What would you (or have you) taught your kids when it comes to treating individuals?
I was raised with something like the golden rule, but also taught to treat your elders with respect. Plus, don't be rude to anybody.
I encounter quite often younger individuals (for instance, teens) that are, to be quite frank, little shits. Just the other day one yelled at me through the gym window to keep working off my fat thighs.
Ha, of course I was doing just that. I was slightly taken by surprise. It has been years since I was taunted, manipulated, and made fun of by my peers, and it kind of took me back to the first 16 years of my life. Always the loner being tricked and conned. But after the moment had already passed, I felt compelled to tell the teen to, 1.) respect his elders, 2. ) grow up, and 3. ) that he cannot act that way or he's liable to get beat up by someone that he offends.
I wondered if this little shit had been taught any sort of manners, or rules about how to act around people. I cannot help but think that to a certain extent parents are to blame. Quite honestly, I've seen many adults with their children not act so stellar out there, and surely their kids will replicate the behaviors, words and whatever else they learn from their parents examples. Do you set a good example for your kids? You are after all their primary role model.
Kids should be taught not to judge people by their appearance, and especially not to insult people they do not know. We are all equal despite our differences, whether they be the color of our skin, or weight, our intellect. Nobody deserves to be treated poorly; we should all be respectful of each other and mindful of what we do and say. It will make a difference because it could ultimately save a life.
silver_phoenix posted on Sep 01, 2009
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Comments
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Hegemone said on Sep 02, 2009....
I don't have children of my own, but I do think that even without trying they will absorb other people's behavior quite easily, whether that be their parents, aunts & uncles, grandparents, or peers. One of the reasons I'm holding off and really thinking hard before I just decide to have children, because within my own family dynamics I see my nephews and nieces who are not well behaved and have a tendency to be quite rude .... and then another niece who is rarely ever around a good chunk of my family in law, and she has manners and isn't prone to say horrible things the way the other three are. That is enough to make me think twice, three times, four times, etc. -
uniquely-ironic said on Sep 02, 2009....
I was raised to respect elders and never offend someone if at all possible. As a young adult I found myself melting into the background because in my attempt to be non-objectionable I was not sticking up for myself. I swung the other direction before I met a lady (one of my former bosses) who taught me the fine art of sticking up for yourself, but doing it with grace.My kids are nearly grown, but what I've strived to teach them is to treat all people equally and with respect until they've proven themselves unworthy of it. That means from the toddler to the ancient, all shades of skin, all economic level and all genders. I think I've done a decent job modeling that behavior and my kids are not likely to be one of those rude kids who yell rude things. (always leave myself some wiggle room due to teenage pack mentality and hormones. lol) Then, when they have proven themselves unworthy of respect, to firmly but politely stick up for themselves. -
gingersoul said on Sep 02, 2009....
I tell you just this: several of my daughter's friend moms have asked me to adopt her......naturally the answer has always been no.......lol...I've put a lot of effort in raising her, thank you....I can even say that she is even more understanding and nicer than me ...;-pOur kids are the flowers that bloom from the seeds we plant.Now let's see how the teen age storm will hammer on her .....and i surely can't underestimate the peer pressure..Wish me good luck!..... ;-) -
silver_phoenix said on Sep 03, 2009....
hey Hege, u-i, and ginger!
Hege, good point. Maybe it'll be time for kids when you're not around those that aren't the best of role models.
U-i, it's good to hear that some out there still try to do the right thing with their kids. Yours are lucky to have you :)
ginger, I and others appreciate the effort you have put forth! I love how you liken your kids to flowers :) good luck on teenagehood.
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