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Men were generally chivalrous as they were seen as women's protectors. This wasn't a feeling of equality. Women were perceived as being the "weaker" sex (both mentally and physically). Men were "superior" (or thought they were) and that meant that being protectors they took care of women. This also led to a certain callousness towards someone who was perceived as being lower than they were. Societal norms were for the woman to stay home and raise children. It wasn't until the 1940s when women started entering the work force in larger numbers due to the need for labor during World War II (when many of the employable men were drafted) that things started to move. It took years of hard work and litigation before the chance for women to finally move upward in an easier fashion started to happen. Many women will still tell you that the struggle continues.
As a side note, since this is in Tilted Sexuality, women's sexuality was also not really considered until the last 4 decades or so. Sex was something to be submitted to by the woman rather than a genuine sharing between 2 people. Some of the changes I mentioned above also coincided with women taking control of their own sexual needs.
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