Why do still respect our elderly?

I always used to respect my elders when I was a child, but as I grow older I find that respect is something that should be earned. Respect should be a mutual and two-way street thing. There are times when I find it difficult to give respect to some elderly people when they do not give respect to me. It is a sad fact of life that people have changed so much over the years and that now there are elderly people who are mean, viscious, nasty and horrible to everyone around them, even those who are there to help them. I expect some will think my view is unpleasant, but having spent my life trying to respoect my elders, and now as an almost-elder myself, it just seems that the world has changed for the worst.

I live with my parents at home, and I remember as a child my parents had their mothers living with us as well; It was a packed house in a NYC apartment, but I am glad that I got to see it; Because of that, I have tremendous respect for the elderly; It is real sad that we throw our natural treasures in nursing homes and see them when we feel like it; I remember my parents told me to NOT put them in no nursing home, and to this day, I've kept my promise; My father is now 83 years old; Frankly, I know his time is close; I accept that, but we got to understand to not do this; Respect our elders. I just buried an aunt this month, and I truly feel bad as to how her last days were. It was real sad; If it were up to me, I would have let her have her wish and that was to go home and stay home; Personally, if I had the money and means, i would gather all of my elderly relatives, At present, that's about four of them with my dad included, have them come to a private home I have and let them stay there in peace. Then with their other relatives, they can have some peace and live out their last days in peace. I would have medical access for them, and their diets, but they deserve better. They are the ones who know how things were before we came, how can we just shuck them away? I understand that sometimes, a nursing home is best; I know of some folks who agonize on that, but I just cannot consider it;

well like all thing i think it depends on the person and surrounding situations, just coz you old dont mean your wise, but older people tend to have more knowledge about life. but personally I think the everyone should be treated with respect, wha happened to common courtesey I would like to know.

The elderly ones must always be respected and they are very more wise man and experts of the young people!

I think that society as a whole has taken the respect away from the elderly. 20 years ago, you rarely saw the elderly in nursing homes because families actually took care of each other. Now, people can't be bothered with the elderly. It's almost like they are seen as a nuisance these days. I can't really explain it, but I blame society as a whole.

Society has changed so much and what our grandparents been through is no longer same as what we are going through, not to mention the younger generations. Children today are better educated, more informed and hence are more reactive and spontaneous. They are too eager for results which contradicts with the teachings of our elders, at least my elders. It is not that we do not respect them, it is just that our thinking differs so much, and if they do not realise this and still impose on us, we feel rebellious and hence, might be read as being dis-respectful. we ought to respect them for what they have been through and bring us up, for without them, we are not what we are today.

I was brought up to respect them and so where my Children to be honest My Children will respect them but if they come across a nasty one then they will stand up for themselves I think it is getting worse Here in the Uk sometimes the elderly are worse then the Teenager and then they wonder why the Teenagers rebel

Yes, there will be elderly, wise people to look up to in the future because the kids of today will learn by their mistakes and hopefully maturity will give them the wisdom to change their ways. As you said, wisdom comes with age, and I believe that will never change. I know there's the elderly bashing, but that's a sorry state for the world to be in, and I think only done because it's easier to bash and rob an elderly person than a younger one. They have a routine of going to pick up their pension and the kids get to know this. Not that I agree with it... I think it's terrible but with the increase in world population and absence of jobs, these things do seem to be happening more. Brightest Blessings my dear friend. x

Whe young people are growing up they don't have any respect for any one 10 or more years older than them. As they grow older and more mature one you hope that they realize older people were once you and can usually gie good advice etc. because they have been there done that.

Hi Hon, Yes it is a human disgrace of how some people treat their elders and how not only in US but here in Australia how I hear some dreadful goings on like the elderly being bashed, as when I was growing up I learnt to highly respect my elders and have always done this, and due to me being adopted a lot of my adopted family did not love or respect me but my grandparents always showed love and respect for me and in return I did the same for them as well. I know that it is getting worse here in Australia unfortunately.

Elderlies here in my country are still given extra attention and care. The people here have this famous characteristic known all over the world. Its called "Filial Piety." We know how how to show respect, give in our seats and even holding their hands while crossing the streets. I've seen and witness the tremendous transformation of the younger generation nowadays. Its disheartening to know that they forgot the true meaning of respect. I'm not old yet but I met a lot of these kind of people.

It is still best to give due respect to our elders, we will all pass that stage, we wouldn't want to be treated badly when we are old right?

In China,it is a virtue to respect old people. First, the old people contribute to the development of our country from economy to culture.So the young can get a better life. Second, when the young become the old, they experienced lots of things. So they are brave and strong. Shouldnt we respect such people? Finally, when people become old ,they are like the babies. We can respect a little child ,why we often embarass old people? In our county ,we often let old people sit in a bus and other places with few chairs.I heard that it is unpolite behavior to the old in America.

no joke, I'm not going to treat someone differently just because they are old. If they are deserving of respect, I'm going to give it to them. If they are rude to me, I will be rude right back.

i think alot of things play in this. i still look up to people older then me. not all of them though. like my mother and father i dont look up to. they were both not very good role models lol. in fact my mom still isnt she still acts liek she is 21 or younger. i think alot goes with what the person has done with there life. i know my kids look up to and respect alot of older people. they love listening to the storys and stuff when they were young and how things are differnt etc. for one thing times are differnt and those that dont try and understnad that it is hard to look up to them cause you feel like they are looking down on you. my husband is 7 years older then me and his friends are usally about 10-15 years older then him so i sit and listen to them and stuff all the time. i love hearing what they have to say. i think alot depends on how you are raised to. parents now days dont teach respect really. everything is given to there kids. the kids dont really have any punishment if they are rude. i mean how many kids do you hear say yes sir no sir.

It is beyond doubt that the elderly should be loved,respected and treated with utmost compassion.

I personally feel that we should all give due respect to all our elderly people no matter we are in relation to them or not. Thats true for myself, whenever I see any elder person around me I feel like to help them and give my all happiness to them by heart. So we all should never forgot that thses are the persons who had in our past made us so smart and strong for our today that we can stand on our feet today.....