<p>I’ve been raised in the latter within my own home but outside of it I’m definitely the former. Now that I’m a college “adult” I’ve noticed [most] professors treat you as such. The relationship between my professors and I is more of a “fellowship” where I would fundamentally “replace them” (one of my professors’ words, not mine lol) and is based off of genuine mutual respect. It isn’t “authoritative” like high school where I was “talked down at”.</p>
<p>Consequently I’m in the “respect your elders” category at first but if I find reason that I am being mistreated then I immediately turn tables. For example, one of my professors taught at an Ivy league before coming to my school and never fails to remind us by constantly comparing the two schools. When I respectfully speak out, as in I disagree with opinions or something, I’m often shut down with some sort of response that often indicates: “And WHAT school do you go to?” or “You have an awful lot to say for someone who goes to XYZ University”. He’s still nice to me but being nice ≠ respect.</p>
<p>So, Do you think society is more RESPECT YOUR ELDERS or GIVE RESPECT IN ORDER TO BE RESPECTED? Which one are you?</p>
<p>Society is definitely still following a hierarchy, specifically a wealth hieararchy. </p>
<p>I am Asian and last time I made a thread about “respect”, it was deemed a ■■■■■ thread. I will state it again. Respect is something you earned, not given. So I don’t respect my parents one bit because they don’t deserve it.</p>
<p>I don’t think you do yourself any favors by treating other people disrespectfully. There is an argument that a professor has earned his respect by getting to the position he is in. Obviously you do have a right to a certain level of education, but if you feel this is not being met there are ways to go about pointing this out. If you no longer treat this professor with respect you’re going to come across as shrill and immature, far better to rise above it and rationally and respectfully put across your point of view. </p>
<p>Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them more.</p>
<p>I respect people no matter who they are, until they give me a reason not to. If you display major actions or recurring attitudes/behaviors that are against what I think is acceptable, you do not deserve my respect. I think that the “respect your elders no matter what” logic is deeply flawed, because sometimes a few of these people display qualities in which it’s no longer appropriate to hold them in high esteem.</p>
<p>In regard to society, there’s definitely a convoluted air of “respect your elders no matter what” in k-12 classrooms. There are too many instances in which the teachers don’t teach well or at all, and the students get blamed for reacting against it. However, I’ve also seen the reversal in which students don’t even have respect for teachers who deserve it. It seems that in college, there’s usually more mutual respect between students and professors, because the “give respect in order to be respected” rule is usually followed. Outside the classroom, it seems like a free-for-all where people choose to respect and disrespect whoever, and with all of the accompanying consequences. I just wish that there was more respect for people in the service industry.</p>
<p>You should always treat people with respect whether they’ve earned it or not- just because you treat them respectfully doesn’t have to mean you actually respect them.
I would never behave disrespectfully to someone older than me, especially if they were in a position of power (i.e., police officer or professor).</p>
<p>“You should always treat people with respect whether they’ve earned it or not- just because you treat them respectfully doesn’t have to mean you actually respect them.
I would never behave disrespectfully to someone older than me, especially if they were in a position of power (i.e., police officer or professor).”</p>
<p>This exactly! Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, especially elders! I think there is a huge difference between treating others with respect and actually respecting them. You have to earn my respect, but no matter what I’ll treat you as if I do. </p>
<p>There are very very few circumstances where it is okay to treat others with disrespect. </p>