Flown wrote:
Fnord wrote:
I respectfully disagree; but, like all other privileges, respect for one's parents can be revoked at any time and for any reason, with physical or emotional abuse from one's parents being perfectly appropriate reasons.
I suppose we will have to continue to disagree
I believe that a
healthy respect can be earned if parents only reciprocate it to their children (and, no, I don't mean letting them run wild and do whatever they want). When we teach children that they should automatically bow to an authority or the "seat of power, we do them a great disservice and deprive them of multiple learning opportunities. Demanding respect without good explanation not only defies logic but it discourages actual acts of communication, empathy, kindness, honesty, and gratitude. I think the aforementioned approach is unhealthy and unnecessary.
I'd say given the nature of how a relationship with one's parents works it's inevitable it will start from a point of respect. I agree with you that more can be earned once the kid gets old enough to understand things better.
I don't think both of your positions are out of alignment significantly.
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The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.
If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing. —Malcolm X
Real power is achieved when the ruling class controls the material essentials of life, granting and withholding them from the masses as if they were privileges.—George Orwell