Inside a Teen’s Mind

In most of the different traditions and cultures, age is very important. As children and teenagers, we face a lot of different challenges.

We are taught that the older the person, the smarter they are and the more respect they deserve. But that is not always the case.

Based on general knowledge, it’s obvious that as one gets older, the more one knows. It is a proven fact that a child learns easier and therefore has the ability to know more than an older person. Also as an older person, you cannot say you know everything because every day something new is being discovered. You might have known it all in your time, but technology has made a huge impact on how the youth learn and inform themselves. Most of the things an older person knows is irrelevant in this day and age. I am not saying you should go around calling older people stupid, because there are certain things about life no book or any page on the internet can tell you, and an older person can. On that note, I doubt the older you are the smarter you are, but they can be wiser than you are.

Respect is different. No matter whom the person is, one needs to respect them, whether they are younger or older. Respect has nothing to do with age. I am not saying you have to be best buddies with every single person, but being kind does not take that much effort. Treat others as you want to be treated. You cannot expect to be treated like an equal if you treat others like dirt. Respect is only given to those who give it. Respect is not something you are taught in school or by your parents. Respect is part of ethics. Just like you know not to make fun of disabled people, you know to respect every single being. From a baby to an elderly person. Even animals deserve respect.

All in all, older people might not be smarter than you are, but they are wiser, because as I said there are things that they can teach you about life that you cannot find out from any other source of information. And last but not least, respect all your elders. But not just them. Respect everybody. It might not seem like it does now, but it will have a positive impact on your life and will also influence the way you think.

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