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Chivalry - the bold, gallant and courteous behavior associated with knights and knighthood.

Many, many years ago, long before Barbie and Bratz pushed them into the adult world of models and makeup, little girls lived in the world of fairy tales. They dreamed of the day a gallant knight would rescue them from a tall tower guarded by a fearsome dragon or a handsome prince would sweep them away from a life of domestic drudgery.

For thousands of years women knew their place in the world. In the natural scheme of things, men were the hunter-gatherer's, women were the child bearers and nurturers. To keep this balance, men were physically strong, dominant and inherently protective of their women. Women were mentally strong, producing offspring for the continuance of the male line and taking pride in providing for his comfort.

Then came the World Wars, two in fairly quick succession. Men were needed to fight and in their absence, women had to move from their domestic role into the role of men.
Whilst the male population was being slaughtered on the battle fields, women worked on the land and in the factories, they protected their homes and their children from enemy...and they came to know their own strength.

When the men came home, diminished in numbers and damaged physically and mentally, they also faced an economic depression. They were unable to work, provide for their families and they also realized they had failed to protect them at home whilst fighting abroad. Food and provisions were scarce, houses were destroyed, families were killed.

The consequences of war had changed the dynamics of the male/female roles forever. No longer was the male the strong, powerful provider. The females saw their former selves as weak and subservient and realized that they had the ability to be an equal.

Woman began to demand equal rights, they became angered when men treated them differently than they would one of their mates. They looked on chivalry as a weapon man had used to keep them in their subservient role and responded accordingly and men, bewildered and hurt by their rejection, withdrew.

Chivalry (as such) has no place in an equal society. Maidens will slay their own dragons, and girls will walk out on domestic drudgery and get a job.

Good manners, however, should still stand. Males and females can open doors for each other, pay for each other's meals and help out when needed.

I suspect though, in every women's heart, there is a secret place that still feels a thrill when a knight in shining armor comes chivalrously to her aid.

Learn more about this author, M.E Ashdown.
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