Not long ago, chivalry was a concept that was grossly ignored. It was something that was known to literary scholars and history professors, but it didn’t seem to have any place in the world of business, sports, politics or relationships in the modern world. Women had been taught that displays of chivalry were demeaning and condescending,(remember women's lib) and men had come to believe that courtesy and respectful attitudes weren’t “manly.”
Recently, however, those ideas have changed. Current events and front-page headlines have made us all aware of how crucial ethical conduct and personal integrity are in creating a fair and functional society. New understandings of issues such as military ethics, political integrity, athletic scandals, gang violence, cheating in school and the work place,road rage and corporate accountability — not to mention the simple desire to restore a sense of tolerance, discipline and fair play to the world at large — have brought the ideals of chivalry and honor to the level of a national debate like never before.
People are realizing that the 21st century needs a Code of Chivalry. And people are realizing that anyone — men and women, teachers and coaches, students and soldiers, doctors and athletes — any one of us can be a knight in shining armor. And everyone of us should be.
Recently, however, those ideas have changed. Current events and front-page headlines have made us all aware of how crucial ethical conduct and personal integrity are in creating a fair and functional society. New understandings of issues such as military ethics, political integrity, athletic scandals, gang violence, cheating in school and the work place,road rage and corporate accountability — not to mention the simple desire to restore a sense of tolerance, discipline and fair play to the world at large — have brought the ideals of chivalry and honor to the level of a national debate like never before.
People are realizing that the 21st century needs a Code of Chivalry. And people are realizing that anyone — men and women, teachers and coaches, students and soldiers, doctors and athletes — any one of us can be a knight in shining armor. And everyone of us should be.
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