The Respect Crisis

There is a lack of respect in America. Everywhere we go it is obvious—no respect between people or for others’ beliefs and opinions. We cut each other off on the highway, we ignore others when they talk, we say rude things about people we don’t even know. Even places of once-high esteem and respect, such as the Presidency, have suffered a decline in reverence.

It was all over the news headlines and hard to miss: President Obama was giving a speech on June 15 and was interrupted by reporter Neil Munro of the Daily Caller. President Obama reacted with anger, as he should. Most would never dream of interrupting the president—Obama is the first to have to deal with such disrespect to his office. Up until now, Americans have had respect for at least the office of President of the United States,  even if we didn’t like the face of it at the time. But times are tough and tensions are running high.
The said reporter, or as he has been nicknamed, “Obama’s Heckler,” has received little admonishment for his actions, defended by the Daily Center, who claimed they were “proud” of Munro’s actions. He has also received backing from such figureheads as Rush Limbaugh.
Munro getting off the hook for such disrespect is the tip of the iceberg in myriad disrespect embedded in American culture. Young people especially seem to be at the forefront of this cultural change of impertinence.
There is no shortage of blame put upon young people for our rudeness to our elders. And this is certainly true. Young people participate in many conventions that are considered rude and disrespectful to most. Anywhere one looks, one can see a young person with their head bent down to their lap, tapping away at a smart phone or iPod. This can be at a dinner table, restaurant, and most definitely in class. These practices are not only disrespectful to the ones around the person, but if in class, it is rude to the professor, the TAs, and the people behind you. The strangers behind you don’t need to see your most recent Facebook post.
It seems there is a disconnect between many young people and respectful behavior. There are so many variables to factor in—upbringing, social situations, technological advances. It is everywhere on the internet, newspapers, and TV programs that adults think young people are disrespectful. But are we alone to blame for this?
While the technology that seems attached to our hands is new to our generation, we cannot be fully to blame for this. Studies in France suggest this disrespect in young people could be a correlation with the lack of respect elders have for youths. We are considered disconnected, antisocial, and irresponsible. There are little opportunities offered to us.
This is a tough enough world to be breaking into, not including the added stress of being criticized. However, if we as young people wish to be taken seriously, we must find a way to reconnect with the world around us—and yes, that might mean looking away from the small tantalizing screens to pay attention in class.

Sources: Mary Bruce, ABC News; Frederic Neil, NewStatesman