Rrrrrrespect!

Whilst reading this piece from the BBC, the following paragraph stuck in my craw:

There's an idea among some criminologists and sociologists that if respect isn't a two-way street, you create something they call "asymmetric citizenship". They warn that unless the young are treated decently, they are likely to react in precisely in the ways society most fears.

The cycle of respect: "You have to give respect to get respect". A good, solid argument. However, I was brought up to believe that "respect has to be earned". These are not conflicting concepts, however it is true to say that one must precede the other.

The concept of respect is far from alien in today's youth. Cultural influences are teaching our youngsters that "to be respected" is all important. "Are you dissin' me!" is a cry that is heard all too often, a cry that in my opinion is rooted firmly in rap culture. Listen to a few rap albums and count the number of times the words respect and disrespect are used. Nobody seems to be teaching youngsters that "earning respect" is the only way to properly gain the respect they think they are entitled to.

Respect is earned by your deeds and actions. These criminologists and sociologists who are asking us to subscribe to the idea of "asymmetric citizenship" seem to be suggesting that we need to break the cycle by dishing out respect to people who have done nothing to earn it.

Sorry. Over my dead body.

Filed under: Politics, New Labour Spin