Chivalry is not dead. Yet. If we aren’t careful it might become dead soon, but for now it is not. Or so I believe. Girls are always complaining that there are no nice guys left and all boys/men will screw you over eventually. But we are also the ones who refuse to let the door be held open for us or allow someone to press the button on the elevator when we come running in right before it closes. Chivalry was not intended to be a way of overpowering someone. Any girl who reads a story tale will know this. If we are not careful ladies, chivalry will be dead, and fairy tale endings will become myths of the past only seen in movies such as "The Notebook" and "Cinderella."
The definition of chivalry goes back to the middle ages, to describe a knight who is courageous, honest, had honor, and always a willingness to help those in need. If you have seen A Cinderella Story, you might remember the scene when Hilary Duff (Sam) walks into the locker room after being embarrassed about the emails she was sending between her and prince charming, aka Austin Ames. She held her ground, and told him that even though she had absolutely nothing, she had everything because she still had her dignity. She did not allow herself to be run all over by someone who was higher up than her. He failed to be her chivalrous knight in shining armour after the Halloween dance, and she told him that on the outside he might look good, but on the inside she saw he was obviously a coward. We also all know that at the end, he comes and admits he was wrong, and they do end up having their happily ever after. She is a key example that it is okay to have a knight in shining armour, but to also stand for what you believe in and want.
It is okay to stand up for what you want and believe in, but it is also okay to be helped or to have someone else with you along the way. That factor will not take anything away from your independence, or your woman hood. It is okay to keep chivalry alive. Chivalry is not false hope, it is a dream. Please do not kill the faith, dreams, and anticipation of future love we have from our childhood as young girls.
