Do you need to earn or get respect. My dad tells me that me that he doesn't need earn it, but I believe it's a bunch of crap. Is this true?

Respect is always earned. Those that think otherwise are arrogant.

Here's my view: we do need to give other human beings a degree of respect just because they are another person on the planet. However, I think a whole lot of people confuse respect with power and control and obedience. Just because I have a foundational respect for someone, doesn't mean that I will be bending myself to their will, I can respect you and disagree with you at the same time.

Here's my take on the matter of respect. Some POSITIONS themselves deserve respect; e.g. the office of the President of the US, being a member of the armed forces, any elected position. Doesn't mean that the person in that position deserves respect. However, whether or not you respect President Obama as a person doesn't matter, as President of the US he should be shown respect.

I think a parent deserves respect unless they have done something dishonorable. A parent who abuses or neglects their children or spouse does not deserve respect. A parent who commits crimes does not deserve respect. But otherwise, yes, they are deserving of respect. You may not always agree with them but you should respect their right to be different. Same thing is true of all people you run into in the course of your everyday life.

Basically I think ALL people should be respected - and trusted - unless they've done something to lose it.

We tend to respect other people if we first respect ourselves. If we do not respect ourself, how can we recognise what can be respected in other people? And how can we expect other people to respect us?

Your dad has had experiences you have not - including fathering a child. Perhaps you can respect him for that.

Absolutely everybody has aspects of them that can be respected, and if we want to be respected, we do need to respect other people - as a part of the very important quality: acceptance.

Watch the brilliant coach Anthony Robbins on Youtube.

You have to earn respect, dude. Just like you have to earn trust.