A lost generation
Now as I type this, I imagine that is possibly an automated assumption that I am talking about the youth of today. Crikey I sound old! I am not..But here comes the point of my blog. It is actually about a generation I was taught to respect. But I am currently reconsidering this. The reason why is this. We're very quick to take to task the younger generation for respecting our elders. But what do we do with the elder generation that talk so disrespectfully? Because they exist too.
Sure they got this far in life to have some fun. I often watched my Nan do this. I do believe no matter our age. We all need some childish fun in our lives. Be it dressing up as your local police officer at a fancy dress party or I and one of my friends imagine boy racing each other in our wheelchairs terrorising the staff with our antics. (We have discussed this lol)
I am talking about language and how we talk to each other. Now I am no saint here if someone has way crossed that line with me they're going to know about it. I am in the middle of both young and old. But in general I really do see the language and disrespect given to people they haven't met before, maybe briefly have encountered. Be it offline or online in the forums and blogs.
Upon this ramble I have a few questions as well.
Was this how you were raised? To respect a generation who have lived life, more than likely a different kind of life. But still taught that in a society we respect our elders?
Do we now forget to do this simply because of a select few and change it for the future generations where people are respected on their own merit?
Should we allow the disrespect to happen to us or to the generation of elders?
What are we teaching the younger generations?
Just a random thought that has passed my mind often lately and I would be interested to know your views on this.
Off to do the slave thing. Will check back in later.
Comments (25)
Fay, like Mimi and TK. I think other cultures can teach us a different kind of respect and when I have travelled some, not as much as TK. I have valued some of their ways to show respect to each other. Although, I do think it would be a challenge for a lot of Westerners.
Naivete, frustrating that we can still be seen as children by those that have seen us grow up. Sometimes I am tempted to squeeze their cheeks back
Are you saying that give respect to everyone until they give you a reason not too? Or perhaps we should be more understanding to people and still be able to respect them even if they are not?
correcting/adding before "experts" try to figure that one.
Very good blog
I just have an issue with the obnoxious ones.
-me thinks.
respect others as well
But it doesn't mean less respect either.
We can learn from them.
They know a lot more than they let on...at times.
They had my grandmother living with them. She was not a good person. One of the reasons I admire my mum is that she made a conscious decision to have a different relationship to her husband and her kids than she saw growing up between her parents.
They suffered with her in the house. I would do anything for my mum and have her living with me because she is the person she is (even if I know we would drive each other batty eventually) but I would not have put up with what they had to put up.
Respect is a 2 way street and if someone doesn't show respect for anything or anyone it has nothing to do with age - doesn't make any person better because of it.