Kindness, manners and politeness. Three of the most imperative factors bolstering the greatness that is humanity. It becomes so easy to get caught up in our own problems that we tend to forget that a whole world of people exists outside of our bubble that have issues of their own. The result? A generation of people that have overlooked the importance of basic human kindness and manners. The problem is, the pervasive issue of self-centered individuals has made it increasingly rare for people to carry out kind gestures, or “chivalry.”
As the younger generation inherits an increasing role in shaping the popular culture norms of tomorrow, there has been a growing controversy over whether “chivalry is dead” or not. Collectively, we must return to the golden rule of treating others how you would want to be treated, before chivalry goes from dying to extinct.
The meaning of chivalry has evolved throughout the years. Originally coined in medieval times as a staple of “knightly romance,” old-fashioned chivalry was the social ideal that a gentleman should pridefully uphold standards of honor and courtesy for women as highly as he would fiercely battle in combat. “Modern chivalry” refers to simple gestures of everyday kindness, politeness and respect, regardless of the person’s gender.
Part of the problem is the ambiguous definition of chivalry. When one thinks of chivalry, they will often picture a heavy-handed male-to-female gesture which can potentially be interpreted as a threat to a woman’s independence. In reality, being chivalrous in today’s world does not mean that whatsoever. Society has long since progressed from the outdated, patronizing implications of old-fashioned chivalry, and gender equity has undoubtedly allowed for women’s autonomy over their own lives.
The reality is, the meaning of chivalry today has hardly anything to do with gender.
With the necessary advancements in human rights and equality, we must also adjust our view of chivalry as nothing more than sincere kindness and manners. Today’s meaning of chivalry is to hold the door for the elderly. Saying good morning to your peers with a smile. Offering to grab something for someone while you are standing up. That is simply being a decent human being.
Anyone can be chivalrous. Everyone should be chivalrous. And it needs to become welcomed and encouraged by society, not perceived with ill-intent and doubt. It is nothing more than a kind gesture, and kind gestures are a timeless art that should never become obsolete. The minute chivalry “dies” is the minute that humanity loses its soul, the minute that humans pivot from compassionate and kind to cynical and jaded.
As part of the human race, we must not turn our back on chivalry. So please, the next time you have the chance to do something nice for someone, do it, and the next time someone does something nice for you, thank them. Trust that each gesture of chivalry you enact will uphold the values that keep human kindness alive- and that will make all the difference.
