R.e.s.p.e.c.t
A one word rule to live by.
Rodney Dangerfield wanted it. Aretha Franklin and Reba McIntire sang about it. But what is respect?
While substitute teaching a 5th grade class, I learned that they had only one classroom rule–respect. I thought, “WOW!” But if you all practice that it is all we need.
Self respect means knowing your own value and taking pride in who you are. If you respect yourself, you can make you own good decisions instead of going along with the crowd that is making poor ones. It means having a high moral character and taking care of yourself, not out of selfishness, but to be able to take care of others.
Respecting others means taking into consideration their needs, wants and feelings in making your decisions. Recognize that we are all unique and have different talents. Wouldn’t life be boring if we were all clones of each other? Maturity means you can respect that another person has a right to his own opinion even if it is the opposite of yours.
Respecting property means taking care of it and not destroying or vandalizing someone else’s possessions.
Respecting parents, teachers, and authority figures when they are not letting you do what you want as a youth is very difficult. However, keep in mind they have much more life experience than you and one of the uppermost goals they have is to keep you safe.
Respect for a higher power is a controversial subject. Not everyone believes there is a God (or whatever name you know him by), but we all should respect the right for people to exercise their own beliefs as long as it does not hurt others.
It is very sad today to see the lack of respect shown in many public places with a good many people talking on their cell phones. A recent school program the 2nd and 3rd graders put on was constantly bombarded by phones ringing and people talking so loud that the students had to sing louder to be heard above it. What message were those kids getting? You are not as important as this phone call! I don’t have time to share your accomplishments! It’s okay to be rude! Cell phones interrupt meetings, concerts, movies, dinner conversations, etc. This is very disrespectful to those who are waiting and shows total disregard to their needs and feelings.
Road rage is not only frightening today, but totally disrespectful. My 19 year old son and I were on the interstate highway a few weeks ago where there was road construction. It was supposed to be no passing with funneling into one lane. One woman in a big SUV was flipping people off and pulling into the middle of both lanes because it obviously made her furious that people were passing her. People continued to pass and even drive around her on the shoulder and she kept flipping them off and I am sure using some choice words. My son asked me what she thought she was accomplishing by that. I don’t think that other people not doing what they should gives one the right to be disrespectful and rude back.
Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all lived by a one word rule? RESPECT!
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Post CommentCharli
On June 8, 2008 at 11:08 am
I respect your thoughts and I also agree with them. I always hear people use that expression “where is the love?” but I am much more concerned over “where is the RESPECT?”
Melanie
On June 8, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I agree. What a powerful essay. I work in field other than education but the same rule of all you need is respect could apply. Following this could lead to a more peaceful world. While that sounds idealistic, think about it. Every conflict, traces back to somewhere along the line, a lack of respect for someone’s values, thoughts or life style.
Angela
On June 8, 2008 at 2:31 pm
There have always been people who don’t respect those around them — those people disrespect those above them just as much as they disrespect those they consider beneath them. However, cell phones have made it a million times worse.
Sara
On June 8, 2008 at 11:40 pm
You make some good points. I’m young enough to still have some problems when it comes to respecting authority figures, but old enough to catch myself before I do something disrespectful, most of the time at least. However, I do believe that in some cases respect needs to be earned, not simply given.
Vipul
On June 9, 2008 at 10:45 am
very good indeed.
amanda
On June 9, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I agree with this 100%. It is such a simple thing, but a mightily important one. Respect and good manners go hand in hand. Teach your children when they are young and it will serve them well for a lifetime.
shannon
On June 9, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Great Article! It’s too bad that not all people feel this way in a “watch out for number one” society.
ming
On June 18, 2008 at 2:52 am
It would indeed make it a better world if we all have respect. I work as a trainer. Though its not part of the course outline, I always tell our new hires that RESPECT can go a long way and will make our work places more fun and enjoyable. Time flies when you are having fun and respecting everyone and everything is one of the ingredients towards it.
babesbudsmom
On June 18, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I liked it, the world needs more people who respect each other. Knowing that 5th graders had that knowledge is amazing. Our children need to understand the meaning of the word, there are too many teenagers that don’t understand in order to get respect they have to give it.
sbmom
On June 18, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I totally enjoyed this article. My son is in 5th grade this year and we have had intense bullying issues all steming from a lack of respect for themselves and their peers.