Kirsten+G’s+OpEd+Article

= "R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Anyone?" = = by Kirsten G. = It seems there are plenty of desirable attributes that have lost their presence in the minds of adolescents. However, there is one I believe is so vital to leading a prosperous life that it is disappointing to witness the lack of conscious attempts to achieve it. Everything depends on respect. Respect for self, respect for others, they both play such a key role in the way we live and the way we are perceived by others. Respect has lost well, its respect. That and I think people do not really realize what it exactly means to respect something or someone. It seems to be that it is so much more desirable at this age to show disrespect because it displays some sort of animosity or independence that we all too often think is just an element of this phase in life. It’s an unfortunate misconception. When I look around and see people texting or surfing the web on their cell phones during a lecture or talking back to an adult, it is appalling. Henceforth, as teenagers we are generalized into this group of people who could not care less and the truth is there is a good percent of us who are quite the opposite of what our peers are perceived as.

What exactly is respect? Some sort of character trait that we are expected to learn because it is deemed as something helpful? An attribute expected to make us grateful when we fully achieve something that can be “respected” by others? It’s a combination and so much more. I may sound old-fashioned, but it is something that is meant for those we look up to. It is something meant to achieve respect from others and have pride in ourselves. It is something which helps us to understand the connection we can have with everyone.

Respect is listening to someone’s opinions without having to undermine everything they say the second they say it. It is completely closed-minded and irrational to be planning a counter attack to another person’s opinion without letting them explain their logic. It happens all the time. Then to expect that same person to feel open to your assail of their beliefs and respect your opinions in a way you neglected to respect theirs is simply hypocritical. It would take a saint to be kind enough not to tune you out. We all do it, but the difference is if we recognize it is discourteous and work to change the automatic guard we put up. A large part of my perception of a person is based on their respect of people with differing ideas. I cannot express how utterly disheartening it is when I see or experience someone who is so insolent and close-minded that they refuse to allow any differing ideas to go without condemnation. Since plenty of people are so critical of others beliefs, it has become perfectly acceptable for them to be carelessly unaware of their own discourtesies.

Self respect is an imperative quality; especially in these teenage years where self discoveries becomes the main focus of our lives. It has everything to do with self confidence and nothing to do with being arrogant. There may be a thin line between the two, but being confident ultimately leads to self respect. It is important to be proud of yourself. To know your boundaries because you can respect there are some adventures you would rather not embark on is a feature most people admire. Now I won’t claim that self respect is being true to your boundaries and your opinions even when they are to an extreme. Most of the time, I look at people who claim they are perfectly fine with their promiscuous sexuality or risky behaviors and assume they are trying to conceal the fact that somewhere deep down, they are not quite sure what they are doing. There are exceptions, but they are hard to find. The truth is it is very easy for outside viewers to see through false self respect, so it is much better to make sure the picture you portray is realistic. Self respect is not a misdeed; it does not make you less likable, it actually has quite the opposite effect.

Respect is what we want from others, we want them to respect our ideas, lifestyles, beliefs and ultimately every piece of our puzzle. The major disconnect seems to be in our eager willingness to except it and our reluctance to give it. We find ourselves shocked at the fact everyone is unenthusiastic in their use of respect towards us, when we ourselves neglect to give the example of how we expect to be treated. It all boils down to respect for ourselves and others. Without it, confidence can drop, morals and values take a back seat and suddenly we are stuck in the age old dilemma where we won’t be courteous unless treated with such. A word to the wise: treat others the way you except to be treated and life will be much more fulfilling.

Love the editorial and the picture. So full of win.media type="file" key="kirsteng-muckraker-0910.mp3" -Mat Aguilar