Declline of Respect

Do you read historical fiction, biographies or autobiographies? Have you ever read a memoir of a person born before 1940? I love to read and the historical genre can be extremely interesting. I enjoy learning how people lived their daily lives, in the past. Yet reading this genre truly makes one realize how the world has changed, and not always for the greater good.

What is glaringly obvious is how we have become a disrespectful society. We are disrespectful of those around us, co-workers, and leaders, the elderly, other races and even children. Someone once said, 'you get what you give', and that is surely true in regards to respect. Parents tell their children, "do as I say, not as I do", setting them up to fail. Sending such mixed messages to children is, confusing, to say the least and ridiculous at best. What's the old saying, "monkey SEE, monkey DO"?.

There was a time when people addressed each other with an honorific, a title of honor. Married couples actually continued to call their new parents-in-law by such, for example your wife would continue to call your parents, "Mr. Smith" or "Mrs. Smith". One never called a mother-in-law by her first name! There was a time when our teachers were addressed by "Mr." or "Mrs." and not by such things as Miss Kathy. Youngsters addressed their friend's parents with honorifics as well. Now your son calls the neighbor, "Bob". Uncommon familiarity breeds disrespect.

The southern states appear to have held on to this practice longer. Maybe it's that 'southern gentility' that we hear so much about. A southern gentleman may still be addressed as 'sir' and they still say, 'yes ma'am' to their mothers. If all of this is a lost art then our society will continue to suffer for the losing of it.

I propose that we go back in time and reinstate this form of address and see if we can relearn respect for others, teach our children to respect their elders again. I also suggest that those with leadership roles demand respect from others, i.e. teachers, bosses, etc. Respect for others breeds dignity and gentility. Respect for others breeds respect within oneself.