We just finished learning about the Middle Ages in my World History class. The last thing that I wanted to squeeze in was aimed exclusively at the young men in my classroom: chivalry. Too often we, as men, have thrown away manners and common decency in favor of a personal sense of pride or selfishness. Guys, it seems, especially at Madison, don't have as much respect for gals as they should. They call them names and make fun of them. This is, I believe, a product of the culture in which they are growing up. It needs to change. Simply opening the door for a girl or letting a woman in front upon entering a long line - it's the small things that go a long way. It shows that we, as men, care. We are willing to sacrifice our own pleasure for the betterment of others. It used to be like this. Kind of. Perhaps the tales of the chivalrous knights are a little embellished, but it's still an important ideal to embrace. There needs to be a culture change. But I have no idea how to begin it...
Being a positive example is surely a small stepping stone.
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