Society is ever changing because each generation redefines social etiquette. I find that as my generation matures I can see how we have redefined social etiquette. We have made some positive changes and are more accepting of a social group; however, there is also a fear of, or lack of knowledge about addressing authority and a misguided assumption that authority is related to superiority. The issue with this generation's definition of authority in society is a matter of respect.

So I want to start a discussion about both sides of authority to try to sort out how today’s society views it, deals with it and the issues of respect that comes along with it.

We hear things about people of authority, people with authority, people being given too much authority, and undermining and disrespecting authority, but what do all these things really mean? Sure there is a textbook definition of authority, but there is more to it than that—I believe is a self-defined concept. Authority does not automatically earn you respect.

I do not agree with the term “people of authority”; there are no people of authority, there are only individuals given authority. These individuals are equal to those without authority and their authority can be taken away just as easily as it was given. This thought process tends to get me in trouble when I don’t give these individuals as much respect as they think they deserve. Yes, I question authority, yes I speak out, I disagree, I argue and I do not always listen. But an individual that is given authority and recognizes that authority does not make them superior to someone without authority does not get annoyed with someone like me.

I see a lot of people that are afraid to address authority this way—that are afraid to offend these individuals. This is really an issue in work environments with young employees. With today’s economy, high school students, college students, teenage parents and middle age employees all working on the same level in part-time positions at dead ends job: fast food chains and retail. This mix of employees can lead to many social issues. In my experience older employees and young employees that view the job as their long term career have a false sense of authority over other part-time workers. Managers tend to think they can take advantage of young workers that are not yet comfortable enough in a work environment to question when they aren’t given a break, when they can’t leave to use a restroom at any time, when their shift is changed the night before with no notice, when they can’t call out sick, or when they are told to do things by a manager they know is wrong.

I don’t think many people that fail to speak up to authority realize that you can respect authority and question them at the same time. Questioning individuals with authority is not undermining them or disrespecting them and if they claim this, remember to ask for the respect you deserve. Authority is a human trait therefore it is not perfect, meaning that people with authority can be wrong and too self-absorbed to admit it.

I have worked a few crappy jobs in my day and have learned the hard way that being afraid to speak against authority is allowing yourself to be disrespected. Now that I know this I cannot understand why so many other individuals allow themselves to be disrespected out of fear of disrespecting someone. It is not worth sacrificing respect for yourself for respect of another. I don’t work without dinner, I do not ask twice to use a restroom, I do not work a day scheduled for me mid-week, I do not argue with you about me calling out sick, and will walk away if I am disrespected.

I see a lot of young workers being treated as kids opposed to young adults and I get angry every time I see someone too shy to “talk back”. I am sick of people with authority thinking they are not required to respect people with less authority as equals and seeing these individuals accept that kind of disrespect.

Why do we as a society let authority be defined alongside superiority? Why are individuals with authority allowed to abuse power? Why are some individuals still quiet? I know respect is not defined as it once was but shouldn’t it be more prominent as we truly embrace that statement” all men are created equal”? Is this really still an issue or have I just always worked with ignorant, disrespectful individuals?