Why are we taught to respect our elders and to never respect our youngers?

Question

Don;t get me wrong, I love older people and I do respect them, all the time. But, half the time I find that people who I respect treat me like dirt and I don't think I deserve that. So what's up with that?

There are a lot of old people who are very disrespectful to my beliefs and mean to me just because I'm younger than them.

Answer 1

I'm one of those elders who agree with you completely. As a psychologist, I feel that respect is the most important part of the therapeutic relationship and the relationship is the most important aspect of helping someone

Answer 2

Everyone deserves respect unless they are disrespectful first.
Young people have just as much value as elderly people.
I think some old people are just that was because some of them are just plain grumpy.
Their bodies are failing, their bones are weak, their stomachs are all torn up, they can't move as well as they used to, they have forgotten some of thier dreams and are just plain miserable.
I think deep down the youth they dismiss, is the youth they envy.
I still respect them, though, because I am a southern girl and that is they way I was taught. Some of them are irritable because the world just stomps over them in thier view. In thier days, the drivers were courteous and waved at you. Now everyone is running over each other just to get to Walmart. They have gotten sick of the whole game and just joined in being as mean as possible because they have all the above ailments to boot.

Next time one of them is mean to you just ask yourself how happy you would be if you were them. Then take of running full speed, look back and scream "Don't you wish you could do this!!"

Answer 3

In general, elders are considered wiser, having been through more life experiences than those who are younger. Of course, that does not mean that you don't use your own good sense when making decisions. It just means that you are willing to listen to wisdom you may not have had the opportunity to learn yet. Wisdom can be very different than knowledge, though it can certainly include it, and opinions can be based on neither knowledge nor wisdom.

I am getting on in years, and I love to listen to anyone wiser than myself. However, I have had the experience that some young people are wiser in their own eyes, and think that older people are ignorant, and have nothing to offer. On the other hand, few older people have had opportunities to master technology to the degree many young people have. This is one example of the younger teaching the older.

It would seem best to treat all people with basic respect and courteousy, whenever possible.

Answer 4

Respect is a two-way street- with all people. While it is important to respect elders based on their greater experiences and responsibilities, one must remember that our youth learn by example. People who are disrespectful to our youth are, in effect, teaching them to disrespect others. On the other hand, people who show respect to all- young and old- are teaching and reinforcing that respect, and will reap the rewards in spades. As for those who treat you like dirt- try to spend as little time with them as possible. They'll soon get the picture.

Answer 5

I understand...believe me I do. Honestly, it is one of the reasons I have no qualms about turning 30 next year. Even at 29 years old, I am still getting, "Oh but your such a baby!" Like I wouldn't know a thing about the topic at hand just becauce I am maybe 5 years younger than them. I find it hypocritical to respect elders, but not also in turn respect the younger people in our lives. Everyone deserves respect. And I believe the whole commandment in the bible of "Honor thy mother and thy father" has spanned into a societal mindset of "Honor anyone who is older than you (and by the way, ignore the 'little people'.)" I disagree with this mindset, and agree it is demeaning and hurtful. I believe in treating everyone with respect, even if I disagree with them...and even if they are younger than me. Because respect does not come from agreement or age, it just comes from the heart that you acknowledge the person you are communicating with that they are a human being and worthy of attention despite what you disagree on or the difference between your ages.

I encourage doing this, because I have learned we each have our roles to play in life. And don't think yourself insignfigant just because someone else deems in thier minds by your age that you are...just stand up, be yourself, and change the world around you one step at a time by respecting everyone and everything around you. Show people who put you down what it is like to live a life that is void of disrespect. The best way to fight fire sometimes, is with fire...just with a different heat and fuel. Take the negative given to you, and just turn it around to make it positive. Bascially make lemonade out of lemons. (keep this in mind, the changes you make in your life for the positive, will always reap a lot of negative. It is life's way of testing to see if you truly believe in the changes you are making. Just keep taking those negatives, and using them as fuel to make more positives.) And soon enough people will be thinking to themselves about you..."what does she know that I don't?" And in time, if they have any humanity in them, will ask you things you never thought they would. I am beginning to see the results of my choice to do this, and it is a little confusing at first...you almost wonder if it is real? But once you look past the confusion once you get to this point...you begin to understand the changes you have made for you...are starting to affect the world around you. And that is what life is about...changing you to help others. It is the neatest thing. :) Enjoy the journey!

Answer 6

I think there's an idea in our society that says that "age" deserves respect. And "youth" does not require it.

I believe that respect deserves respect. Now I work in retail. So I have to give a lot of respect when I get none in return.

However, that being said, there are a LOT of young people in our society that have an "entitlement" attitude and do not deserve my respect, because they show none.

Answer 7

If someone doesnt repect YOU then stay away from them. You certainly dont need to be respecting them if they arnt respecting you.

Most ppl respect their elders cuz they have seen and done more. Theyve had experience with way more than the younger person. (Usually)

But if someones treating you bad, get away from them and stay away, and dont give them the chance to disrespect you, and if you feel like you should, call them on it. Tell them what theyre doing.

Answer 8

I really do relate to this question. Not so much now, but when I was a teenager, adults seemed to have this idea that I was an entirely empty vessel and I knew nothing, even about myself. It's arrogant and stupid to treat anyone that way, whatever age they are. I have always (even as a trodden-on teenager) endeavoured to give respect to everyone, unless they prove themselves undeserving of it. Even a five year old can have a point of view we haven't considered, that is worth listening to.

Answer 9

I was taught to respect both because our youngsters are our future. They will be the ones caring about us when we are older and leading our communities, even possibly our country. They will be the ones teaching our children, protecting our cities. Kids should be taught to respect everyone, young and old.

Answer 10

I love your question and you are no sillyrabbit! I believe that respecting oneself demands that we respect those around us, from the eldest to the youngest. That is just common courtesy. As an adult who works with juvenile offenders, I am often told stories where kids are being 'treated like dirt' as you say. I say they are the future of our world and deserve to be treated with respect! You don't deserve to be treated with anything less than respect, but please understand that it is not a reflection on you, but on the one treating you disrespectfully. Shame on them!