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Wisdom should come with age. Unfortunately it often doesn't. Therefore the expression "There's no fool like an old fool!" Generally speaking, however, a certain consideration and respect should be shown to th elderly until otherwise indicated based on our moral duty which is derived from our mortality and ability to suffer.
Just for being alive longer? Is their opinion more valuable? On one hand, old people do have a long archive of experience, but on the other hand, some people are idiots no matter what age they are.
Yes. Life is hard. Think about all the crap you've been through for however long you've been alive - let's assume you're around 35. So, someone who is 70 has been getting kicked around in this world for twice as long as you. That doesn't earn your respect?
Everyone has a tale to tell, and you can learn from even an idiot's experience.
Respect is an emotion and you can't force someone to feel what they don't. Respect is something that developes.
What if the question were " Are young people worthy of less respect than old people"? I believe most folks would say that young people must earn respect. I'ts the same with older people.
Being a certain age doesn't automatically entitle respect. It would be like automatically disrespecting someone because they are old. It doesn't make sense to me.
Many, if not most older people HAVE earned my respect, but not because of something as shallow as their age. It's because of how they conduct themselves. I'ts the same with younger people too.
Courtesy however is an action and should be given to ALL!
I feel that the young and strong have a duty to show respect and consideration for the old, frail, and weak. The elderly, pregnant women, the ill, and children are more vulnerable and deserve our care and respect.
I can still show respect to people I don't like or agree with and people I think are idiots. In fact, I think people with low intelligence should be given more patience, not less. After all, it's not their fault that they are intellectually challenged. If they are old and dumb, all the more reason to be kind.
I feel that the young and strong have a duty to show respect and consideration for the old, frail, and weak. The elderly, pregnant women, the ill, and children are more vulnerable and deserve our care and respect.
That's not respect; that's consideration. And it should go without saying (which, unfortunately, is not always the case).
Respect is something that has to be earned, and it doesn't make any difference how old you are.
My father commanded respect, even with multiple strokes, he was bright, funny, and cognizant of his surroundings; firm, definitive, and precise in his thought processes. He had a biting sense of humor and a sharp perspective, and everyone admired him from the time he was in his 20s til he died at 72. He didn't tolerate the sympathy of those who thought he was old and frail or a cripple - even when he was. He was always a perfect gentleman - even with a cane or a walker, he would hold doors open for women.
My mother on the other hand was a very silly woman, she spent thousands of dollars on psychics, "cheap land in Baja, California!" and after my father passed found an ad in the Globe grocery-store paper from a guy who promised "I can get you all the money from the government that you deserve!". She sent him her Social security number as well as my father's, and ALL of her personal information. When her SS and retirement money started disappearing right after it was deposited, she - blamed the bank tellers for stealing it. Even though I proved to her that the guy was wanted in 7 states for fraud, and was being sought by several attorneys general, She insisted that it couldn't be him - he was nice. My father and she had seperate bank accounts for this reason; he was very frugal and when he passed left her not only three insurance policies, but $37,000 in the bank - he had even paid for their burial spot in advance. In less than a year she was broke, and had to move in with us. She stayed with us for 4 years, usually hiding the vodka bottles under her bed. Then, solvent again, she bought a new Lexus and moved 150 miles away to my brother's house, and never paid another dime on the car. A year after she passed, they were still looking for their money or the car - which my brother kept in his garage.
Whom do you think I respected more?
People earn respect. Age, pregnancy, physical disabilities have nothing to do with it. I've known quite a few women who got pregnant to 'trap' a man (yes, still in this day and age) or to get money from the government, and people who drank or got stoned and ended up shot or crippled because of their behaviors. I am polite to folks I don't know, but I don't respect them until I know them - and only when they have shown that they are worthy of respect.
That's not respect; that's consideration. And it should go without saying (which, unfortunately, is not always the case).
Respect is something that has to be earned, and it doesn't make any difference how old you are.
No. You are limiting the definition of respect to that of a feeling. Respect can be a feeling, but it can also be a conduct of ethics and a moral value.
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You can't force respect
