With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, many single girls are thinking the same thing: where is my knight in shining armor? A common response to this question has been that chivalry is dead; we’re all just at an age in our lives where commitments and great men don’t exist. It’s about time we give a rebuttal to all the negative Nancies out there, there’s a chance that YOU may be the problem. That’s a very harsh statement and no one wants to hear it, but it’s become evident that college-aged women don’t always look at themselves and the personal growth they need to establish before letting in that great love.
Chivalry isn’t necessarily dead, it might just be that we’re all looking too broadly. There’s different ways to go about seeing what chivalry is because it doesn’t need to be someone you are romantically attached to or hooking up with. The most chivalrous of men can be your best friends, project partners, hall mates, even your dads. Guys who hold the door open for you on your way to Berk or take the time to listen to you when you just need a friend don’t need to do that, they’re doing it because they want to. They’re chivalrous, it actually exists!
We should stop looking at what we don’t have and start appreciating what we do have. There has to have been one male figure in everyone’s life that has proved that they’re not all the same. This Valentine’s Day I challenge all the single ladies to stay optimistic. Try to love the holiday and the idea that your knight is on his way and that chivalry definitely still exists. Your early twenties aren’t necessarily a time for anyone to be settled down, we’re all still growing and need time to be a**holes before becoming anything close to saints.
So Collegiettes, this is a challenge for you – chivalry isn’t dead, just learn to appreciate the men in your life. Concentrate on making those guy friends who will be your go-to on those lonely nights or will drive you to your favorite parts in Amherst to just talk for hours. They exist and the time you spend with them will be much better spent than time spent frantically looking for ”the one.”