The word “chivalry” is derived from the French word chevalerie, which comes from the word for a mounted warrior. The word “chivalry” evokes images of knights in shining armor assisting fair maidens, gentlemen in suits helping ladies out of a carriage, and dashing men taking their dates out to fancy restaurants. However, this is no longer the case.

Both men and women have jobs and cars, so one gender shouldn’t be expected to go out of their way for the other. This is especially true for college students, most of whom carry some financial burden. If the girl just happens to have an extra meal option at the end of the week, who says that she can’t buy her date dinner at The Commons?

Even beyond college and in the professional world, men and woman are treated as equals. Since each party is financially and physically capable of taking the other out, there is no reason (other than a dated view on romance) for the man to be expected to take care of everything.

Women were once treated differently than men and viewed as the “fairer sex.” Men would first step into a bus to help a woman up and then off of it to help her down. Any modern commuter knows how unlikely it is for a passenger to offer up his seat for a girl, let alone help one on or off.

Chivalry is gone partly because manners are becoming a dying breed. It’s this new mentality of: Why should I hold a door open for the person behind me if the person in front didn’t? With people constantly on the go, common courtesies such as “please” and “thank you” have been forgotten and along with them, the idea that one should treat others with respect.

When people do exhibit nice manners, they do so for everyone, not just for the “fairer sex.” Holding the door open is considered polite if done for anyone, no matter the age or gender. The same is true with giving up your seat for someone or sharing an umbrella. Our modern society no longer dictates that we have to treat women differently simply because of their gender. With changing times and views on gender, chivalry is dead.

The opinions expressed in these pieces are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of Reporter.

Joi Ong