Chivalry is one of the most important characteristics that define a man. The manner in which a boy treats a girl is one of the most important aspects of how he is as a person. Nevertheless, as this is not the essence of the contemporary model of masculinity, most men do not present this characteristic, and those that do, usually have it because of their upbringing. In my case, my father taught me that chivalry is essential for a man; my mother showed me how important it is to treat a lady and scolded me harshly when expectations were not met. While many people may think this is a form of discrimination, I believe that it is better described as a valorization of women.
During many years, especially during the Middle Ages and almost into the twentieth century, chivalry was the social norm. A division between men and women has always been present in society, which responds to variations between sexes that are generally visible. Nevertheless, this recognition of variations has taken different tones along time: from hostility to surrender, which was essentially what happened in the courtly love movement. In our times, it is much easier to find a man that denigrates and is aggressive towards women, than one that respects and loves them. In our times, differences are hardly tolerated, and even the media pulls in this direction, frequently showing us women being used as sex objects, abused and placed as inferiors with respect to men. As with other minorities, they are frequently put down in favor of the white, heterosexual norm.
Therefore, treating a woman well actually goes against social standards. This is outrageous for me! Both of my parents always taught me that women should be treated with the upmost respect, and I try to follow this as much as I can. Do you know how all fathers have phrases that they repeat once and again? Well, mine’s was: “Women should be treated as with a rose’s petal”. Even when I was little, one of the things I remember is my father coming home unexpectedly with flowers, opening the door for my mother, giving her his jacket when she was cold, etc. My mother enjoyed this without abusing his confidence. Even though my father always did this, without fault, I do not think my mother would have gotten angry or protested if he would not have been so chivalrous now and then. However, she did think that this is the way women should be treated. Even when I talked about my “girlfriends” as a 7-year-old boy, she asked me how I was treating them, and reminded me that they were to be treated as perfect as possible. One day she caught me talking harshly to my second girlfriend; when she left, my mother called for me and we had a long discussion on how women should be treated and if I thought that was the way things should be. My parents were the models that gave me this worldview that is so important for me.
However, many people could think that this is a form of disguised sexism. I have been told many times that the differential treatment of women is always wrong as they are equal to men. While I agree that women are equal to men in many respects, I do not believe there is anything intrinsically wrong in assuring that they are treated with honor and respect. I am completely against the discrimination of women as the word “discrimination” has negative connotations. Nevertheless, I believe that if you try to erase the differences that are inherent to men, it will finish in complications because you are trying to ignore something that is completely evident. However, if one tries to recognize these differences in a good way, in a way that benefits minorities, I do not find that there is anything wrong with this. I actually believe that this is positive as it is helping those in need.
In conclusion, I believe that chivalry is a tradition that should be taken up again as it benefits half the population. The contemporary avalanche tends towards the denigration of women and their treatment as objects. Chivalry is a way to go against this mistreatment; plus, it is what I was brought up with and I still hold this worldview to this day. While many people may refute this, saying that it is a form of veiled sexism, I believe that this is actually beneficial because it treats others positively. The ignorance of difference actually leads to segregation, as it tries to cut everyone with the same mold. In this sense, I think that if everyone were to take chivalry up once again, it would be very beneficial.
Sample Creative Writing On On Chivalry
Type of paper: Creative Writing
Topic: Social Issues, Women, Discrimination, Family, Parents, Thinking, Treatment, Chivalry
Pages: 3
Words: 800
Published: 03/26/2020
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