Day 10 : Write About Something which You Feel Strongly

 

I feel strongly about the lack of respect that is rampant in todays world. 

Lack of respect is a major cause of dissent these days. Disrespecting individuals, views, boundaries, relationships, gender preferences, religion is making this world more and more polarised. The sad part is no one seems to care. It has become a norm. 

How does it really start? Recently in one of my Counselling Master class there was a discussion on behaviour patterns. Behaviour patterns are outcome of nature and nurture. Nature is your inborn qualities and nurture is what you have been taught, experience and seen around you. 

When I was growing up, I did not have courage to talk back to my parents. We were nurtured in to respecting elders, not talking back with your parents. Even now, when I am a grown up individual with a child of my own, I still cant talk like that with my parents or anybody elderly. That behaviour extended to in my interactions with others too. 

The parenting has undergone a change and it should , with changing times. I see my daughter taking too many liberties and that often leads to friction which I never experienced as a child. There are sometime when she talks rudely and I pass it off as a behaviour natural for a teenager. I hope that doesn’t become a nature with her. 

To some extent, this kind of behaviour is becoming a norm. If you read comments on social media, they are hateful, offensive and many times upsetting to even read for someone like me. Imaging what must be the impact of those comments at whom they are targeted. 

To add to the woes there are TV shows, movies which normalises this kind of language and behaviour. In India, many new age film directors show crude language , cuss words , sexual abuse and violent behaviour saying it is the reality. I am sorry  sir! A normal decent person doesn’t use so many F words to make an impact or resort to violence.  Your showing these things in movies is normalising it more and more. 

Moreover, you switch on the prime time news and it is another slug fest with panel members and the host shouting at the top of their voice, stating their points like a bar fight over a girl. Mind you these are educated people who are famous, and have achieved something in life. If thats what they think is normal to do, we do not have much hope. 

Respectful behaviour is a skill that needs to be developed . If you understand the concept of respect for boundaries, views, personal choices the world will be a better place. You can agree without being disagreeable.