"Women and children first" was a
nineteenth and early
twentieth century social maxim directed mainly at white
imperial men. It held that
chivalric men should
die before they allowed a woman or child to meet a tragic end. However, it is debatable whether this still holds true or if it's now "
every man for himself".
Personally, I see no problem with the practice and I think it's sad to see it falling out of favor. All you have to do is remember John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."