THE DIARIST REFLECTIONS
Respect Is Not Exclusive to Seniors
Everyone deserves respect, regardless of age
Reflection on Breaking Stereotypes About Age and Respect June 2024
Old doesn’t necessarily mean right
We get it, a lot has changed, and not everything has transformed in an ideal way — which generation is perfect anyway?
But the frustration of our predecessors largely stems from the inability to control the narrative of our current reality.
They want things to return to how they were, and that’s alarming.
Imagine relapsing into the dark era of child marriages, slavery, the dowry system, women without fundamental rights, and abusive and oppressive masculinity — that’s a scary prospect.
Evolution is moving forwards, not backwards.
Times have evolved, and so must our values
Let’s talk about values as they form an integral part of our societal structure.
However, what harmony and balance can we expect from age-old, regressive, and rigid values that haven’t been revised over time?
Often more harm than good!
Purging the old and obsolete is the law of nature, values should be no exceptions.
Remember those beliefs rigorously instilled in us by our parents and educational institutions?
“Respect your elders”
“Family is everything”
“Hard work always pays off”
Nobel values, aren’t they? Look closer, they are lopsided and aren’t wholesome.
Respect for the elderly: Is that applicable to anyone who simply grows older? What about the younger ones?
Family comes first: What about toxic family dynamics that are unhealthy, anxiety-inducing, and hurtful?
Hard work pays off: This often leaves many bitter and wondering why their efforts don’t yield results. There’s, obviously, more to becoming successful.
Respect the elderly and leave the rest?
There’s a lot of emphasis on respecting the elderly in my culture; I’m an Indian if that makes any difference.
This is what “respecting the elderly” typically means:
1. Saying “No” to an elder is seen as disrespectful.
2. Standing up for yourself in the face of aggressive authority is unnecessary and dramatic.
3. Seniors are always right; follow their lead blindly.
4. Elders shouldn’t be expected to evolve, don’t ask them to.
5. Setting healthy boundaries around them is perceived as hurtful.
6. Confronting elders about their toxic behaviour is viewed as rude
Doesn’t it sound like seniors monopolizing “respect?’
Does that mean criminals, abusers, and oppressors deserve to be respected just because they’re aged?
Does this give our seniors the right to disrespect younger people?
I don’t think so!
Respect isn’t a privilege, it must be earned
Everyone will grow old eventually, age alone isn’t the criterion for monopolizing respect.
Respect is about acceptance, understanding, compassion, personal growth, and consideration for others.
After all, ageing is a biological process, not a requisite for being respected.
Want respect? Earn it.
What do you think about respect? Should it be earned or is it automatic?
What does respect look like in your culture, is it a big thing?
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