To start off, let me explain how I learned respect. The hard way. The soap-in-my-mouth when I cussed and the wooden spoon when I misbehaved hard way. Although the topic of punishing kids physically became taboo as of late, that's a story for another time, but punishment taught me respect. Respect for others, respect for myself, and respect for the world around me. For some reason, the individuals growing up in my generation (note: I speak solely about my generation not the others) lack the sort of respect needed to function in society. From an outsider's stand point (one of someone who learned respect early) it completely baffles me how someone might disregard respecting someone else. So let's delve into the certain aspects of daily life that lack respect:

1. Respect for other human beings, especially minorities.

This one really makes me heated. I do not understand how we all live on the same floating rock plummeting through space and STILL choose to disrespect someone because of their gender, skin color, religion, or nationality. Like, really? I'm here to remind you in case you forgot that WE WERE ALL BORN EQUALLY. I'm not preaching that you need to go out and befriend everyone because thats "respectful," but at least chill out and stop persecuting each other and respect their basic human dignity. C'mon people, grow up.

2. Respect for your significant other.

This topic might get tricky because your significant other abuses you in any way, shape, or form, don't stick around in the name of respect. Anyhow, I will assert that social media totally skewed the concept of dating in this generation. Between Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Yik Yak, and every other type of social media out there, respect does not come easy. With the simple click of a button anything potentially detrimental to your relationship can be deleted and erased forever, with no evidence left behind that you disrespected your partner. Respecting your partner also means refraining from liking that provocative selfie from a former flame, not responding or continuing advances of a flirt trying to weasel their way into your relationship, and for the love of all that is holy just stop doing things that you would be upset if your partner did it to you. In order to have a healthy and thriving relationship take into consideration that although the temptation may be doubled than it was in our parent's generation, you are still a person, not an animal (shout out to the people who use "well we're really just animals in the end" as an excuse for ridiculous behavior. You'll do sooo well in this technologically advanced world. Not). To respect your partner you must respect their dignity, self esteem, past, and the differences you will have with each other. If you don't think you can adequately respect your partner and their feelings THEN LEAVE. Simple. Really.

3. Respect with business

At a young age I've come to notice that my generation does not understand the importance of respect in business. Respect in business comes in many forms, including responding timely and even responding at all to a coworker or higher up looking to contact you. I am dumbfounded at the amount of people who choose to ignore texts/calls/e-mails, etc. Whoever thought these forms of communication made it easier to get in contact with others may have been wrong.

4. Self-Respect (Notice: IMPORTANT CONTENT BELOW)

Where, oh where, did our self respect go? Now, I claim to be extremely progressive towards how women should be able to conduct themselves in public but women as a whole are not stepping closer towards equality by getting belligerently drunk and generally making a fool of themselves. Just because men do and it's typically accepted, does not mean we need to lower our standards in a feeble attempt to be equal. And to the men, stop disrespecting yourselves by hooking up with everything that walks because "I'm horny," or "I just have to get it out of my system, I can't control myself." Respect yourself a little more than that, you're more complex than "just an animal."

5. Respect among friendships and families

Understandably friendships and families experience shortcomings and fall outs, but that does not give you an excuse to trash or defame a friend or family member for an issue that might've occurred between you. You chose each other for a friendship, and you were stuck together with family for a reason, so do unto others what you would want done to yourselves.

I could spend hours discussing the issues with respect in my generation and other generations, but it would take forever. Ultimately, everyone needs to respect each other more and understand that not everyone will agree with your particular views on life. Each and every person around you is infinitely different and unique in multiple ways and therefore deserve your respect if only because they are a fellow human being. And always keep in mind:

"Be Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."