By Michelle Ramirez

Trail Staff Writer

Respect has several aspects — self-respect, respect towards others and respect for the things around you. As our culture continues to evolve, we are continually desensitized to violence, sex and rude behavior. As one who has participated in such activities, I understand the struggle of youth in America to act in a way deemed proper. However, lack of self-restraint is no excuse.
Growing up, I was always told to respect adults, be polite and act in a civil manner in public. My brother, sister and I received heavy reprimands for acting out or disobeying an authority figure. I carry the manners that were instilled in me as a child to the present and I truly believe that has made all the difference in how much people trust me as well as how much they respect me.
We have all seen that kid in any grocery store who is kicking, screaming and throwing a fit to try to coax his or her parents into buying them candy, toys, etc. I have even seen children strike their parents in an attempt to have them bend to the children’s will.
My generation has almost completely abandoned the basic principles of respect. While I understand that it is almost impossible to be nice and proper all day, every day, I think that we have lost the meaning and purpose behind respecting other people as well as ourselves.
Honestly, I blame parents for letting the television and video games raise their kids. One in two marriages ends in divorce, creating a multitude of single-parent homes.
While it would be nice if we were in the Hilton family and inherited sickening amounts of money upon birth, most of us are middle-class people. That means we have to work for a living. While mom and dad are at work, children are left to be raised by the school system, their peers, or their caretaker. If parents took the time to look after their kids, be involved in their activities and try to be a positive influence in their life, children would grow up to be more respectful and productive adults.
The school system should integrate manners into their academic agenda. An educated child with bad manners is an ultimate failure to education all together.