Character demands respect. That’s not a surprising statement in and of itself. Most people who do character building or engage in character education teach this character trait early in the game. Most of us want respect from others. We want respect from children. We don’t see it as much as we should, and we want to do something about that.
Even in cub scout packs, where boys can earn an award for character, respect is sadly lacking. A Cubmaster from Indiana wrote the following earlier this month:
“Recently, I had a parent come and talk to me about the concern of the behavior of many of our Cub Scouts. I too, have witnessed behavior that makes me sad, and I am concerned enough to take some action. As the Cubmaster, I would like to incorporate character building in the Scout Meetings. I have never done anything like this before, but I am wanting to propose this to the School President as well, as the lack of good behavior in many children today, especially in regards to respecting adults is becoming increasingly alarming. I was going through the Web site and came across your program. Any insight that you can share would be greatly appreciated, especially since you are a former school teacher.”
Character demands respect, doesn’t it? In my ongoing study of law, I was in a courtroom recently, watching attorneys and others who were involved in several hearings. Most people know that respect is important in court. They know that the judge, especially, is to be shown respect. When the door opens for the judge’s entrance, a voice calls out, “All rise”. Everyone in the courtroom hurries to stand, whether they truly respect the judge or not. They stand in silence while the judge is seated. They stand until the judge says, “You may be seated.”
Respect for the judge is supposed to extend beyond this. There is to be silence in the courtroom as a sign of that respect. Sadly, in the courtroom I visited, the silence of respect was missing. Attorneys who had grown too familiar with this particular judge – and who themselves lacked character– whispered to one another. Some whispered so loudly that the judge eventually asked them to “reduce the roar in the back so I can hear.” As cases were heard and the courtroom began to clear, a number of offending attorneys left. The room became quieter. Yet one lawyer was not content to listen without adding his comments to a friend beside him. Finally, the exasperated judge stopped the proceedings and fastened his gaze on the whisperer. Calling him by name, he asked the lawyer to stop whispering. The man should have blushed with shame, but he didn’t. He stopped whispering for then, but like an unruly schoolboy, he soon resumed his disrespectful actions.
Character demands respect, and there used to be a far higher measure of it in society. There was a time, well within memory, when cub scouts, brownies, boy scouts, and girl scouts were highly respectful of all adults – but not today. There was a time, well within memory, when adults were respectful in courtrooms, churches, town council meetings, and other public gatherings – but not today. There was a time when students in classrooms were respectful toward teachers, principals, teacher assistants, and visitors – but not today.
Character demands respect – and when we’ve lost respect, we’ve also lost a great measure of character in our society.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?