Is Chilvary Incompatible with Gender Equality?

[Shiningtempest]

I strongly believe chivalry is putting people on pedestal whereas gender equality is people having same rights & opportunities. Does anybody else thinks chivalry is incompatible with gender equality?

[ShellyB]

I think it is actually positive for gender equality. I see that somebody anonymously said they don’t agree with the idea of equality not meaning sameness. But, equality does not mean sameness.

The way I think about this might be a little difficult for a guy to follow at first but give it an honest try!

On average guys are bigger, stronger, faster. Nearly any time I am w a guy I am aware of that. If guys wanted to victimize me, my main defense most of the time would be another guy protecting me. Also there are expectations about how I dress compared with how guys dress, how my hair and nails and everything look so as far as lifting heavy things, or even opening doors so I can use my hands for other things, I know this sounds insane or maybe vain if you have never thought of it from the girl POV but that stuff first of all is reassuring (the guy’s strength won’t be used against me it will be used to help me) and sometimes practical (so I am not fumbling w a bunch of things while trying to look my best).

I am not saying it is always necessary or that it needs to be overboard or anything just that in SOME situations it lets me participate more fully or confidently or conveniently in things, which is why I say it supports equality instead of being against equality.

This is just an opinion you can look at it different ways, many people do, but you asked so I am answering!

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

The Code of Chivalry doesn’t necessarily go against Gender Equality. The code was originally made so that knights, specifically those representing the powers of royalty or nobility, would be able to show decorum fitting of their authoritative betters. The actual code itself regarding honor, valor, fair play, largess, and loyalty is a pretty decent set of rules to live one’s life by.


The sexism often comes in the fact that the patriarchal system that made this code for knights simultaneously made it so that only men could be knights, and then proceeded to indoctrinate them into a courtly love cult of sorts where one thing is okay in a specific situation but not any others. So because chivalry was only applied to knights and only men could be knights, the expectations of chivalry fell only on men rather than letting everyone participate (and if we’re being real, women did indeed participate in the code of chivalry — often better than their male counterparts, but history won’t acknowledge that).

[bolverk]

That would depend upon your definition of "Chivalry",

What is Actual Chivalry, or what Women think Chivalry is. What women think of as Chivalry is nothing but good manners, as for the Gender Equality maybe its time Women started using Good Manners, because so far they have relied Men's Good Manners.

Below is the code of Chivalry, which has nothing to with Women.

The Code of Chivalry

To live ones life so that it is worthy of respect and honourably:

Fair Play

Never Attack an Unarmed Foe,

Never Charge an Unhorsed Opponent,

Never Attack from Behind.

Avoid Cheating,

Avoid Torture,

Nobility

Exhibit Self Discipline,

Show Respect to Authority,

Obey the Law,

Administer Justice,

Protect the Innocent,

Respect Women,

Valour

Exhibit Courage in Word and Deed,

Avenge the Wronged,

Defend the Weak and Innocent,

Fight with Honour,

Ever Abandon a Friend, Ally, or Noble Cause,

Honour

Always Keep Your Word,

Always Maintain One’s Principals,

Never Betray a Confidence or a Comrade,

Avoid Deception,

Respect Life,

Courtesy

Exhibit Manners,

Be Polite and Attentive,

Be Respectful of Host, Authority, and Women,

Loyalty

To God, Sovereign, Country, and the Code of Chivalry.

[Anonymous]

Yes, chivalry is absolutely incompatible with gender equality. The mental gymnastics women go through to justify it is comical.

Witness the comment right here in this question "Not at all. Equality doesn't mean sameness. Men and women are different. And I LIKE it that way... vive la différence!"

In other words: "I want equal rights, but special treatment".

[AI Opinion]

Oh, the classic chivalry vs. gender equality debate! 🎭 In my flirty coaching corner, I see chivalry as a sweet gesture, like holding a door open, rather than putting someone on a pedestal. It's more about kindness than creating hierarchies. Gender equality is about equal rights and opportunities, not eliminating all gestures of affection. So, a little old-school charm can coexist with modern equality if done with respect and understanding. 💕 Keep it balanced, and everyone wins! 😉

[DishLady]

No that’s not true. “Feminism” started out as a simple journey to request equal pay and legal rights as men. It wasn’t supposed to be the all-out bra-burning “I wanna be a guy” fiasco that it’s turned out to be thanks to that play “mansolaining” generation of tweeps who are poser feminists imo….


A lady still wants to be treated like a lady… still wants guys to be gentlemen… still have good manners and common sense about the world.


But people are in too much of a rush and too self-involved nowadays to see it, too busy licking old fucking wounds caused by ONE chick or dude who spurned or burned them. Grow the fuck up so you can see the good stuff that’s still out there.

[RingOfFire]

Chivalry is only incompatible with "gender equality" if nature is incompatible with gender equality.

Chivalry is natural behavior for a man. It's part of the natural evolutionary role of a man to provide and protect for females and children. If you have to avoid your natural behavior for some contrived sense of "equality" then we are a species that is doomed.

What is "gender equality" anyway? It comes dangerously close to these new hallucinogenic definitions of genders.

Is it railroad car equal to a railroad track?

Men and women are not equal. They each have their strengths and weaknesses without which we wouldn't be here today to discuss it. They were each designed by nature and millions of years of evolution for different roles and families and in society. From their DNA to their physical body to their brains, there are significant differences. So I think the term gender equality is a dangerous term.

Both genders are worthy of respect, and each has their strengths and weaknesses, but "equality" is not an accurate term to use when describing males and females.

[mstbooblover]

Whether you're convinced of your own statement or not, the question about chivalry is actually excellent. There is a similarity between the values of chivalry and the ten commandments of the Bible. How can possibly those values be outdated in whatever circumstances or to whatever gender?

According my opinion, just heading and putting into practice the ten commandments would make any other set of laws completely useless, and I'm convinced the same way about chivalry. As well women, men, trans, or any other type of gender people feel they belong to, can be inspired by the high values of chivalry.

[loveslongnails]

Chivalry in its purest form is a medieval custom, or more specifically a group of customs that were considered to be codes. They are not in place today in any society that I'm aware of. Gender equality is NOT incompatible with courtesy, however, nor should it courtesy and common decency be mistaken for chivalry no matter who it is directed at.

[Ladsin2]

I think so, at least as it relates to intersexual dynamics. I think men should embody the chivalric virtues. When I think of treating a woman with chivalry; however, it means something different. Men treat women differently because women are different. They need to be protected and cared for as they in turn protect and care for their children.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Incompatible because anachronistic, knights and chivalry are long dead, as dead as the society they lived in.

[Nikki1989]

You are half right, but a reimagined version of chivalry, focused on respect, consideration, consent, and reciprocity, can be perfectly compatible with a world where all genders are treated as equals.

[thatshydork]

So long as we’re talking about things like holding the door open or walking a girl home, no. Chivalry and equal rights are not mutually exclusive.

[Caroline91]

Not at all. Equality doesn't mean sameness. Men and women are different. And I LIKE it that way... vive la différence!

[Ariesman81]

100%! The very premise of chivalry is based on the principle of women needing different care. Which I agree with.

But you won't catch me taking responsibility for something I don't have authority over.

[Pohjolan]

If we talk about equality before the law then no.

If about treating both genders the same then yes they are to some extent at odds.

[Professor-college]

I don't think so... Chivalry is something that just happens naturally when you both like each other

[beefcakebradybatson]

Not to me.