Respect For Elders
i witnessed a granchild of ten talking down to her grandmum who was in her mid sixties and i bit my tongue to stop the barrage of words waiting to shoot out. She was neither kin nor kith for me to reprimand her though i wish i could and had.
What stopped me?. Wise advice from a friend that no mother likes her kids to be given a dressing down by another other than herself. So, i stewed about the girl's mum's attitude for not teaching her child to respect her elders. Shouldn't she have taught her daughter basic manners like talking softly and respectfully to her grandparents?
This is just one incident- a total lack of disrespect, arrogance and aggression towards senior citizens...is appallingly increasing. It appears that a huge majority of the younger generation today are callous, crass and cruel in speech and action towards their grandparents, elderly relatives and neighbours and the general aging members of society.
How and when did this happen?. Has the world moved on so quickly and still racing on that only the agile have exclusive rights to be in the race but not the aging and aged?
The young should remember and reflect that being disrespectful and disregarding the elders reverts back to their character and upbringing. The young should also bear in mind that age catches up with everyone...eventually. They too will be slow in speech and stride.
i believe that if the foundation is strong, the structure will stand the test of time. Thus, it is every parent's duty to instill in their offspring the importance of respecting elders from when they are still in diapers. Afterall, babies learn from observation and it is always easier to mould them when they are young.
There is an urgency to address and actively put into action this basic obligation and duty of care; be it at home, in pre schools, schools, universities and everywhere!. i want to share this poem that i found on the net and though i do not know who penned it, i feel it most appropriate for everyone of us as a reminder.
What stopped me?. Wise advice from a friend that no mother likes her kids to be given a dressing down by another other than herself. So, i stewed about the girl's mum's attitude for not teaching her child to respect her elders. Shouldn't she have taught her daughter basic manners like talking softly and respectfully to her grandparents?
This is just one incident- a total lack of disrespect, arrogance and aggression towards senior citizens...is appallingly increasing. It appears that a huge majority of the younger generation today are callous, crass and cruel in speech and action towards their grandparents, elderly relatives and neighbours and the general aging members of society.
How and when did this happen?. Has the world moved on so quickly and still racing on that only the agile have exclusive rights to be in the race but not the aging and aged?
The young should remember and reflect that being disrespectful and disregarding the elders reverts back to their character and upbringing. The young should also bear in mind that age catches up with everyone...eventually. They too will be slow in speech and stride.
i believe that if the foundation is strong, the structure will stand the test of time. Thus, it is every parent's duty to instill in their offspring the importance of respecting elders from when they are still in diapers. Afterall, babies learn from observation and it is always easier to mould them when they are young.
There is an urgency to address and actively put into action this basic obligation and duty of care; be it at home, in pre schools, schools, universities and everywhere!. i want to share this poem that i found on the net and though i do not know who penned it, i feel it most appropriate for everyone of us as a reminder.
" Respect your Elders
Learn from the people who have walked the path
before you...respect them.
Because someday
- and sooner than you could ever imagine -
you're going to be old too".
Comments
Post a Comment