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I think I am probably wrong but I believe it's because the men traditionally stayed behind on a ship to help save it. But I may have made that up!!
Posted: 22:44 Mar 24 2002
Titanic Question
I sat and watched 'Titanic' with my daughter this evening, at her request.
Not the greatest film, no, but that's not the point.
She was engrossed to the point of hands over the mouth, tears at the appropriate time, several 'Oh no's!'.
I have never seen her react like that to a film before.
But ... she also had a *lot* of questions (and those who know my daughter know how this goes
)
The prompt for this thread was something she asked me. "Mum, why do the women and children get saved before the men? Is it because women can make babies and make humans continue?"
I said 'I think so.'
I may be being naive, or just plain dumb, but ... is it? Is that where the rule for women and children first comes from?
Anyone??
Not the greatest film, no, but that's not the point.
She was engrossed to the point of hands over the mouth, tears at the appropriate time, several 'Oh no's!'.
I have never seen her react like that to a film before.
But ... she also had a *lot* of questions (and those who know my daughter know how this goes
)The prompt for this thread was something she asked me. "Mum, why do the women and children get saved before the men? Is it because women can make babies and make humans continue?"
I said 'I think so.'
I may be being naive, or just plain dumb, but ... is it? Is that where the rule for women and children first comes from?
Anyone??
9 Replies and 2074 Views in Total.
Posted: 22:44 Mar 24 2002 
I thought it was because the men were supposed to be the tough ones and women were treated like ladies. Even now men hold open doors for women and such.
Posted: 22:46 Mar 24 2002
Basically I asked Len this one as he's a bit of a history buff (would you believe!) and basically it comes from the Victorian era of women being the weaker sex!
As men were seen to be the stronger they had more of a fighting chance to save themselves etc etc blah blah and if they couldn't then it was to do with dignity and honour!
As men were seen to be the stronger they had more of a fighting chance to save themselves etc etc blah blah and if they couldn't then it was to do with dignity and honour!
Posted: 23:56 Mar 24 2002 Some men
by Miss Edith
I thought it was because the men were supposed to be the tough ones and women were treated like ladies. Even now men hold open doors for women and such.
As to why its save the women and children I have no Idea I think it's quiet and interesting subject and from what has already been said I believe it probably has something to do with women being the so called "weaker sex" although having said that I don't think having to indure Labour as being the weakest of things to do
Posted: 07:06 Mar 25 2002 I'm sure there's some bitingly witty comment I could make here about politics, but I can't think of it right now...
by Sweet-Sange
(quotes) I don't think having to indure Labour as being the weakest of things to do
I think the 'women and children first' thing was simply part of an antiquated and simplisic notion of the duties of a gentleman... chaps couldn't look other chaps in the face if they'd saved themselves at the expense of the fairer sex who, as every chap knew, was gentle and fragrent and helpless and quite unable to save themselves.
Although I do wonder if noble gentlemen were still prepared to apply the rule if it was a choice between themselves and some crabby, grubby old bat from third class rather than between themselves and a duchess's daughter...
Posted: 07:19 Mar 25 2002 
I think it has to do something with the fact that women and children aren't very easily able to get into the lifeboats etc. Where men are presumed to 1) run faster so be the first ones to arrive at the lifeboats (ooh chickens 
) This would mean that the people that needed help getting into a lifeboat (can't be easy in one of those silly dresses (if they get wet you drown because they are that heavy but stripping down to something less covering was "not done"). Thinking about it as a woman you can't swim due to the clothes you are wearing you aren't allowed to strip down.... Than you better get a seat in a lifeboat also with the dress you need helped in, and a mother leaving her kid behind not very likely.
Than there is the man are stronger and might be able to help with some other stuff etc. And these rules where also made up in time that the gals where uhmm really the weaker sex. Not allowed to vote only allowed to work in the house etc... Well to compensate for that you get a chair to safety
) This would mean that the people that needed help getting into a lifeboat (can't be easy in one of those silly dresses (if they get wet you drown because they are that heavy but stripping down to something less covering was "not done"). Thinking about it as a woman you can't swim due to the clothes you are wearing you aren't allowed to strip down.... Than you better get a seat in a lifeboat also with the dress you need helped in, and a mother leaving her kid behind not very likely.Than there is the man are stronger and might be able to help with some other stuff etc. And these rules where also made up in time that the gals where uhmm really the weaker sex. Not allowed to vote only allowed to work in the house etc... Well to compensate for that you get a chair to safety
Posted: 09:29 Mar 25 2002
yeah i'm pretty sure its as they're seen as the weaker sex, bit sexist really.
Posted: 09:52 Mar 25 2002 
Well that was society in those days... women were seen as the weaker sex. I tend to agree with the majority here on this one...
I saw the last half hour of "Titanic" last night before putting Hannah to bed, and the most heart breaking part of it for me was the mum and her two children lying on the bed in one of the compartments as the ship went down... how horrifying must that have been?.. and also when they were searching for survivors and they moved aside the frozen body of a mother with her frozen baby in her arms
I saw the last half hour of "Titanic" last night before putting Hannah to bed, and the most heart breaking part of it for me was the mum and her two children lying on the bed in one of the compartments as the ship went down... how horrifying must that have been?.. and also when they were searching for survivors and they moved aside the frozen body of a mother with her frozen baby in her arms
Posted: 12:11 Mar 25 2002
This stems from the victorian era. Funnily enough i read an article about the first time "woman and children first" was ever used the other week.
Me and my silly brain cant remember the name of the ship now tho but it was around the 1900's when a ship was sinking and the captain called for woman and children first.
For more info i suggest going to the daily Mail website and searching for the article. it was a couple of weeks abo now but it could be archived there.
Me and my silly brain cant remember the name of the ship now tho but it was around the 1900's when a ship was sinking and the captain called for woman and children first.
For more info i suggest going to the daily Mail website and searching for the article. it was a couple of weeks abo now but it could be archived there.
Posted: 12:13 Mar 25 2002