Moms of boys: Are you teaching chivalry?By Kris HeyOrlando Sentinel(MCT)Call me old-fashioned, but I believe in raising my young son to respect females and have good manners.I believe the term is still around: chivalry, plain and simple.He is 10 now, but as long as he was strong enough to hold open a door for anyone behind him I have required him to. He holds the door for me. He holds the door for kids at school, for his father and people walking in Cracker Barrel. He opens my car door, sometimes with my key, especially if my hands are full.He also says “please” and “thank you.”I am not saying he’s an angel. He has had his moments, and I have written about those.But I think it’s essential for moms with boys to teach them good manners early on and to respect females and all others around him. If we teach our kids good behavior early, they have the best chance to be respectful and kind adults. Hopefully, they also will be less likely to treat females like objects when that time comes around. But, I can’t even begin to think about that time right now.Fortunately, dating is still at least five years away for him, but when he does ask a girl for a proper date I will insist he pay for everything. If it is a meet-up with friends or a girl invites him, then I think going dutch would be fine.What do you think? Moms, do you teach your sons chivalry? Or do you think chivalry should be a thing of the past?
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