Can feminism
and chivalry
coexist?
BRONWYN MCCAHON
EDITOR, COSMOPOLITAN“Look, if a guy gives me his jacket or off ers me
a seat on a crowded bus, I’ll take it. Not because
I’m a poor, frail woman needing a man to protect
me, but because I’m actually cold or I’m carrying a
million things and a seat would be nice. Simplistic?
Maybe, but I don’t view an act of chivalry as an
attack on feminism – it’s a gesture. A nice one. As
a mum of two daughters, I will encourage them to dream big, smash glass
ceilings, demand equal pay and enjoy being treated respectfully by a man
who wants to open her car door. Abso-damn-lutely feminism and chivalry
can coexist, we just need to stop over-thinking it.”MICHAEL PICKERING @MENSSTYLEMAG
EDITOR, MEN’S STYLE“Those codes are ingrained in me and I still follow
them, whatever their chequered history. Feminism
has changed society markedly and for the better.
Many men who open doors or give up seats for
women also report to a female boss and likely
have a female partner who earns as much if not
more than them. In that context it’s ridiculous to
see chivalry as unable to coexist with [feminism].”TESSA BARRATT @SYDNEYFEMINISTS
FOUNDER, THE SYDNEY FEMINISTS“I don’t think chivalry can coexist with feminism
because, in essence, chivalry is sexist. It makes
men feel socially obligated to step in and do
things for women, regardless of consent or
capability. Instead, I think we should, as equal
human beings, be polite and compassionate
towards each other, off ering support when it’s
needed. Good manners shouldn’t be gendered.”DR CHANTAL BOURGAULT DU COUDRAY
LECTURER, GENDER STUDIES, THE UNIVERSITY
OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA“Feminists see chivalry as problematic because
ideas about protecting women can be seen as
an excuse for men to assume authority. [But]
notions of chivalry are potentially of great value
to feminism as new campaigns such as the UN’s
HeForShe demonstrate. These campaigns work
with men’s social conditioning to protect women.”SIENNA AGUILAR @SHENNA_AGUILAR
MEMBER OF THE EQUALITY RIGHTS ALLIANCE
YOUNG WOMEN’S ADVISORY GROUP“It’s one thing for a guy to open a door for a
girl, it’s another to actually understand what
‘respect’ and ‘consent’ look like in relationships.
Let’s get better at creating a society where
young [people] can listen to each other’s needs
as well as express their own. Initiatives like
respectful relationships education are a key
way to start the conversation.”MATT LITTLE
ACTOR, HOME AND AWAY“The two aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive.
Feminism is belief in equality, and chivalry is
about presenting human compassion, good ideals
and respect. I believe strongly in equality, yet I
still want to show a woman that I feel she is special
and treated as such, with respect and courtesy.
But I would hope to show the same compassion
to men as I do for women, with equal sentiment
and intentions of respect, not domination.” #Six people’s thoughts on the ultimate
quandary for independent womenCOMPILED BY REBECCA SLOAN. CORBIS; FILMMAGIC
COSMOQUESTION
COSMOPOLITAN July 2015 19
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