How Respect Impacts Our Kids in School

Having filled in as a substitute teacher for many years within my children’s elementary school, I have watched many of the children in our community grow from cute kindergartners with untied shoelaces to awkward pre-teens entering junior high school.

What probably amazes me the most is that so many of these kids have somewhere learned that respect is not a necessary aspect of their life and therefore, they do not need to show it to anyone, including themselves.

We live today in a world of political correctness. We insist that we use certain terms to ensure that we do not offend anyone, but we fail to teach our kids to show respect to their teachers. How does this happen? By example. The minute we show a lack of respect for that teacher in the presence of our child, we have given them the green light to do the same.

Perhaps it would be more fitting to replace “lack of respect” with “bullying”. In schools, teachers and administrators are cracking down on those kids who are labeled as bullies. The use of this word gets the attention of parents when their child is in the line of fire.

In a recent issue of Climate of Respect, a poignant story of outright bullying is displayed. In this clear language it is easy to see that bullying was taking place with one student as the target. But, the bigger issue is that there was a climate of disrespect where this behavior was being tolerated because the adults in the situation were unaware.

There appears to be several organizations focused on a mission of empowering schools to bring respect back to the classroom. Youth Frontiers is one such organization with a firm mission to bring respect for others, teachers and self back to schools in America. While this is a quality program with a clear focus, one question is looming – why is it necessary?

Why have parents left it up to the schools to teach children how to behave and properly interact with each other? Parenting is hard, yes, but why make it harder by failing to set rules and boundaries for children?

As we continue to move along in our focus on bringing back respect, we will aim to provide you with the tools necessary to examine your methods at home and create an environment where respect is a priority.