Originally Posted by
Seamus_Jameson
Ah, this topic touched a nerve. Chivalry. Yes, indeed, I feel that it is being thrown by the wayside. Frankly, this makes me so angry that I literally see red. That there is an entire generation of young ladies being raised on the idea that they are supposed to lift their own luggage, hold their own doors, and pay their own way is inexcusable. The message is clearly conflicted: if you act like a woman, you are weak, i.e., there is no honor in womanhood--on the other hand, if you act like a man, you are a strong woman, an asset to your gender.
Could the message be made any clearer? Woman are trash! If you want to be a "REAL" woman, you had better forget about being vulnerable, soft, gentle, sweet, submissive, etc. And this attitude robs young girls of their womanhood. They are not being taught how to be strong, successful woman. Despite what some feminists might want to believe, there are real differences between men and woman. These girls will never be better at "acting the man" than men. They are doomed to a game in which they will always come out the losers.
The problem, IMHO, is that young woman aren't being taught how to use their own power--the unique power women hold over men--to achieve their ends. Instead of being taught to demand the respect their sex deserves, they are taught to revile it.
Sadly, the lack of chivalry doesn't diminish the desire for it. Woman who disdain appearing "weak" still want to be respected and cherished by men. I am afraid we (the young 'uns) are part of a generation of woman, emotionally unfulfilled, with no idea how to get their womanly needs met (and secretly ashamed of them, to boot).
Eh, yeah. . . back to the question. I concur with Trey. The way a man treats a woman is part of what makes him a man. I was raised in the Southern United States and I'm Christian. I'm no saint, but I truly believe that woman are a gift from God and that I'll be giving an account for my treatment of them come judgment day.