Analyze/Among the fundamentals of harmonious social coexistence, there is respect for others which is a mark of courtesy that is acquired from childhood. You only have to see the reaction of primary school students in Africa each time a teacher or a high authority enters a class to realize that, at this basic stage of education, respect for elders is already a reality which is not limited only to respect for teachers and other senior staff, but also for all elders who, like all other elders, also have the duty to respect their younger siblings because in matters of discipline and education, there is not a group who have an obligation to respect, and another one who must not show the same mark of politeness, especially towards their juniors or those who do not have the same social rank as them.
Teaching at primary level “a practical discipline which says what is right or wrong in matters of conduct” aims to shape respectful citizens because marks of politeness are as much required for those who have a high social rank as for those who do not enjoy the same privilege. Respect calls for respect. Whether the other is big or small, they have the right to be respected and to be treated with dignity, and not with contempt. It is a mutual duty which is one of the fundamentals of very enriching social cohesion and favourable to real development, both at the level of humans, and the society in which they live.
This is the reason why to the African proverb according to which we must carry the bag of the one who surpasses us, we respond by saying: Does a person absolutely have to be above us socially speaking to show to him a sign of respect? In fact, that's what it's all about. It's about mutual respect. A respect that translates into marks of politeness and sincere service which, however, does not consist of accepting nonsenses.
He who has a good basic education knows that he cannot always be the greatest, and that whatever his rank, in addition to the fact that others have the duty to respect him, he also has the duty to do the same. If the one who is older may not be the wealthiest, his financial situation compared to that of others does not detract from the fact that he must be respected. When the counter-values teach to respect those who are fortunate because there is a lot to gain, the true values ask to respect everyone, always on the basis of the fact that every human being has the right to be respected and treated with dignity, regardless of inappropriate behaviour that can lead certain people to show unfortunate reactions, caused by acts that are themselves annoying and disrespectful which encourage them to do the same. Just as someone who is older or more fortunate deserves respect commensurate with his rank, so too does who are less fortunate or of lower social status.
By observing the attitude adopted by certain older women towards first ladies in sub-Saharan Africa in particular, you will realize that they call them mom. Some children might wonder why do older mothers call a lady younger than them mom? The answer is very simple! The wife of a president of the republic is a mother of the Nation. And it is the same in educational establishments. Still in sub-Saharan Africa, the name and class are mentioned on the outfits of secondary school students in particular. Those of the lower classes must be respectful towards those of the upper classes who also have the duty to show in various ways, that they also respect those who owe them this respect, even if today, it is clear that the youngest show a great lack of respect towards their elders.
If before a student could not enter a higher class without authorization, today, we should not be surprised to see a student in the first year of secondary school disrespecting seniors in the last year of secondary school. The same goes for teachers who are ordered by their superiors to apologize to recalcitrant students. We wonder where the respect has gone? Some will say what did the teacher do? But we must also ask ourselves what the student did? If the mutuality of respect implies that the two apologize to each other, there are cases where the teacher is certainly within his rights, but is required to apologize to a turbulent and aggressive student who will learn nothing good from a life experience rich in lessons. These are cases which reflect a disorientation of respect for immoral ends which mock the morality which would dictate that we respect others, not because we expect something in return, but because independently of the considerations which favour condescending behaviour, respect is fundamental and everyone must be able to know how to show a gratuitous respect which also calls for others equally gratuitous with a few exceptions.
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