“Respect your elders” is another old-timey phrase that connotes a stern wrinkled face and wagging finger. But as our world becomes continuously self-centered and lackadaisical, it seems more important than ever to encourage our youths to mind their manners and honour the elder generation.
Teaching children courteous gestures trains them to be less selfish. Courtesy is cool, and youths will gain respect for themselves as they show respect for adults and all ages.
British novelist Lawrence Sterne said “respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners”.
Parents must arrange for grandma time. If your kid’s grandparents or great-grandparents are available, encourage them to spend time together.
Kids should hang out with trusted adults, the more they associate with aunts, uncles, teachers, coaches and neighbours the easier it is for them to communicate with adults in general.
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. In order for youths to respect in return at some point, elders have to be polite, smile, serve, show appreciation, obey the law and use good manners in general which will go a long way in influencing our children’s behaviour towards their elders and people of all ages.
Even the bible itself says you shall stand up before the gray head and honour the face of an old man. Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Respecting elders can help youths develop practical and social skills and expand opportunities. I am personally a young adult and I see my people being very cruel to elders in their faces. I believe that youths need discipline but physical punishment is not always the answer. Some young people may need a spanking sometimes but in many circumstances physical punishment may cause mental scaring and much unnecessary stress. I think there needs to be a reform in the government education system. Only then can we hope to instill respect for others in the young generation today.
So youths, let us stand up and respect our elders, they create meaning in everything aspect of our lives, they are our backbones and in them is where we seek complete hope, help and happiness.