Is Chivalry Dead? Hear From A Female Student’s Perspective
“Chivalry is dead!” Your friend cries as she throws herself on the couch in defeat after yet another bad date. She then proceeds to tell you how her date was late to pick her up, had no plans for the evening and even asked her to pay for her portion of dinner before dropping her off and speeding away before she could get to her front door.
You think to yourself: what even is chivalry to begin with? Did your friend expect to get picked up on a noble steed or saved from a high castle tower? Or did she just expect her date to treat her with kindness, intention and respect?
According to Merriam-Webster, Oxford Languages and the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of chivalry is a religious, moral and societal code adhered to by medieval knights. The ideal qualities expected of such a knight are courage, honor, courtesy, kindness, justice and a readiness to help the weak or those in need.
In modern times, the only way to become an official knight is to work your way into the good graces of British royalty, and even then, it usually only remains as a formal title. Did chivalry truly die with the last of the crusading, princess-saving knights in shining armor from centuries past?
Good news! You don’t have to be a knight to be chivalrous.
Times have changed and so has the definition of chivalry; according to Miriam-Webster, the modern definition people think of when they hear the term is an honorable and polite way of living. This often pertains to the way in which men should treat women, with the utmost respect and honor: like a lady.
What does chivalry look like today? In my opinion, it looks like adhering to common human decency as a man to ensure women, children and the weak or vulnerable are taken care of, even if there is no romantic or familiar attachment.
Some examples include lending a woman your coat if she is uncomfortable, keeping her on the inside of the sidewalk, giving piggyback rides over mudpuddles, carrying her things for her and speaking to her with respect and polite manners.
Furthermore, a modern knight might help an old woman across the street when others are impatient, keep an eye on unsupervised youngsters playing in the street, or entertain the children of an overwhelmed mother so she can pay for her groceries in peace.
But if you’re feeling especially heroic, running after a thief to return something to a woman you don’t know is always a standout gesture, just make sure you’ve been doing your cardio!
Chivalry is not dead, but it is dying. How much of this behavior is commonplace among modern men? Most women would be grateful, if not thrilled to see only a few of these traits in men. Chivalry is about selflessness and leading by example, putting others first in everything that you do, regardless of what they mean to you. This isn’t just a historical expectation, but also a biblical one. In my experience, young men are typically concerned with themselves, their friend group, and maybe their girlfriend if they have one; and if they treat said girlfriend “well,” they consider themselves chivalrous. Opening her car door or pulling out her chair at dinner may be thoughtful, but these things are only one aspect of true chivalry.
Chivalry must be taught — just as the knights of old have set a good example for us today, it is important that that example is passed on to newer generations. Our younger siblings watch our every move, they see how we treat others and how we allow ourselves to be treated; being a good example starts early, within our own homes.
It is extremely important to set an example that will benefit the younger generation in the future, or the overly self-centered culture we live in will take over and chivalry will truly die.
Valiant knights are a thing of the past, but their example doesn’t have to be.
Barber is the opinion editor for the Liberty Champion.
