what do you think of manners?

Question

I went to a family reunion this past Saturday. I had noticed that my children were the only children there who waited thier turn and said please and thank you. My brother had made the comment he wished his kids were as polite as mine but said nothing when his daughter said " GET ME A DRINK" ...I think it's pretty important for children to talk to others with repect!!! Don't you? And do you think it should be taught more in school?

Answer 1

I think a lot of the problem in America's "leave MY kid alone" philosophy. In most of the world, a rude or misbehaving child will be corrected by any nearby adult. For instance, a child running in a shop will be (gently) grabbed, admonished, and held until retrieved by its parent. Try that in USA, and an angry parent will punch you call the police on you.

Second, people in USA have to work so much longer hours than people in Europe, so there is not very much family time. Children spend all of their time with children their own age, rather than in mixed ages groups where the elder teach the younger social skills.

About schools, I think that schools should EXPECT and REQUIRE children to be courteous, but not that it should be part of the curriculum. Teachers are already burdened with functions that should really be performed by social workers, public health workers, police officers, and so on. Don't add more to their burden.

Answer 2

I so agree, hopefully your brother will read this, so his darling daughter doesn't continue to set such a lovely example. For anyone to ask for something without a please is appalling. Manners of course should be used in school, but it's at home where children truly learn them. LIke it's home where they learn to steal or not steal, to tell the truth or be liars like there parents. And the whole point of manners isn't to act better then someone else, its to be courteous and kind, and if that isnt taught with the manners the manners are pointless.

Answer 3

I have that experience, On my child's report card I said that it was refreshing to see a child as nice and polite as she is. I did not realize until then that children being polite is no longer the norm now-a-days. As for respect in school. I work in a school and I tell you that children in middle school anyway, need a good butt beating. I think you can teach respect all you want in school, but if it is not taught at home you will not get very far in school.

Answer 4

Manners should be taught at home, by the parents. Parents should start teaching them to say "please" and "thank you" when children are young and should continue to reinforce good manners for all social interactions throughout children's lives. My child used "please" and "thank you" as early as 2 years old. We have built on that foundation and now most people remark that she is the most polite child they have ever met. Why? Because we set the example for her and we expect it of her. If she forgets to be polite when asking for something, we don't give it to her until she corrects her request using good manners. If we need to feed her the words to say in social situations, we do. We are preparing her to succeed in life and to be well received by others.

Schools may require a certain degree of civility and manners but if it isn't also expected at home, it will not become a permanent part of a child's psyche. Good manners shows respect for others. Showing respect for others will help people react positively towards them. It is all ultimately for their own benefit as well.

Answer 5

I think manners are wonderful! I was taught manners as a child and my children are taught the same. It shows respect to yourself and others and it shows a sense of maturity in a person. Good going on teaching your children what should be the basics to EVERYONE!!

Answer 6

I think manner are important too. Well done on doing a great job with your children. However, it's not just children who lack manners........ Here in Leeds (UK) it's like an epidemic. People don't seem to know how to say "Excuse me" or "Thank you".

I think the parents should teach their children, but some parents don't have manners!!!

Answer 7

Yes I agree. Manners are important - as they say 'Do unto others....'. Teaching manners should start from an early age at home and continued in school.

I feel kids learn most from their parents - if the parents themselves are rude and ill-mannered, they set a bad example.Apart from that, kids these days say more expletives than they did in my time.

Answer 8

Hi !

Good manners are essential !!! But only really come into their own when adoptetd by everyone ... which is far from the case ...

They allow people to live together in 'civil' society and family units ... if they go, then these latter things will also disappear ... Ignorance, extreme selfishness and pig brutishness will just take their place...

Let's wait and see ... ;^) But I think we know where we're going ... :^(

Answer 9

Manner are very important i think children should know them and be taught them to help them grow up to be respective good adults nobody likes a rude brat!!

Answer 10

What do I think about manners? Good to have, but hard to find.

Glad your kids had good manners. They're supposed to teach manners in Kindergarten, but I guess a majority of students forget afterward.