Free Essay on Respect to Elderly

Since childhood, children are taught to respect others. Their parents explain how and when to say “Good morning,” “Thank you,” “I am sorry.” These magical statements are used to show people’s dignity and respect towards others. People should show respect not just while saying positive words. Mostly this value is about honorable and kind deeds.

As it goes without saying, one of the most significant types of respecting others is the behavior of the younger generation towards the older one. It is true that people of different age groups don’t have much in common concerning the life principles, interests, hobbies. The problem of generation gap occurs and leads to frequent misunderstandings, quarrels. The teenagers act irritably while the elders feel offense. Children don’t want to admit that grandparents are not so quick in thinking, they are slower in getting acquainted with the technologies. These two different types of behavior trigger reciprocal acts of disrespect.

The “grey generation” complain that teenagers don’t prefer face-to-face communication because of sophisticated modern technologies. The 70-80-onwards lived in the world with no internet, mobile phones, or other contemporary gadgets. It is difficult to them to understand the whole spectrum of benefits which technologies give people. The elderly perceive it as something hostile. Simultaneously, the younger generation cannot imagine communication without the Internet. The lack of understanding of both points of view leads to conflicts. Children don’t communicate enough with their grandparents simply because the youngsters don’t want to visit their relatives, while the latter don’t want to learn how to use the Internet to talk online. By disrespecting each other’s outlooks, both sides are left not satisfied. This problem triggers problems within the nearest and dearest, and the family ties are don’t consolidate.

The possible solution for the problem above may be really simple. The younger generation should devote time and effort to teach grandparents how to use the simplest mobile phone for everyday talking. If the elderly agree to try what their grandchildren ask them, it will be a sign of their respect for children. This solution is simple for both sides and it will be the way to improve the relationship between family members. It means that reciprocal desire to understand each other plays important role to respect one another.

The question of respecting someone means being responsible for them. The issue of appreciation is not only connected to the teenagers. A true respect towards the older generation can be shown within the local community. The question of ageism is becoming more ongoing and pervasive. This phenomenon is the influence of the industrial society. Contemporary 60-70-year-old people are non-workers because they are considered of no value, and they don’t know what to do with their free time. An ideal sign of respect can shown by the residents. Various social clubs for the elderly can be organized. The “grey” generation will spend time with their peers; they will play chess, dance, talk about good things from the past. This solution is not difficult to implement, but when it is done, the older generation will feel appreciated. They do deserve this.

When people show the smallest sign of respect, it leaves a very positive impression. People who know how to listen, explain personal viewpoints politely, say kind words to each other, are always appreciated in the society. Such people know that the elderly should be respected because they are wiser, and their life experience is bigger. It doesn’t mean that the older generation is always right; they have to respect youngsters for their wittiness, quick-thinking, resourcefulness. If the representatives of both age groups understand this, it will be easier to bridge the generation gap.

Respect starts from admitting that there are different points of view. People should understand that there is a high likelihood that somebody will disagree with them. The examples of how people can show respect to the older generation show that a true respect is about being tolerant, patient, and kind. If someone shows respect to others, it means that this person respects himself or herself as well.

References

• Levy, Sheri R. Ageism. John Wiley ; Sons, 2016.
  “Respect Your Elders.” Parenting Horizons, www.parentinghorizons.com/node/109. Accessed on 12.10.2017
• Rube, LMSW Tasha, and wikiHow. “How to Respect Your Elders.” WikiHow, WikiHow, 26 June 2017, www.wikihow.com/Respect-Your-Elders. Accessed on 14.10.2017