Why are adolescents so disrespectful, what the hell happened to respecting elders?

All good points.

I think it really went down hill when Dr. Spock ( no not the Star Trek character ) released his book on child raising. He said never to spank or really discipline your child for fear of damaging their ego. Now we have children who were originally raised off of that book having children of their own. They were never disciplined so they have no clue as how to keep their children in line.

Second is the number of single moms raising kids. I am not bashing them saying they cannot do a good job, but children need a strong father presense in their lives.

Lastly, our society has become so "politically correct" that children know that they do not have to have respect for authority because they know there will be no consequences if they are not. Teachers, school officials, coaches, mall security, whoever, cannot administer discipline for fear of being sued or fired.

I never had this problem. Respect in my household is non-negotiable. I 'demand' it! And I was never shy about using the belt either. It worked wonderfully. I always tried to set the best example possible. Neither of my (now grown) children NEVER EVER saw me thieve, smoke, drink or whore around. I never made a promise that I didn't keep and I never lied to them.

The biggest problem that I see nowadays is that too many parents are trying to be their children's 'friend'. Not once did I ever try to be their friend. That's what they have little Sally & Johnny down the street for. I'm the parent first and last. And as a parent I have a duty to uphold. Too many parents don't want any conflict and let their kids run wild and then pump them full of drugs to calm them down. And then they wonder why their kids are mean, hard-headed, psycho and show no respect. Well duh! The problem is obvious.

Don't blame the sistem ! Why ? Caus YOU ARE THE SISTEM ! It started about the time (Kids) were no longer referd to as childern,We the sistem ,alowed big busness to take over goverment !We began firing nany's, house-keepers, Ante's Grandmothers, In faver of cheeper less maintenise ,---TV.'s then Vidio's, We took the sting out of the teachers toungs and rollers. Teachers are no longer alowed to instruct or tell ,students what is or what will be ! THay moust ask the student first!! Childern may divorse,or sue unrully parentse. The sistom better get its act together soon ! befor the Kids start Youthenising Elders in faver of robots !!!

It's has to do with liberalism, the national plague, and parents who are products of the 60's (when the curse began) and later. Liberals will, for example, allow their children to throw poop on the wall as a form of free expression, and kids are taught that anything that has to do with respect and values is evil.

There was a guy in my city who tried to run over cops because they told him to turn down his music, then they had to shoot him. This is the sort of rebellious attitudes they have, and it's also backed up by laws that prevent parents from disciplining them.

Most of it has 2 do with the way kids are brought up today,.some parents dont have the time and some just dont care.If i talked to elders the way kids do 2day i would be ashamed of myself and would be punished.It's sad 2 see how kids have no respect 4 no one,set their own rules,dont listen.And these kids are going 2 be tomorrow's leaders!Someone needs a wake up call before it's too late!

I think it is the lack of discipline. People aren't allowed to disipline their children without it being child abuse. You never heard of such a thing years ago, and they turned out great for the most part. I remember when the teachers could disipline the children and they got it the second time, when they got home. You have to explain why you are doing so, and that you want them to grow up to be respectful of others. and that you love them enough to care. God Bless you for your concern..

In this fast paced world the kids have for the most part had to fend for themselves, Morals are taught as well as shown, if you are not taught nor shown you will not know.It really is a do as I do world more to our sorrow. You can not demand respect you must earn it.

For generations adults see teens showing disrespect.

I'm not fully convinced kids today are really any worse then previous.

The problem may lie in each generation forgets their owns sins of bad behaviour.

Rather then criticize we should lead by example most young adult and older adults show bad behaviour to each other as well.

This might be new to you,but it's really nothing new.

It's been going on for a long time.Check out some old movies from the '50s.They're full of greasers who epitomized rebellion.

the present day stock of elders are not respectable. they are the wild baby boomers coming of age. they will upset all the stereotypes of the elderly just as they made trouble their whole lives in society.