Knights in shining armour anyone?
Is the concept of male chivalry still relevant in today’s day and age?
The ladies certainly don’t deny it especially since it has an old world charm about it. Chivalrous men seem to be a dwindling breed. Yes, we are talking about the whole ‘opening the door for your lady’ kind of man. Maybe the fairer sexes brought it upon themselves – fighting for equal rights and their place in the society. Nonetheless, it is heartwarming when a man stands up when a woman excuses herself or refrains from cursing in the presence of a lady, isn’t it?
Take the recent example of Hollywood actor Dennis Quaid. His relationship might not have worked out, but it sure looks like his divorce did. The actor, in all his chivalrous generosity, has now bought a multi-million dollar home for his partner of eight years, Kimberly Buffington-Quaid, despite applying for a divorce in December. With scandals cropping up every day, it is indeed refreshing to see a man care about a woman so much, isn’t it?
Ask ad-guru Prahlad Kakkar about the relevance of chivalry in today’s day and age and he laughs, “I thought it’s extinct. Men have been taught to be chivalrous and they are practicing it without understanding the very meaning of it. They open doors and pull out chairs for women, when they are in their best behaviour. Many men do it for the woman whom they are hitting on,” he opines. Prahlad also brings up a very valid point — are men chivalrous to all women? “It counts a lot when men are chivalrous even when they are under stress and provocation. The most precious thing that a woman possesses is dignity. When men are chivalrous, many heinous acts against women will be stopped,” he says.
A lot of habits kids imbibe are almost always from their parents, says Chennai-based filmmaker and college student Pranav Rajkumar. “In our family, we have always been taught to respect women. I learned to be chivalrous from my dad. What I reckon is some families are still instilling the virtue in their sons and many families have changed with time, which have made men less chivalrous. According to me, well-educated men are generally chivalrous and they know how to treat a woman,” he points out.
The ladies maintain that men are still chivalrous. Arthi Anirudha, model and wife of cricketer Anirudha Srikanth says that men are willing to learn, “The concept of chivalry is picking up in India. I feel respected when my husband or my friends treat me that way,” she remarks. Independence is also a very deciding factor, feels Pradhayini Sarvothaman, a model from Chennai. “Girls love to be independent but when a man is evidently chivalrous, he indeed earns a brownie point. Abroad, when men find women standing behind them in the queue, they allow the women to go first. But that doesn’t happen in India. When a boy finds a girl walking with carrying a lot of bags and when he simple offers to help, nine out of 10 girls would just say no. Boys should just not stop with being courteous, but they should put in some effort. The approach should be changed,” she concludes.