Are teachers less respected today by students than years ago, and if so why?

Question

As a teacher I see so much animosity and complacency among my students. Is today's generation not putting enough effort into their education, or are they disallusioned by their educators?

Answer 1

This is a hard question. It a new world for educator. The student learn respect from parents and if they don't even respect their parents it worse for the teacher. Not all student are the same and not every issue is the same either. You will still find that some kids will respect the teacher that really gets involved with their students. I feel that the test and standards that most be met by teacher takes alway the real attention that students need. My mom was a teacher and it was much easier back then. A teacher was able to set the lesson as they would like and got more evolved with material being presented. Now, teacher have to present material that they don't even want to teacher and teaching is not the same anymore. I feel that the students may also see right through the teacher and now that the teacher really don't really enjoy teaching. There are so many factors that come into play as to why students may not respect teachers.

Answer 2

Some parents do not teach respect to their children. They complain about teachers and the school in front of their children. Many parents also think their child can do absolutely nothing wrong. When their child gets in trouble they refuse to believe the teacher or administration. This makes the child believe that he/she can manipulate the parents into always taking their side against the school. Years ago, the teacher was backed up by the parents. Now, the teacher is the bad guy. Some teachers may be horrible, mean and just bad at teaching BUT all children should be taught to respect adults.

Answer 3

Yep! We were scared to be sent to the principal. You didn't want you mom and dad to be told when you misbehaved.

I am the crossing guard, and PTA president. So many of these children are not even raised with basic manners or guidelines. But it just takes a tweaking to reach them. Realize that you as a teacher, are probably the most structured part of thier day. I get to interact with so many students of different ages. Yes, times are different, but if they feel you care, they will respond.

Do your best to reach out and include the parents,(or whatever the family structure is), in your class throughout the school year.

Please know this......teachers are still one of the most respected and influential people in a child's life! Stop complaining! Reach them! And reach out to the community that does care.

Oh Lord .......I just read some of the other responses. Please don't think all parents are just lazy slackers in our kids education. Yes, many are not becoming involved, but I have found a little communication can go a long way!

Answer 4

Yes! As a middle school teacher it is very difficult to accept the disrespectful behavior of the children. But it goes back to the parents. When students feel entitled to everything and parents feed into this mentality, the teacher is the scapegoat for the student's poor behavior. If a student can see that his parents will believe them over the teacher, of course they lose respect for the teacher. I have actually had the parent of a MIDDLE school student tell me that her child never lies. Come On really now, how delusional could one person be?

Answer 5

as a middle school Phys Ed. coach I am seeing more disrespect towards teacher than ever before mostly due to lack of single parents raising their children alone or both parents working and not being there for their children.
I was assaulted by a student during gym class by a student that showed alot of respect towards me ( so I thought )
I did file assault charges against him the next day because he was telling other students that he got away with it !
He was suspended for a week.
Teaching is a tough profession
The great thing about being a gym teacher is if a students acts up I can punish him by making do alot of running or other muscle enhancement excercises ( lol )

Answer 6

As a jr high religion educator, I see so much disrespect, I have thought about quitting. When the parents refuse to discipline their kids for misbehaving in school, and show disrespect to the teacher, the kids follow suit. And it does not improve as the kids get older...I know, I also teach 18+ military recruits at a Naval base.

Answer 7

We're no longer allowed to have a role in the development of the youth, because there's a faulty belief that only the parents should be allowed to impart knowledge and values despite the general understanding that it is impossible for one human adult to know everything. Our hands are tied, but society will swing back around in a decade or two once it understands that as many dedicated adults as possible are needed to improve the lives of youth and give them the greatest probability of success.

Answer 8

Yes teachers r less respected today because back then the only way that children respected techers was that teachers threatened the kids with a whip

Answer 9

teachers are better respected in countries like China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc. I lived in Indonesia for 14 years, and then I came to the states. In some schools, you have to stand up and greet your teachers when they come in the classroom. I felt that my classmates and I respected our teachers a lot better. I heard stories from teachers who migrated from China talk about their students. everyone is disciplined, when they lecture the kids keep quiet unless the have questions.

Answer 10

Yes.
I am not a teacher, but I see less respect today towards everyone.
It has to be in teaching respect at home during the early years of a childs life, and we as a whole have failed our children.