The Lack of Respect the Youth of Today Have for Authority, Essay Example

Are We Mimicking the Generation 60?

It is often hypothesized that today’s youth are the second generation of the 60’s sexual and drug revolution that transpired across the world and we are now reaping the negative benefits of what of parents’ sowed. The youth’s lack of respect for authority is often re-enforced by less than proactive television programs and musical lyrics. These re-enforcements are major influences to the youth of today because it is exclusively what the youth enjoys. This in itself contributes to the massive shift of core values and which have been replaced by “If it feels good, I’m going to do it!” [1] (Nolan, J., 2004). This vicarious and loose non-conformist attitude has led to much turmoil in today’s society with respect to the youth of our current generation. Parents’, authority and judicial have become frustrated with the mindset of the offensive youth that ceases to respect authority.

Respect Starts on the Home front

God-oriented authority and the use of governmental laws is the key to effective parenting and promotion of youth generated respect from authority. Authority commences at the home level where basic virtues are taught when a child is able to reason and identify ‘right from wrong’.  It is essential to a child’s development and appreciation for authority figures to commence at the home level for that is where the basis of all respect and self-appreciation begins. One must learn to appreciate and respect himself in order to respect others. All authority is guided by the universal force of God. “Governments and Laws are established to bring order, provide benefits to the citizens of that country, and to punish those who are law breakers. Without a structured government system society breaks down and chaos rules, which is exactly what the evil forces want to happen.” (Nolan, J., 2004).

Purpose of Authority and Checks and Balances

Respect for authoritative figures including parents, elders and other forces such as police, employers, teachers and others comes from the realization that they are there to provide a service to us which is essentially to aide us rather than to control us. When your children do not agree with the constraints posed by authority figures it is very important for parents’ to stress the role of authority figures of being a helping figure. “It is also important to stress that those in authority shall be held accountable for their actions and that authority comes with responsibility.” (Nolan, J., 2004).  A combination of parental guidance and spiritual adherence will naturally ensure the youth of today’s society are geared with the mindset of respecting authority. Again, the first step begins at home through the teachings of the parents’.

References

John, N. (2004) Teach Your Children to Respect Authority Retrieved on 01 September 2009 from http://www.dadsuni.com/index.cfm?Do=View.Page&PageID=103