chivalry

if you want the sense without the masculine overtones consider courtesy, honor, high-mindedness, consideration, bravery, courage, civility, valor, fidelity, mannerliness. Sexist attitudes underlie the concept of chivalry. The belief that women need protection ("for their own good"), special courtesies, and kid-glove treatment results in superficial pleasantness but deep-seated discrimination, paternalism, and oppression. "Protectiveness has often muffled the sound of doors closing against women" (Betty Friedan, The Feminine Mystique ). Chivalry's message is that women are not the equals of men in most respects, and certainly cannot do certain heavy, dirty, dangerous (and high-paying) work. In 1915, Nellie L. McClung wrote, "Chivalry is a poor substitute for justice, if one cannot have both. Chivalry is something like the icing on the cake, sweet but not nourishing." See also lady (n.).