Viewpoints: Has the chivalry ship officially sunk?

By bridget.gamble@marquette.edu

January 19, 2012

The 4,300-passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground off the Italian coast on Friday.

When Costa Concordia capsized off the Italian coast Friday, passengers described mass chaos: men pushing past children in attempt to board lifeboats first, men and women fighting over lifejackets, and elderly women being left to fend for themselves.

Newly-released infrared film footage shows crew members securing their own lifejackets before passengers were even notified of the ship’s sinking status. Since the death toll has risen to 11, the ship’s captain, Francesco Schettino, has been subjected to mass criticism for refusing the Italian Coast Guard’s orders to assist in the evacuation, then ”tripping” and “accidentally falling” into a lifeboat.

But according to the (very ambiguous) laws established by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, none of the above scenes described are illegal.

Beliefs that “women and children go first” and “the captain goes down with the ship” are mere social conventions mainly upheld by Americans and Brits. In most European countries, these notions do not exist.

Men who boarded lifeboats before women during ship evacuations in the 19th century were deemed “cowards” by society, and after being publicly shamed a few times by news reports, they adopted the prioritization of women and children. Writers of the times called this act “pure manhood.”

Daniele Perruchon, a 68 year-old woman who was aboard the Costa Concordia when it capsized, says she saw no examples of this manhood from fellow passengers.

“At no time did anyone come and help us,” Perruchon, who was traveling with an 80 year-old friend, said. “We felt abandoned. So much for women and children first.”

Our chivalrous conventions–even those regarding life-and-death situations–are falling to the wayside, leaving us to wonder: Is the entire chivalry concept a thing of the past?

7 Responses to “Viewpoints: Has the chivalry ship officially sunk?”

A Man said:
January 19th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
“women before men” it’s bullshit
women in everywhere want to be equalized with men and when we do they’re complaining!!!
just stay in the kitchen and shut the hell up
Brian Lindsey said:
January 20th, 2012 at 6:14 am
Hallelujah!!! I am jumping for joy to see true gender equality, for the first time in my life.

This is fully justified payback for the women’s studies reps who conducted the “date rape” seminar I was subjected to in college. The two women in charge ended their performance with a teeth-bared, red-faced, screaming crescendo of false allegations, bolstered by invented stats, directed at the men in the room.

I also hope to see some dead females coming home from this; it will be a refreshing break after a decade of men returning in coffins from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Roger Hornsby said:
January 22nd, 2012 at 2:49 am
Feminism killed chivalry.
terry said:
January 25th, 2012 at 4:10 am
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Ashamed said:
January 26th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
I’m 14 years old, male and I would help anyone who needed help regardless of gender or age. This isn’t about being “a man” it’s about being human. Running past children and taking life jackets from smaller or weaker people (of either gender) is pathetic. Wanting people you’ve never met to die is beyond sick. This is a tragedy for everyone involved and you’re using it to spew more hate.
Eric M. said:
January 29th, 2012 at 10:20 am
Feminism has insisted on equality. The message has filtered into society’s collective consciousness. Per equality, women are not permitted to receive preferred treatment. The core feminist argument is no special or preferential treatment based on gender (sex).

Hence, feminism is wholly against women first. The disabled, children, and elderly first (in that order). Beyond that, per feminism, every man and woman for him/herself.
David G. said:
February 10th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Chivalry died when the knights were relegated to the tournament grounds. Common human decency, however, did not. In this case I firmly believe that it is the duty of able bodied men and women alike to help the children and the elderly. To the “man” who posted first: Who are you referring to when you say “…they’re complaining”? The 68 and 80-year-old women? How absurd! I would like to see you climb out of a ship at a 45 degree angle when you are 70. I don’t know where are of these commenters are from, but it is absolutely infuriating walking around Marquette and hearing some of the terrible things that I do. Racism, sexism and downright ignorance are all too present in class and on the streets. Chivalry may be dead but human decency is not. However, it does seem that you guys are trying to kill it.