Junior Youth

Junior Youth

History of Things Guys Traditionally Do For Girls...?

I am helping teach the guys in a junior youth group about manners this weekend and was looking for some historical references on things guys do for girls... the list we have so far is below so if you have any history for why guys traditionally do this or if you have any others, please let me know!

Hold a door open for her
Walk closer to the street than her
Pull out her chair
Open and shut her car door
Carry her Books or heavy items
Offer her your seat in a crowded room or bus
Hang up her jacket
Stand when she gets up from the table
As for this being sexist behavior, we do plan to mention that some people feel that way now so you have to be careful and all but since it's a church youth group we also want to relate it back to the Bible with verses like Luke 6:31 which says to treat others the same way you want them to treat you. Just like everything else in life, some will be offended by it, some will expect it, and some won't have a clue!

I know the specifics on one. Walking closer to the street. Originally it was done so that mud didn't sling up from carriages and the like and dirty the woman's dress; and it also keeps her safe from being struck (again going back to horse and carriage days).

Many of the others that you mentioned date back to the Knights and “chivalry” or at least are a variation on that theme. The Knights had many “duties” or codes to live by. There were three main areas of virtuous codes. They included bravery, treatment of the poor, etc. One included how to behave around and towards women.

“Duties to women: this is probably the most familiar aspect of chivalry. This would contain what is often called courtly love, the idea that the knight is to serve a lady, and after her all other ladies. Most especially in this category is a general gentleness and graciousness to all women.”

Knights were the most brave and "tough" men in their era, and yet they held treating women with respect and gentleness as sacred. Hence the code of "chivalry."

Nava Ghalili Junior Youth Interview