Benevolent sexism and chivalry are counteractive to gender equality movement!

 A large number of people are fighting for gender equality. Men and women are biologically different and since time immemorial it is assumed that womenfolk need to be protected. It is felt that females are inferior to men and need someone to care for them. But the truth is that both men and women have their plus and minus points and they complement each other. Neither is superior or inferior and both need to be treated equally. But this gender equality has not been able to come into true existence to date. What is the reason for it?

Blatant vs benevolent sexism

Chivalry (Source: Forbes)

Sexism is when there is a prejudice against one gender who is considered inferior. In majority of the patriarchal societies worldwide, women are deliberately placed inferior. They are oppressed and not given their due respect. This is blatant sexism. It is also called hostile sexism because there may be associated verbal or physical abuse and violence. All this is derogatory. Women are not paid as much as men at workplace and the perks are less for her. In the Arab world, women employees do not get a proper single accommodation while male employees get a comfortable single accommodation of their own. The parents of the girl are not allowed a visa but the men's parents are given easy access into the country. All this continues to date. This is blatant sexism.

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As against this is benevolent sexism. In this, men oppress females indirectly. They behave protectively thereby enforcing their superiority. But they still consider women as inferior to men. Chivalry is an example of benevolent sexism. It started somewhere in Mediaeval Europe when a knight would come on a horse to save a lady. It was further enforced by romantic tales, films, and books such as Mills and Boons. All this was liked by women and they started imagining and hoping for such a chivalrous men in their life. But they overlooked the fact that it was still sexism wrapped in a good way and thrown at them. But they happily caught it and imbibed into their lives.

Current thinking trends on chivalry

Chivalry: good or bad? (Source: The Chimes)

As debates on chivalry and benevolent sexism emerged, more and more women do not want to accept sexism in this form. But men still think that it is gentlemanly to do so. Fathers, brothers, and lovers behave in a benevolent way but nonetheless are still sexist. They still think women are lower in status and needs to be guarded. 

But young women are resisting it. They feel that they are equal to men and need to be taken as human beings first. They should be paid equal to them and get equal opportunities and perks. They do not want chivalry in personal life but prefer equality in professional life and homefront too. But it has not happened. Why?

Reasons for gender inequality

1. The main reason is that most men want this gender equality to remain. Those men who are for gender equality truly are an insignificant number and their voice is not heard. 

2. Neither law nor professional bodies have done enough to enforce and bring in gender equality truly.

3. Films and books on chivalry that continue to be made and shown and read.

4. Many women are themselves happy with this inequality. Thus half the population of the world is divided on this important issue of gender parity. The women for inequality do not mind blatant sexism as well as the benevolent one. 

5. Society is hostile towards women who are higher or equal in rank to a male. And the law and police do less to help them. Women groups also have no great powers and the inequality continues to remain and thrive. 

The solution is for women to unite and have one voice so that law and society hears it and abides.