As an adult, How can you disrespect the elderly? Why would you want to?
By dloveli
@dloveli (4366)
United States
September 13, 2008 6:56am CST
One of my jobs is at a donut shop. Located directly across the street is a Veterans Administration Hospital( VA). Some of them are disabled and in use of a wheelchair. Some have extreme mental problems and dont even know the day of the week or what year it is. I try to treat all of them, no matter what the issues are. Lately I see the other workers and patrons are making fun of them or giving them a hard time for nothing. I dont like that. I think that these men and women fought hard for our freedom. They gave us something more precious than their lives. They gave us peace but they must suffer horrible pain and discomfort for the remainder of their lives. The sad part is that there are some of us that find these people amusing due to their handicaps. SHAME ON YOUS!!!! You know who you are! I see so many men and women that have fought for our freedoms, become homeless, or alcoholics, addicts, or mentally incompetent. Instead of helping them, we make fun of them. We abuse them. We steal from them. These actions are unacceptable. Its not just happening where I live. It's everywhere. I bet if you think real hard you can find someone who has been guilty of this at one time or another. Please!!!?? Help to teach the younger generation to respect these heroes. No matter how they look. Sometimes just saying,"Hello, How are you feeling today", is a gift in itself. Please join me in trying to stop this. Imagine when we get older. Do you want to be treated like that?
6 people like this
17 responses
@sutanhartanto (4122)
• Indonesia
13 Sep 08
that's so bad! especially they make fun of them who struggled for their country, hence for the ones who make fun of them 
. i wonder how the guys can be so thankless. well, of course have to do something. it's not enough to just pray, Father, let them have forgiveness, for they have no knowledge of what they are doing
i think in here and there in my place, it is also happening. the people who struggled for my country freedom, the heroes, they likely never enjoy what they struggled for. some of them live in poverty, can hardly eat regularly everyday.
i saw on tv, an old (about 75+) veteran is still struggling for their daily meal by working as an unofficial porter in a traditional market 
. can you imagine that? you know, despite what he did in the past to struggle for our country's liberation. the hero deserves much better that that.
. i wonder how the guys can be so thankless. well, of course have to do something. it's not enough to just pray, Father, let them have forgiveness, for they have no knowledge of what they are doing
i think in here and there in my place, it is also happening. the people who struggled for my country freedom, the heroes, they likely never enjoy what they struggled for. some of them live in poverty, can hardly eat regularly everyday.
i saw on tv, an old (about 75+) veteran is still struggling for their daily meal by working as an unofficial porter in a traditional market . can you imagine that? you know, despite what he did in the past to struggle for our country's liberation. the hero deserves much better that that.
@msedge (4011)
• United States
3 Oct 08
I always respect everybody regardless of age specially the older ones.We are all human.We all deserve to be treated as one.And i teach my daughter how to be respectful to anybody.Of course i don't want to be treated that way.There are just people that never cares of someone's feeling.But i still believe that one day everything will turn back to them.God is fair.He always find a way to be fair to everybody.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
14 Sep 08
I would never disrespect my elders because I know that someday if God grants me this, I will be one of them and I don't want to be ridiculed by a Rambo wannabe. As you have said in your post, our elders have given a great contribution to society and they deserve all our respect whether they are senile or not.
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
16 Sep 08
[i]Hi dloveli,
In our Country, I don't see any people who are making fun of the older ones! We are family-oriented and in a house, kids grow up having grandpa and grandma with them so seeing them in the streets is not new to these young people..same as those mentally ill! Sometimes, you will see kids laughing and most are the streetchildren who also needs attention and love by parents!
ANyway, no one would like to be treated that way and to avoid these situations, parents should take part since it is their responsibilities to teach their kids how to be respectful with other people![/i]
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
16 Sep 08
I agree, dloveli, that elder abuse is rampant in society today. I see it happening all the time -the disrespect and mockery that target the elderly. I always ask myself how it is that these young people can show such disrespect toward their elderly. I was not brought up in that way and I did not bring up my kids like that. I taught them to show respect to the elderly. Those who ar guilty of behaving in such a manner should be charged with a hate crime, in my opinion. They are totally blind to the fact that they will one day be the elder members of society themselves.
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
14 Sep 08
First of all. I don't think your title is appropriate for the discussion. I think it should've been 'how can you RESPECT the elderly?' rather than the word 'disrespect'.
Being elderly isn't a sin, they've gone through their lives and yes, you are right when you said that they need to be treated with respect (most especially those in the Veteran's Hospital) because they did us good during their prime. Anyhow, regardless the age, everyone deserves respect though honestly it's quite difficult.
I have to say it's quite difficult for some since there really are old people who tend to be cranky or rude for no particular reason at all. I have even come across a topic here in mylot describing how two old women laughed and ridiculed a mother of a boy who was wearing baggy pants. I don't know if you came across that particular topic but that's just one of the many 'faults' of older people as well (they tend to not respect others since they feel they don't have to since they're older).
Anyhow, regardless the age, people should really consider the value of respect. As one of the golden rules teaches us: Do good unto others if you want others to do good unto you. It's just a give and take deal. If you want others to treat you as trash, then go ahead and do so.
I actually came to this topic because I was intrigued by the title. I thought you were referring to trying to Disrespect old people. Hehe.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
14 Sep 08
I always try to treat the elderly with respect, I think it is only right and if they are annoying I usually move away I don't like to insult them.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
13 Sep 08
I grew up respecting the elderly, and my elders. I also passed this along to my daughters. I can't stand people that treat others the way you have described and if I'm close enough, I make sure they know how disrespectful they are being, and I put them in their place. The sad part is, most of them that are disrespectful are, or should be, adults. And that is the example they are teaching, I feel sorry for their children.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
13 Sep 08
My father was a disabled veteran....and if anyone had ever made fun of him I would have punched their lights out. Well I think one of life's greatest blessing is the elderly and the wisdom they have to share if they are able. They deserve all the respect we can give them....no matter what. We recently had a big deal here in my little city. There were between 5-15 senior girls on a work study program through school who were working at a nursing home. There is now a huge investigation and hopefully a big court case as these girls were sexually, mentally and physically abusing the residents in the alzheimers unit of the nursing home...filming it and putting it on youtube. Our county attorney is still deciding if they should press charges....well if he doesn't I think he will lose his job. But some of the girls' parents were part of the upper eschilon of our town.....so we'll see. The state is doing the investigating! I think it's one of the worst things I have ever heard!
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
14 Sep 08
I see it all the time too. It is not limited to the veterans....it is the elderly and handicapped in general. I get infuriated when I see it. They are human beings. Its as simple as that. The people that make fun of others for such things are far more handicapped than those they are laughing at.
@izathewzia (5134)
• Philippines
14 Sep 08
I admire how you fairly treated the elderlies. I gre up ina family and community where elders are treated well. We give them the kind of love and respect they deserve. We never neglect their precious contributions in this world of us. And because we wanted to be treated the same. So we are now planting the seeds.
@brendaleemichelle83 (60)
• Canada
13 Sep 08
First of all,Thank you for being a person that respects people with problems.I live with many disabilities and find it hard to live with people who make fun of people like me.It is a breathe of fresh air to see someone care.So thanks for a job well done:) It is really hard to see someone stop making someone else from making fun.But maybe all you can do is turn your cheek because God will deal with them in heaven.He will bless those who do a extra job iun being considerate.All you can do like you said is teach the younger ones the right instead of the wrong.Don't get me wrong we all make mistakes but we can ask God for forginess in making our mistakes.Do what you can as a person in doing your job by being you and continue your kindness.In the end you will be blessed.:)
@carpexdiem777 (37)
• United States
13 Sep 08
As much as one who is younger would think " oh another wierd slow ignorant old person", its not true. They provided the foundations on which we live today. And as bad as some of it is, well most is on OUR part as a whole, but the world is now better than years ago in technology medicine and everything possible. The "old" people have done wonders for the earth. Everyone makes mistakes though so if an "old" person is annoying you, remember, you probably wouldnt be here, because those who "make" you have to be older than you are!
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
13 Sep 08
Lately I see the other workers and patrons are making fun of them or giving them a hard time for nothing.
Yea that sort of behaviour is B.S IMO..I have no tolerance for cruelty to others...
The sad part is that there are some of us that find these people amusing due to their handicaps.
Sadly ppl like that are pathetic and heartless..and its not just to the Vets but to anyone different, or homeless or less forutnate etc etc....As much as its a sick twisted behaviour it'll always exist unfortunatley..
I bet if you think real hard you can find someone who has been guilty of this at one time or another. Please!!!?? Help to teach the younger generation to respect these heroes.
Yea I've known several ppl over the yrs who are coldhearted and uncompassionate like that and again NOT to vets but to various other ppl who dont' "meet their standards" and its disgusting...HOWEVER as much as I do my part to get the right way through the skulls of the younger generation and ppl my own age as well for that matter..SOMETIMES, respect ISNT DESERVED....that doesnt mean I'm rude or cruel by any means, just that I wont give respect to someone who isnt worthy of it regardless of their life, past etc etc...basically ppl like that I jsut pay no mind to.
