Reply to Having children say "yes sir" or "yes mam"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

Oh wow, I don't even know where to begin. Do you seriously not believe it is good for children to respect authority? Surely kids cannot be given authority over adults so how exactly do you define equality? Of course children deserve respect but that doesn't mean that they are on an equal playing field with adults. In fact, I make it a point to tell my kids they are not equal with adults. It doesn't mean they should be treated more poorly, it means that they do not have the authority to say and act however they want. So whether it's me, their teacher, their friend's parent, their babysitter, they need to respect that authority.

I recently moved to the South from DC and have heard a few kids say 'sir' and 'ma'am.' It's actually surprisingly really nice to hear. It just sounds like someone who has been raised with a lot of class and manners. We have so much of the opposite nowadays with parents treating their kids like friends (or 'equals'), and kids treating adults with zero respect. [b]I say if it reinforces respect and courtesy, why not?[/b] [/quote]

But it doesn't reinforce courtesy[b] in this area, where people don't do it and don't want to get sirred/ma'amed. It's not courteous to call somebody something they don't want to be called.

And actually I don't think it does reinforce respect, anyway. When you call somebody sir or ma'am, does that cause you to feel more respect for them?[/b][/quote]

Well given some of the responses on here it does sound like some people do appreciate being sir'ed and ma'amed. Particularly if you are an older AA or someone from the south, I bet you would very much appreciate it. No, not every child has to say it but I certainly don't think it's going to offend anyone if OP's children say it. And if it does offend you, then you need to find some bigger problems.[/quote]

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