The meaning of being a gentleman has changed over the course of time. When you are speaking historically, the title of being a gentleman was not originally based on the action of a man, rather it was a given birthright.

Men with parents that were wealthy and had a good social standing would be considered to be among gentleman. During this time period these gentleman did not work to achieve the wealth and status they had, but instead the title became more or less inherited through their family name and origins.

Over time, the meaning of gentleman began to change and evolved into something quite different. It was no longer just used for those men who were born into nobility or prominent social status.

It had adjusted to also include the men who had worked for their own prosperity, yet also displayed values of hard work and leadership. It then turned into a term that was used as a polite way to describe a man of character.

The term gentleman has of course, changed over hundreds of years, however now it’s used to describe the actions and behaviors of a man. The historical influence of social status has shifted far from the traditional nature of what it means to be a gentleman.

21st Century – What Does It Mean To Be A Gentleman Today?

Then you get to the 21st century which we’re at right now. In the 21st century being a gentleman is based on a man’s values, morality and honor. It means that a man will devote his life to a superior standard of conduct. This does not mean that they feel as if they are better than anyone else; it just means that they hold themselves to a high set of standards.

Things such as men who are polite, calm, and considerate at are the cornerstone for defining what it means to be a gentleman. The most common perception for a gentleman is a man who ensures that he is chivalrous towards women. The term attaches itself to men who are courteous and treat women with respect. Gentlemen are attentive to what a woman wants and needs, yet in the same regard they understand their own value and purpose.