Teaching Respect

On a December 8th episode of NPR's "News and Notes" program discussed so-called "Respect laws" that require "students to address teachers as 'ma'am' or 'sir.'"

Apparently, these laws are in response to the disrespectful manner in which so many young people address their elders, these days. In the case of teachers, some of these youths may be less-inclined to show the proper respect because, after all, "You ain't my Mama!"

To be fair, there are a number of very respectful, very courteous young people in this country. Unfortunately, it only takes a few bad apples to spoil the whole bunch. In this case, I'd say we're well past "a few."

In the broadcast, the commentators mentioned the fact that, as children, they weren't allowed to address their elders by their first names. Doing so had memorably unfavorable consequences.

The same was true of me. In fact, I still call many of my mother's friends "Miss" this or that.

I'm sure there's a cultural element, as well, though. After all, I don't know of too many Black families where the children can curse at their parents or call them and their friends by their first names. I can't say the same of our White friends and associates.

I don't know if this law is overkill, but I think it's well past time that we backed our education professionals up so they can effectively perform one of the most challenging jobs I can think of.

We need to work harder at teaching respect to our students so they'll work harder at respecting their teachers... and themselves.

What do you think?