With the Titanic it was "Women and children in the life boats first" (setting aside massive lack of preparation for the event and locking 3rd class people below decks - despicable). Historically it would seem that this gesture is not based upon the presumption that women are weaker or inferior but are to be treated with greater respect. The "weaker vessel" in Bible language has been interpreted as being the nicer/finer of God's creation. The men were to drown first.