EARN RESPECT

As a parent, I have the respect of my children, not because I am in
authority but because I earned it. Should I fail to continually earn
their respect, it is their human nature and right to rebel against my
false authority which has deviated from facts and thus rests on bad
assumptions and unearned trust.

Teens laugh at authority because authority has failed to earn their
respect. This can be remedied by beating them into submission,
substituting fear for respect or by respecting people enough to earn
their trust. Unfortunately, the former option is still in vogue.

Bill Ross,

Ottawa