Respectful Relationships
What is respect?
Respect is a word that often gets used but is quite difficult to actually define. It is a word that can be used in several different ways. Respect is something that we give to others and to ourselves. For example, it can mean being treated with consideration and esteem, and treating other people in a similar way. To show respect also means to have regard for other peoples' feelings and to treat them with dignity.
Parents and carers play an important role in assisting children and young people to develop the values and skills needed to express respect to others and themselves in their daily lives. The purpose of this hot topic is to provide information and strategies to parents and carers to help children and young people develop respectful relationships with others.
How to recognise a respectful relationship
Respect is an important part of healthy relationships, and everyone has the right to be respected. A respectful relationship is characterised by the following:
- people make their own choices and form their own views consistent with their age and developmental level
- feelings of self worth are fostered
- people's points of views and beliefs are valued
- the rights of a person to be safe, valued and cared for are understood
- people are accepted
- people can listen and be heard
- 'No' is accepted for an answer
- a person can make mistakes and still be accepted and respected
- it is never controlling, and encourages personal growth and fulfilment
- it nurtures a culture of trust, honesty and happiness
As parents and carers there may be times when you find it difficult to show respect to young people - especially when their behaviour is really challenging. Remember, respect is an important ingredient in being a positive influence on the life of a young person.
What happens in the absence of respect in a relationship?
Respect is a key step in building strong relationships. When it is absent or lacking, conflict or relationship breakdown often occurs. Absence or lack of respect can lead to problems at an individual, family and/or community level.
The role of parents and carers
Parenting experts believe that young people look to the adults around them for guidance and role modelling[1]. For example, if an adult treats a young person with consideration, they will learn from this positive experience and will be able to build respectful relationships in the future.
Young people with parents and carers who respect each other are also more likely to form happy and healthy relationships with others and themselves. Parents and carers can actively promote respectful and caring relationships by modelling behaviours in their day-to-day living where each party feels safe, happy, valued and cared for.
Helping children and young people build respectful relationships
It is important to note that adolescence is a crucial period for young people to learn how to develop and maintain respectful relationships with others[2]. Building such relationships requires a range of capacities and skills. If adults develop these capacities within themselves and use them in their relationships they can become positive role models for children and young people and teach them about healthy relationships.
Following are some examples of skills and approaches that can help create respect in relationships. Please note, there may be some variation in what constitutes respectful behaviours from culture to culture. However, in any cultural context, respect is about behaviours that convey valuing and caring about another person.
- Understanding and empathy
This is the ability to feel for others by trying to put ourselves in their shoes. As parents, empathy can be modelled by striving to understand a child's point of view - Empathic listening
This is the ability to listen and convey understanding. Parents can practice this with their children by hearing and considering their ideas or problems. They can also show interest in what their children have to say and avoid rushing in with ideas or solutions - Anger management
Managing anger is about avoiding hurtful reactions. Some anger management skills include thinking first before speaking and using strategies to stay calm. You can model this behaviour to children by managing your own anger and assisting them with skills such as counting up to ten or taking deep breaths to help them calm down. Taking responsibility for managing your own anger helps to avoid impulsive acts that are potentially destructive to yourself or others - Conflict resolution
Disagreements are normal in any relationship and there are ways to respond to, minimise and resolve conflict. It is helpful to try to understand and consider the other person's point of view. Winning an argument is not good if it makes the other person feel hurt or embarrassed. A win-win situation, where give and take on both sides is involved, is always preferred. Parents can model ways to have a difference of opinion with someone that is respectful, and how to accept 'NO' for an answer - Problem solving and decision-making skills
It is easy to fall into the trap of telling young people what you think they should do. Parents can help a young person to develop their own capacities and solve their own problems by holding back on these thoughts for a time, allowing the young person to generate their own solutions. This also helps show that you value and have confidence in their abilities
When helping your child with a problem, it can help to define the issue or concern, understand its impact and generate various options before making choices. Parents can help young people learn these skills by:- assisting them to name the problem
- encouraging them to express any feelings around the problem and
- inviting them to consider available options and their possible impact
- Honesty
Honesty is encouraged in relationships where there is trust and acceptance. You can encourage honesty in your children by being honest with yourself and true to your own feelings. When young people are able to openly express themselves to others and feel accepted, they can learn honesty - Assertiveness
Assertiveness is about acknowledging another person's request or need and being able to 'own' and speak up about your needs in a clear way. Being assertive also allows people to maintain healthy boundaries
Learning to be assertive can be a great way to encourage your children to develop this skill in their own life. If you can effectively stand up for yourself and say 'no' without being aggressive, you will also show your child how to stick up for themselves while still respecting others.
Assertiveness skills can assist young people to deal with a range of life experiences where they may feel pressured to do things they don't want to do or put out of their comfort zone. Assertiveness skills can be helpful for many people who may be either too aggressive or too passive when feeling threatened
Who can I contact for more information?
You may wish to contact your local parenting help service/s for further information.
References
- Australian Childhood Foundation (2006) Every child needs a hero: A report tracking Australian children's concerns and attitudes about childhood. Melbourne.
- Homel, R. et al. 1999, Pathways to Prevention: Developmental and Early Intervention Approaches to Crime in Australia, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department, Canberra.
Other References
Ellis, J. (2008). Primary Prevention of Domestic Abuse through Education.
Humphreys, C. Houghton, and J. Ellis (eds). Literature Review: Better Outcomes for Children and Young People affected by Domestic Abuse - Directions for Good Practice. Edinburgh: Scottish Government, p. 125.
National Crime Prevention. (2001). Young People & Domestic Violence: National Research on Young People's Attitudes and Experiences of Domestic Violence. Canberra: Crime Prevention Branch, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department.
Bagnoli, C., 2007, "Respect and Membership in the Moral Community," Ethical Theory and Moral Practice 10: 113-128.
Balint, P., 2006, "Respect Relations in Diverse Societies," Res Publica 12: 35-57.
UNICEF. (2006). Behind Closed Doors: The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children. Geneva: United Nations Children's Fund.
Keel, M. (2005) Prevention of Sexual Assault: Working with Adolescents within the Education System. ACSSA Aware, No. 8: 16-25.
See for example Urbis Keys Young. (2004). National Framework for Sexual Assault Prevention, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra; National Crime Prevention. (1999).
Pathways to Prevention: Developmental and Early Intervention Approaches to Crime in Australia. Canberra: National Crime Prevention, Attorney General's Department; Anderson, V. N., D. Simpson-Taylor and D. J. Hermann. (2004).
Gender, Age, and Rape-Supportive Rules. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 50(1-2): 77-90
National Youth Affairs Research Scheme. (1995). Young People's Perceptions of and Attitudes to Sexual Violence. Hobart: National Clearinghouse for Youth Studies.
Giordano, S., 2005, "Respect for Equality and the Treatment of the Elderly," Cambridge Quarterly of Heathcare Ethics 14: 83-92.
Published: 18 May 2010