Double standards on sexism need to be addressed

FOLLOWING a recent radio debate, I find myself asking, is chivalry dying because it is sexist?

In an age where women are claiming men dominate politics, business, and so on, I wonder if chivalry is unfair on men.

Personally, I have no trouble holding the door for a woman, or giving up my seat on the bus, but is it just a blatant double standard? If there was a debate on radio, on whether or not women should open doors for men, and give up their seat on the bus for them, would we not have every woman in the country causing uproar? The tag of being sexist is branded on men in Ireland far too easily, and it is never used when describing a woman’s behaviour. Sexism is the discrimination of an individual based on gender, not just the discrimination of a woman.

I would like the women of Ireland, the next time a man holds a door open for you, to ask yourself, what would you think if you were expected to do the same for him, or any other man? The same type of sexism can be seen in other aspects of society, for example, domestic abuse.

Also, regarding discrimination in the work place, male bosses are always accused of discrimination against women, while you rarely hear of cases involving a female boss diminishing the rights or role of a male employee, which does happen.

So, is it now the case that men are more marginalised, and discriminated against in society, and not women? The balance of equality may be shifting.

Justin Kelly

Edenderry

Co Offaly