they politely and graciously accept. As a bonus there is a feel-good factor, an altruistic reward for being polite. As my parents taught me: manners cost nothing. After you.
From Mr Keith Lupton
Dubai
Not hindering
Chivalry is often overrated and it can be applied to both genders. Giving up a seat for a woman is a simple act. Violating the rights of a woman should be stopped and every woman should be able to live safely and securely in this wide world. It is my opinion that expecting chivalry will only enhance, not hinder, the progress of gender equality.
From Mr Bindu S.
UAE
We are all equal
I feel that the tradition of opening doors for others was for those who weren’t strong enough to do it themselves. I think that we should be polite but also know that if someone is capable, they should find their own chairs and open their own doors. When you stop doing this, women will stop expecting it to be the norm. We should give equal opportunity in this way and I think it would give everyone a chance in progressing human development. It’s not that we aren’t willing to give others the best, but rather acknowledging that we are all equal.
From Mr Jayakrishnan N. V.
UAE
Ladies first
Not only should we open the door for a woman, men should go behind them when climbing stairs and in front of them when going down the stairs. In case she were to slip down or fall, you would be able to help her from falling. That is what I learnt during my life in the air force. Always respect women and children because they are the flag bearers of the next generation. So is the case when a ship is wrecked, women and children are saved first.
From Mr Thomas Manimala
Ras Al Khaimah
No effect
Men often offer their seat on the bus and train to women, but women never offer their seat. Despite this, both men and women are showing the same level of success in various walks of life. It is not damaging to gender equality.
From Mr Ragavan Krishnamachary
Bengaluru, India
Shows weakness
Chivalry goes directly against equality. It assumes that women are weaker and therefore need more in terms of a seat or a held-open door.
From Mr Garry Dow
UAE
Unnecessary, but shows kindness
Every woman, irrespective of her age, would love to be treated like a queen, whether at home or outside. The instinct of men to help and protect women through simple gestures was a foundation for ethics for a long time. Although it started long ago, it still has relevance today, just not in the same degree as originally intended.
Nowadays, women compete in all spheres, some which were reserved for only men in the past. Women work as taxi drivers, pilots and in oil rigs. The fact still remains that women are physically the weaker gender while they are mentally just as strong. So I think we have to keep this tradition alive by keeping open doors and offering seats.
These acts emanate out of courtesy and lose their sheen when demanded as a right. In a crowded metro, offering a seat for a woman is not that easy when you are tired or if you need to travel more. There is a fine line to be drawn here. Women have to understand that the seats will be offered only as a courtesy, even though there is an unspoken social rule.
Beyond the gender difference, we should all be trying to improve ourselves by helping people without any gender bias. A sick man would require more attention than a healthy woman and hence, commonsense is more important than chivalry.
From Mr Murugesh
UAE
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