Men Engage in “Chivalrous Sexism” when Donating to Women in Need

Article here. Excerpt:

'A new study by Tel Aviv and Ben-Gurion Universities reveals a phenomenon of “chivalrous sexism” towards women in need. According to the study, about 2 out of 3 men (62%) would be willing to help a woman in distress whose house burned down – but fewer men (45%) would donate money to a woman whose business burned down. On the other hand, when the researchers examined the willingness of men to donate to other men, the trend that emerged was the opposite – according to which most men preferred to donate to men whose business was burned thus maintaining the male hegemony.

The researchers explain the differences by the fact that men tend to help women out of ‘chivalrous sexism’: helping a ‘damsel in distress’ is part of a men’s gender role, which is why a man will open the door for a woman or pull over to help her change a flat tire. But this help depends on the context: men help women if it does not challenge the male hegemony, in other words, if their help will empower women, then men will be less willing to help them.'