Definition Essay On Respect

As a child growing up in the public school system, and even at home in the family situation I was always taught to be respectful toward my elders and everyone for that matter. However, it appears that respect in schools has died down and an epidemic of disrespect is sweeping across the United States current school- aged generations. The simplicity of the common statement related to respect, “treat others the way you wish to be treated,” no longer has the effect on young minds like it used to. Oxford Dictionaries defines respect as "due regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others" and also as “A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievement.” I feel as though these definitions

Regard is defined as to pay attention to or have concern for something or someone. Whereas, admiration can be defined as respect and warm approval. This definition doesn’t exactly help the situation in finding the true definition of respect because it uses the word itself. Courtesy is also a term that would help to define respect because to be courteous means to show politeness in one’s attitude and behavior toward others.

On a practical level respect includes taking someone's feelings, needs, thoughts, ideas, wishes and preferences into concern. It means taking all of these seriously and giving them worth and importance. In fact, giving someone respect seems similar to valuing them and their thoughts, and feeling, it also includes acknowledging them, paying attention to them, being honest with them, and accepting their individuality and quirks. Respect reputes the qualities of the mind, or the actions which illustrate those

However, the disrespect of a child could come from the inefficiency of their parents at home. An ineffective parent is a person who expects their kids to do things that they’re not willing to do themselves. Parents who tell their children, “Do as I say, not as I do,” are just creating the kind of double standard that raises the negativity and disrespect. Children will imitate the behavior and mannerisms of their parents. Often times there are parents who do not believe school officials when their child is being a disrespectful figure in the classroom. When a parent defends a child from penalties for corrupt behavior in school, or anywhere else, that parent is passing on to the child that bad behavior is tolerable. This all being said, respect cannot be demanded or forced, though sometimes parents and other authoritative figures mistakenly believe that it can