The lost art of chivalry

Have you noticed the severe lack of respect men and women have for each other now?  Women worked so hard to gain equality and although I think women should be allowed the same rights as men...I believe it's been taken too far and is affecting society.

As little as 30 years ago, men(and boys) were taught to treat women with respect.  That respect included opening doors for them, pulling out their chairs so that they could sit, walking on the street side of the sidewalk, being a person on your word, introducing the him/her to those you talk with, put him/her first in your life, or offering her your jacket when it's cooled off or started raining.  The overall thought of "modern chivalry," is that it's an attitude of respect, dignity and class.

Once again the last thought is becoming more and more of a lost trait.  I am a firm believer of being independent and self-sufficient...but I truly appreciate the efforts of a few that still hold the door for me, or offer to pull out my chair for me.  Anymore, men and women alike, have become self-serving.  The majority have lost all class.  They will only help those that can do something for them or those who can benefit them.  The younger generations have not been taught how to treat themselves with respect enough to have class.  I'm not talking about the social class, I'm talking about having enough respect for yourself that you demand to be treated with respect, dignity and yes, class!  

Here are some definitions:
CLASS - high quality; a collection of adjacent and discrete or continuous values or a random variable.
DIGNITY - the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed.
RESPECT - An act of giving particular attention, high or special regard.

Too many young people do not have a high regard/quality for themselves.  My own beliefs are that because of not being able to discipline children and being so worried about their psyches we are teaching our children to not value themselves and not to have values.  Moreover, even my generation has severe issues with chivalry.  Although some do have some "gentlemanly" traits, the majority do not.  Most of them, have not been taught and the baby boomer generation  fought so hard to break free of their parents generation; therefore they neglected to teach the young men and women how to have common courtesies and respect. 

I am slightly encouraged that some of the early 2000's generation are relearning these traits...it's still frustrating that my own generation has lost it.  Even though I personally have allowed others to treat me with disrespect, that is ending.  I am a person of worth, and are each of you.  Demand that others treat you with respect, dignity, and class.  It is your responsibility to also treat others with the same attention.  Teach your young people this lost trait and revive not only common courtesy but also chivalry.
~S~