Chivalry and the sinking of the Titanic

By Aussiegirl

The Titanic sank beneath the icy waters of the North Atlantic 94 years ago today. Of the 2220 people aboard, 1513 perished -- 80% of the male passengers died, but only 26% of the women. Why the difference? Carrie Lukas believes it was because of what may have become an outdated concept: women and children first. She also believes that chivalry is part of being a gentlemen, and, to quote her, Gentlemanly conduct isn't about women at all. It's about men and their sense of themselves. Very wise advice here.

Carrie Lukas on Chivalry on National Review Online

In Search of Chivalry
Did it sink with the Titanic?

Imagine a luxury liner sinking into artic waters with too few lifeboats for its passengers. Who would get those seats?

When the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, the answer was obvious: women and children had first priority. Why was this? Certainly, the male passengers could have over-powered most of the women and saved their own lives. What kept them from doing so?

Chivalry. The idea that part of being a man (and certainly part of being a gentleman) is to sacrifice willingly to protect those who are more vulnerable. Of course, all those aboard the Titanic were equally vulnerable to the near freezing water. The men who gave their seats in the lifeboats gave their lives. Out of all of the Titanic's passengers, 74 percent of women lived while 80 percent of the men died.

[...] All too often, women no longer honor chivalry, and men no longer give up their seats.

[...] Gentlemanly conduct isn't about women at all. It's about men and their sense of themselves.

[...] Resurrecting chivalry begins by remembering why it's important. Chivalry is part of a civil world. Women should welcome gentlemanly gestures, and graciously accept them with a thank you. I'll start by thanking the men of the Titanic, who 96 years ago gave up their seats so that the women could live.

COMMENT
Scribe said:

I had the occasion of viewing the movie "Titanic" (starrying L. deCaprio) with an Afghan refugee family. This film was the most popular film in Afghanisation during the Taliban.

There was a 14 year old girl in this family. When she was viewing the scenes in the movie where the men were sacrificing themselves for the women and children, she said: Why are they doing this? This is wrong. It makes no sense. The men should be saved. They are strong and will make new families and support them. Women and children are weak and can do nothing. Let them go down. You can always find more women and get more children."

I was dumbfounded. A Christian Lebanese was with me at the time and was also watching this film. After the girl spoke, he turned to me and whispered: "It's another mindset."