Speedy Gonzalez
Written by MC senior, Tyler Faurot.
An article in a recent issue of the MC Sun makes the argument that because women are closer to equality than ever before, that there is no longer a place for chivalry in our society. The article depicts chivalry as a laborious task for men to take on that serves as a handicap to women, when not used as a strategy to “hook up”. I would argue this is not the case.
The article claims that chivalry is one of the many “pluses” of being a woman. As true as this is, I think men enjoy a much bigger “plus”. To put it plainly, women have it rough. Many deal with self-esteem issues because they can’t meet the impossible standards of beauty set by means of Photoshop and airbrush. Films and music videos depict women as mindless vessels whose sole purpose is to please their male counterparts. Astoundingly, nearly one-fifth of all women have been victims of rape or attempted rape in their lives. Not to mention a certain monthly biological phenomenon which men will never experience. While one can argue that women are monumentally more equal to men than before, to say that women have an unfair advantage over men is inconsiderate. I hardly think that getting a free meal is any consolation for the hardships women endure.
Chivalry is a courteous behavior that requires very little effort. It can be exemplified by anyone, through menial tasks such as holding a door open or paying for a meal.True, giving up your seat for a lady perhaps does not make up for a lifetime of being viewed as an instrument of sex, but it’s the least that we as men can do.
In short, chivalry is not an advantage that men give to women, but rather a means of atonement. It allows gentlemen to attempt to make up for the ills of society. If I am blessed enough to never go through what women have to, then I would gladly pick up the tab for every meal. I feel that until we see a day when women are universally treated with the same respect as men, there will always be a place for chivalry in society.
