why should children be polite to teachers who are not?
By pandaeyes
@pandaeyes (2065)
February 5, 2010 1:06pm CST
At school I remember how accusing teachers were. It was all about them and us and there was a great deal of dislike from certain teachers to perfectly ordinarily behaved children.
My own children had similar experiences. Teachers would demand things of them as though they were some sort of sub human race.
Not surprising then that teenagers leave school arrogant and unsure of themselves.
My neighbor is a teacher and she has absolutely no manners.
I worry about society at the hands of these people.
What can be dome about it?
There must be countries where school is not full of dislike and disrespect mustn't there?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
5 Feb 10
I know when I was growing up there was much more of a "children should be seen and not heard" attitude. But I can't say that I've heard anything like this from my children about their teachers.
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
5 Feb 10
Thanks for the reply. I think it might depend on the country but anyway, there have been numerous times when I have heard my children and their friends commenting incredulously on the statements of teachers.
One of my daughters friends moved school because of bullying and when she went to collect her course work to take to the new school, they had thrown it away.
She said she didn't care as that teacher had already told them all not to bother as they would all end up being ladies of the night.
People often give teens a bad reputation automatically but I can see how that sort of treatment would have anyone on the defensive.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
5 Feb 10
My daughter has had a problem with nerves and she was on her way to getting an ulcer and so far all the teachers have been really understanding, so I'm glad she's where she is.
@ldyshkspr (77)
• United States
6 Feb 10
i agree- i homeschooled my daughter for awhile and this was one of the reasons. she is a very intelligent girl and asked alot of questions, the teachers didnt seem to like her for this reason and told me so - that she asked too many questions. wtf?
she even got in trouble once for giving the teacher a "high five" - something this teacher did EVERYDAY, but on this day insists she wasnt doing that. she whined about my daughter hurting her hand. so she got detention for a couple of days. i tried to tell that teacher there was no way kay is like that, i should know my own kid but she yelled at ME up one side and down the other. my daughter hated school and its no wonder. when I started homeschooling she learned so much more. even my husband (divorced now) believed you should respect teachers simply because they are teachers and well they wouldnt "lie" he also believed adults should get respect and you should do what your told without question simply because they are over 18. his philosophy was im an adult so i can do what i want but your a kid (or a wife - he said that too) so you have to do what your told. and i think thats bull sh-t my child is happy and getting ready for college now and i have been single 2 years and am happy as well
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
6 Feb 10
Thanks for the reply.
Sounds like you did the right thing for your daughter.
We home-schooled ours too for a long time and then they went back for the college bit(16-18) at the end of school as that was the only way they could gain entrance to the University .
I am not averse to school, it has its good bits but I do think that in school and other areas of life, kids are often insulted and disregarded and are expected to just take it in good humor.
@garfield_lemia (108)
• Philippines
6 Feb 10
I actually experienced fighting with my teacher. Verbal. Accusing me of something. It was actually some issues about how untrue are newspaper in school. I actually saw some wrong doings within our club. We actually told our dean.... Sometime being polite show be given to those who deserve it...
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
6 Feb 10
It is very unfair when as a young person in school, you know you are in the right but you are punished anyway.
I remember that from my own schooldays. One teacher lost my exam paper and pretended I had not done the exam, she was furious when my parents wrote and complained to the head of the school but at the end of the day, she produced the paper I was supposed not to have completed.
@1corner (744)
• Canada
5 Feb 10
Right you are. Sadly, that's the state of not only our schools, but also our societies too. It doesn't seem to matter where in the world we are. Anyone in a position of authority is expected to receive respect, but isn't required to give it back (and they don't often give it). It's terribly unfair, and off-putting, to kids when this happens. Like you, I grew up in such an atmosphere. Fortunately, not all the adults I came in contact with were obnoxious, so I developed my own way of coping. Respect - the giving of and receiving - is all about character in my opinion, but it certainly makes things easier when everyone gives & earns respect based on merit.
I think all we can do now, as grown-ups and/or parents ourselves, is to teach the kids we're responsible for to learn to earn respect themselves, and to give it when earned. Tell them to be civil to those who haven't earned it, yet are in positions of authority. Unfortunately, unless people's natures change, I don't see the status quo changing.
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
5 Feb 10
That's true.
We have always tried to be respectful to our kids and show that respect is something that is just good manners (what with us all being human beings).
I like to instill equality but it is difficult when those who are such prominent role models are not playing by the rules.
