by David Braybrooke

Created on: March 06, 2007   Last Updated: March 01, 2011

Chivalry is still alive and well, yet it has been tempered by the reshaping of modern life and its changing ideals.  The strong knightly figures of times past whose quest it was to protect and serve venerated damsels have long since been replaced with a much gentler equality.  The 20th century saw the rise of a global brand of feminism which heralded the restructuring of gender roles forever.  Women were at last being freed from the shackles of the past and were starting to reclaim a sense of identity as they began to demonstrate the reality of a feminine power base.  Whereas men were granted permission to feel internally, along with expressing emotional issues in a much greater capacity.

The classic male/female paradigm was given a new working and as a result some of the more traditional behaviors were reorganized. The act of a man behaving protectively towards the ladies was no longer seen as being so imperative.  The former dangers of times past were fast being replaced by a much more rational thinking society that steered away from the well-used aggressive modes of behavior commonly seen in past ages.  Peace reigned and the daily lives of all seemed more assured.  The classic role of male as protector soon became replaced with a belief that either gender could be responsible for their own protection and safety. 

It is also fair to point out that many 'modern gals' don't wish to be waited on by men.  They can easily open their own doors, in all senses of the term, thankyou very much!  The demonstration of chivalry may even imply a certain outdated servitude to some and an almost uncomfortable display of manners.  The days when men ran after their beloved 'princesses' and catered to their every whim, as portrayed in some of the classic, almost mawkish, black and white films, are now long gone and the behaviour displayed in these dated storylines would seem like an embarrassing cliché to many modern thinking people.

Chivalry does still exist but has certainly been redefined as simply showing good old-fashioned common respect and therefore doesn't need an overlay of gender distinction and role playing.  It is more about considering others and offering a helping hand where appropriate, in a civil manner.  The knights may be gone but their codes of kindness and consideration live on in the small, loving acts performed by many unassuming individuals. 

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