What Does Respect Mean To You Essay

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I Believe

“You have to respect me, because I’m the adult,” I’ve heard this argument countless times and to me it’s laughable. All my life, this is what I’ve been told. However, now that I’m less naïve and can think for myself I refuse to follow these ‘guidelines.’ My reasoning is very simple, I'm not the type of person to respect someone just because they're an adult, or in a position of power, and I don’t think anyone is entitled to my respect. There are people who are old fashioned and believe in the saying, “respect your elders, because they’re older than you,” but I am not one of those people. I will respect anyone who respects me back, because respect is a two-way street, and if someone doesn't like that than they can stop driving. Respect isn’t about age, it’s about having a certain mindset. …show more content…

My father’s friend came over to my house one evening, as we were talking she said some things that I didn’t agree with and I told her as much. She apparently wasn’t used to being disagreed with, because she told me that, “With an attitude like mine the only reason a man would want me was to use and throw away.” I was ten. I tried to tell my dad, but he agreed with his friend, but only after scolding me for using her first name while addressing her. That made me realize that not everyone is going to be respectful, which of course I knew; However, even after all that I was expected to show her respect back. There are times as a child when you have to do things, but respecting someone is not something I will ever do because of obligation. Respect has to be earned, regardless of who you are. I do not respect my own father, because he never returned the favor. Not too long ago, my father told me “I was not his equal, and that I will never be his equal,” and the sad thing is that that’s not the worst thing he’s ever said to

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