Is "Chivalry" Sexist?

Been having a conversation along these lines with a couple friends and I figured I'd toss it out for board consumption:

Is Chivalry, as in giving women special treatment essentially for the sake of them being women, actually sexist and degrading to Women?

The discussion has been in regards to Women being the equals of Men, and thus needing to be treated as equals to Men, but then the social mores of "Women and Children First", etc., and the patronizing that follows therein (like when members of both genders play up women being "more emotional" [which I personally find demeaning to women]). Is this point of view wrong? Is Chivalry patronizing and not equal treatment of Women? Should you treat Women as you would treat Men in the same circumstances?

I believe treating all humans with kindness and equality unless I want to **** them, then chivalry.

Sexist? Not necessarily. For myself, offering, say, one's subway seat to a woman, is a gesture of kindness, same as offering it to, say, a senior citizen (would that be "ageist?"😉. People who object to this sort of courtesy, I suspect, have "self-esteem issues."

Men and women are equal in status, no question about it. But clearly, they are not equal, down the line, in each and every ability. There are also, it seems, many women who try to have it both ways. Eg, "I am your equal, but I still expect you to pay for dinner."

Originally posted by Mindship
Sexist? Not necessarily. For myself, offering, say, one's subway seat to a woman, is a gesture of kindness, same as offering it to, say, a senior citizen (would that be "ageist?"😉. People who object to this sort of courtesy, I suspect, have "self-esteem issues."

Men and women are equal in status, no question about it. But clearly, they are not equal, down the line, in each and every ability. There are also, it seems, many women who try to have it both ways. Eg, "I am your equal, but I still expect you to pay for dinner."

Chivalry is sexist- just not to women. Chivalry is basically sexism toward men.

edit- Hmmm. Actually, I'll think about it for awhile before giving a final answer.

Originally posted by Mindship
Sexist? Not necessarily. For myself, offering, say, one's subway seat to a woman, is a gesture of kindness, same as offering it to, say, a senior citizen (would that be "ageist?"😉. People who object to this sort of courtesy, I suspect, have "self-esteem issues."

Men and women are equal in status, no question about it. But clearly, they are not equal, down the line, in each and every ability. There are also, it seems, many women who try to have it both ways. Eg, "I am your equal, but I still expect you to pay for dinner."

Side note: I've never given anyone my seat after I sat down. **** them.

Originally posted by NemeBro
And what inequality necessitates giving a woman your seat?

Originally posted by NemeBro
Side note: I've never given anyone my seat after I sat down. **** them.

How do women have an intrinsically harder time standing up then men?

Weaker back muscles, makes balancing harder.

Also bewbs.

Originally posted by Mindship
Woman, elderly, disabled. A child, so s/he can sit next to mom. If I see someone I feel is going to have a tougher time standing out a trip, I offer my seat...unless I'm having one of my at-war-with-the-world moments.

So you believe a woman is just as physically disadvantaged as the elderly or the disabled?

You're not going to be young and cute forever.

Right on the first account, definitely wrong on the second. 👆

Indeed. "Cute forever" implies cuteness at one point in time.

'Bro has been an eldritch monster since conception.

I feel like this is one of those things that doesn't have a broad answer, just because every situation is different. The context and intent determines the answer.

Thanks for that, Dig.

Originally posted by Digi
I feel like this is one of those things that doesn't have a broad answer, just because every situation is different. The context and intent determines the answer.

Originally posted by NemeBro
Spoken like a true misogynist.

Yes, chivalry is sexist.

Gender equality does not include special dispensation or treatment for women.

Women can stand on public transit just as well as men.

I don't think it really matters whether it's sexist or not anymore, seeing as it's dead as ****.

Being a gentleman is too gay cliche for young ladies these days.

Originally posted by Tzeentch
Thanks for that, Dig.

Lol, what? You'd rather I stick my foot in my mouth with a half-baked opinion? For example...

Originally posted by Oneness
Being a gentleman is too gay cliche for young ladies these days.

Anyway...

Originally posted by NemeBro
Spoken like a true misogynist.

No, I'm racist, remember?

😉

I hold the door for women, so i can take a gander at their hineys.