Children are often asked to respect the rules, to respect others, to respect adults,... but isnt' this approach to respect one-sided?
As adults, we often speak of respect to children in different contexts; but what understanding do they have of this word?
Do we take the time to explain to them what respect really means?
Indeed, they are often asked to respect the rules, to respect others, to respect adults, to respect the equipment they use...
But isnt' this approach to respect one-sided?
When children are questioned, they quickly illustrate respect as follows:
I must listen to adults.
I must not break nor damage the equipment.
I must obey.
I have to put my things away and throw litter in the trash.
I must speak politely.
Etc.
You can see that they never mention respect for their own limits, their own space, their personal belongings, or their needs.
The prerequisite to respecting others is self-respect.
You have to consider yourself as an individual with rights, needs, desires... A person who does not respect himself cannot succeed in respecting others.
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