Common Courtesies

Common courtesies appear to be a rare occurance in our society today. Where have they gone and from whence do they come? Before the early 1900s, chivalry and genteel ways were commonplace. They were down to a fine art by the mid 1900s, to the point of bantering. Then with the rise of the women's liberation movement for equality among sexes, chivalry and courtesy towards women, if accepted, was considered weakness. In turn, the male population lost respect. It is not wrong to have made a stand for equality in some areas but what has happened is the 'baby was thrown out with the bath water' It has been a gradual diminishing of respect on both sides.

I believe that today the media has been a very powerful tool in setting the trend of what is seen as acceptable to the younger generation today. Fashion trends, behavioural trends, speech trends. But where in fact does society get what it deems acceptable to society? Regardless of race and culture, where do our customs , national traditions and acceptable behavioural patterns come from?

Before the eras of industry and technology, history shows us that much of what we think, do, and say comes from folklore, stories, songs and sacred writings which have been passed down from generation to generation. Our mothers and fathers taught us and their mothers and fathers taught them, and their parents before them and so on.

The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV) :

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your heart. Impress them on your children. Talk to them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

In other words, it is the parent's prerogative and responsibility to teach their own children. This is nothing new, this has been happening for thousands of years. Yet, it has been in these recent years, where that responsibility has more often than not, due to commitments outside the home, been passed on, consciously and willingly or not, to schools and other learning institutions, even Sunday Schools. Yet, the underline factor remains - it is still the parents' primary responsibility and it always comes back on them.

Television has now become the most common medium to shape the way of society. Has offensive language become so commonplace, that it is now acceptable? God forbid!

The family is the foundation and fabric of society, mediums such as television and media should be used in a more constructive way and should do more to support and make families stronger. Preschool programs have been useful in reinforceing such healthy personal habits such as personal hygiene, being orderly, sharing with others, caring for animals etc. So it should be also for older children, teenagers and young adults.

Bad and offensive language should be seen as unacceptable once more; the code book of the law should be adhered to, and not that a man becomes a hero because he doesn't go by the book; violence should be unacceptable and shown as such, not projecting that the good guy can be just as violent as the bad guy and/or even worse because the good guy outdoes and triumphs over the bad guy by being even more violent!

We should turn the tables and begin to teach our children once again to grow to be respected members of society with:



RESPECT AND HONOUR

1. Parents

Deuteronomy 5:16 (NIV)

"Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and they it may go well with you...."

Proverbs 23:22 (NIV)

"Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old."

Ephesians 6:1

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."


2. Elderly

Leviticus 19:32 (NIV)

"Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord."


3. Authorities


1 Peter 2:13-14 (NIV)

"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authoritiy instituted among men; whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right."

Titus 3:1 (NIV)

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good."

4. Everyone

1 Peter 2:17 (NIV)

"Show proper respect for everyone...."


5. Husbands

1 Peter 3:1 (NIV)

"Wives, in the same way be submissive (meek) to your husbands...."




CONSIDERATION

1. Wives

1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives....."


2. To others

Titus 3:2 (NIV)

"To slander no-one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility to all men."


As parents, let us also not forget to set a good example for our children. Then the world would be a much better place.



Copyright. Rebecca Laklem.