Respecting their elders?

[Cross Over the Lake]

Do you think today’s youth are being raised with the idea to respect their elders. I remember growing up being taught that. Even with old cousins I was taught to respect that they were older and follow their direction. Not in a lifestyle sense, but if I was acting up they could almost direct me. I don’t know how relevant of a teaching it is in Christian households. I try to practice it in my own home. Thoughts?

 

[public hermit]

Yes Sir, it was a big thing in my household. I still use various terms of respect, but more and more people chafe at them. It's such a habit, now. But, part of what I was taught was not just respect for elders, but deference. Open doors, give them the seat, stand up when they come into the room, etc.

I worry that a loss of respect for elders adversely affects the whole barrel. People of age have so much wisdom and experience to share, so that even if they have not lived the most admirable lives they still have that experience to share. For whatever reason, I have spent a good bit of my life around people of age and I have greatly benefitted from it.

 

[Tigger45]

Of course it depends on the individual youth but our society in the U.S. as a whole sends the message that young age is valued and with the decline of social politeness and manners it seems to me that respect for your elders is on the decline also.

 

[com7fy8]

Not in a lifestyle sense, but if I was acting up they could almost direct me.

Maybe you need to edit this to say, "always direct me." Watch out for spell check's ability to correct a misspelling to a word you do not mean Proofread your spell check!

Do you think today’s youth are being raised with the idea to respect their elders.

I think ones are, but not all.

And I suspect that adults themselves do not respect their elders; so how ever can they mentor the youths, if they themselves do not?

One thing which even older people do is worry about how they look and how old they are getting. They can put their own selves down. This world's culture has brought people up to even fear old age! But in Jesus a senior is someone who has matured for decades and can be an essential resource for God's people. No amount of seminary or even younger experience can be a substitute for maturity in Jesus.

But we see how seniors can be lost in the congregation, while young ministers are displayed up front.

But, even so, younger ones in Christ can minister. And the seniors can share in home groups and personal conversations. They might prefer not to be up front, but they can personally share their example which ministers more than what words alone can tell. And they can mentor the younger ones who are more public in ministry.

But I have seen how an older person can dye one's hair, perhaps actually ashamed of what the person looks like, even afraid of how people will feel about the person. That can come from how Adam and Eve were ashamed of what they looked like.

If people do not know how to love us because of what we look like, we need to help them, pray for them, not be afraid of them . . . not allow unloving people to have power to shame us!! If we have matured in Jesus, we can feed example which no amount of Bible scholarship and training can produce.

So many want to have a long life, but

. . . . . . . . . . . . .they don't want to get old!

 

[bèlla]

Children learn what they live. The likelihood of rearing respectful children is greatest when they see the behavior echoed in their parents and loved ones.

I was raised in an environment where honorifics and good deportment were expected. My parents were conscientious about our influences and sought the company of like-minded adults who reared their children in a similar fashion. As a result, we saw a consistent display of respectfulness in our world. When we encountered departures the magnitude was great. Almost shocking.

Nevertheless, we didn’t hear that age begets wisdom. Foolishness appears in all age groups. I spent a lot of time observing and listening too. Fables and myths were common subjects I devoured along with wisdom texts from the bible. This reinforced the necessity of common sense and its absence in things I overheard, read, or encountered later on.

I was not encouraged to follow anyone. We were instructed to lead instead. I was never swayed by peers or fell into the wrong groups either. They couldn’t influence me and I wouldn’t listen. I wasn’t rebellious towards adults. But I didn’t assume they knew best either. Sometimes they did and other times they didn’t.

I had a sense of personal responsibility and accountability. Being in a rut because I followed someone was a result I couldn’t live with. If I put myself in that position that’s okay. I’ll take the lumps and learn from my mistakes.

As an adult, I listen and sift the words through a holy filter. I balance the two. Respect is not equal to agreement and the latter is what many wish. I won’t agree or validate anything which contradicts my convictions or spirit. Regardless of age or position. That’s my barometer.

~Bella

 

[NBB]

People today throw elders in asylums when they are 'not useful' anymore.

 

[Cross Over the Lake]

People today throw elders in asylums when they are 'not useful' anymore.

That's funny that you say that because I am a Certified Nursing Assistant who has worked in those "asylums", currently working in hospice care. It's a difficult thing being placed somewhere when you are elderly and unable to take care of yourself. Hopefully you are doing okay lol.

You know what I mean though, elders are anyone older and wiser than you!! Some of them just happen to be "elderly".

 

[NBB]

That's funny that you say that because I am a Certified Nursing Assistant who has worked in those "asylums", currently working in hospice care. It's a difficult thing being placed somewhere when you are elderly and unable to take care of yourself. Hopefully you are doing okay lol.

You know what I mean though, elders are anyone older and wiser than you!! Some of them just happen to be "elderly".

I just can't stand that people were raised and supported until they were adults by their parents and then just like that they put them in a 'asylum' when they have some trouble.

About respecting elders, i think today society is messed up in that regard, compared to before in the time of my mother or grandmother, where you couldn't even talk if not given permission at the table if you were a kid, and poor you if you disrespected an elder.