Respect?

Exactly what is respect? What is disrespect?

Is respect a quality worth teaching the young? Where are the examples of respect for young people to study? Are they difficult to find in the entertainment industry, in politics, in sports, in schools, even in churches? Why? How do children learn respect? If it starts in the home, from where is there reinforcement?

When did respect give way to disrespect, as the norm? Did it just happen overnight? Has the importance of respect been waning for a long time? Why?

Is it a product of our instant gratification demands? Is it part of the louder is better approach to communication? Could it be related to the idea that anything repeated enough will be believed regardless of its veracity?

Is it that many, young and old alike, see through the phoniness of self-promotion? Do such people still value the concept of respect? Do they seek to find those that are worthy of respect? Are there not still stalwarts who value respect over popularity?

“Respect yourself and others will respect you.” – Confucius

Is a reciprocal commitment to integrity a fundamental of mutual respect?

Do you strive for respect first, then acceptance? In your relationships is respect a requirement? How do you cultivate respect? How do you display respect to others? What suggestions do you have for teaching respect?