Time to Teach Respect-Liverpool Echo Letter

**Thunderblaster** · 23/01/2008, 2:26 PM

Originally Posted by Liverpool Echo

I am a young African woman who moved to England a few years ago and I have noticed many differences between Africa and England.
African culture is based more on respect. A child must show respect to any elder because if not he could be punished. Our culture gives parents power over their children and so children mainly behave much better and the problem of juvenile delinquency is much less prevalent.
Compared to Africa, English culture is focused more on human rights and children's opinions are taken more into consideration. This is very important but in other ways, it affects their behaviour because many parents have lost control over their child and in many situations it causes bad behaviour.
I think children need to learn more respect. It might be helpful sometimes to punish children but in moderation and for the right reason.

It is not that difficult to notice differences between England, put Ireland into the same equation, and Africa. As far as human rights is concerned in Africa, I'm not going to even go there. I'm sure there are kids in England that respect their elders and I have no problems with kids having opinions, it actually broadens their minds. Twenty years ago, there was the narrow-minded view that children should be seen and not heard. Thankfully, we are progressing away from that. Kids will only become delinquents from social disadvantages and poor upbringing. Children's opinions, I don't think, makes them any more ill-behaved. Modern children treats adults with plenty of respect, if adults are more open towards them and are willing to listen to their opinions. Remember, the kids are the adults of tomorrow.

**dahamsta** · 23/01/2008, 2:30 PM

Perspective is a very odd thing. I wouldn't call some of the stuff that happens at a tribal level in Africa respectful. I'd call them downright disgusting.

adam

**paul_oshea** · 23/01/2008, 3:10 PM

I am a young African woman who moved to England a few years ago and I have noticed many differences between Africa and England.
African culture is based more on respect. A child must show respect to any elder because if not he could be punished. Our culture gives parents power over their children and so children mainly behave much better and the problem of juvenile delinquency is much less prevalent.
Compared to Africa, English culture is focused more on human rights and children's opinions are taken more into consideration. This is very important but in other ways, it affects their behaviour because many parents have lost control over their child and in many situations it causes bad behaviour.
I think children need to learn more respect. It might be helpful sometimes to punish children but in moderation and for the right reason.

hmmm, need i give the gun crime/stabbings to murder stats of all those u20 who died in London last year, by ethnicity, race etc.......it might contradict some of what that woman is saying.

That letter is a joke.

**gustavo** · 23/01/2008, 3:11 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

hmmm, need i give the gun crime/stabbings to murder stats of all those u20 who died in London last year, ..

Whats that got to do with it?

**paul_oshea** · 23/01/2008, 4:40 PM

everything.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 23/01/2008, 5:06 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

Perspective is a very odd thing. I wouldn't call some of the stuff that happens at a tribal level in Africa respectful. I'd call them downright disgusting.

adam

Was thinking something similar myself. If I were scouring the world looking for examples of best practice in relationships be they interpersonal, inter-generational, inter-gender.... on a broad sweep I think my search would take me away from Africa pretty quickly.