We have a 10 year old son in fifth grade—second year Webelo in the Scouts and altar server to boot. He has always been a gentleman. One of the most common comments we receive from his teachers is that he is so polite and treats the girls in his class with respect. As a result, he is well-liked by the young ladies at school.
He is always opening doors for me (or his sisters, ages 14 and 8) when we are out somewhere. It’s not something we told him to do. It’s just something that he has learned from observing the way his dad treats me (and other women like his mom or sister).
Years ago when my 16-year-old was about 8 or 9, we made a very rare trip to the mall. On the way in, I turned around to see why he wasn’t at my side and saw that he was holding the door for a group of teenagers that included about 5 girls and 5 boys.
The girls squealed with delight at the cute little boy holding the door for them when one of them swatted the teenage boy next to her, saying, “How come YOU never hold the door for me?”
That said, I’ve taught my boys to say this if they ever encounter a “Why are you doing THAT?”-type of feminazi:
“Ma’am, I am not holding the door for you because you are a lady, I am holding it for you because I am a gentleman.”
That usually shuts ‘em up.
Regards,
I have taught my two sons to hold open a door for ladies and the elderly. I have also taught them that if they get a classless response from a woman for holding the door open for them to flat out tell them: “I’m sorry ma’am, my Dad taught me to hold open the door for a Lady, he didn’t teach me how to recognize your kind.” and then walk off.