Why Respect is Important

WHY RESPECT IS IMPORTANT?

Receiving respect from others is important because it helps us to feel safe and to express ourselves. Being respected by important people in our lives growing up teaches us how to be respectful toward others.

Respect means that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they’re different from you or you don’t agree with them. Respect in your relationships builds feelings of trust, safety, and wellbeing. Respect doesn’t have to come naturally – it is something you learn.

What does respect look like?

Think about all the different situations in life where you have to get along with others – how do you know if there’s respect in your relationship?

• You feel safe being around each other
• You know it’s ok for both of you to express who you are
• When you disagree you listen to each other and be patient
• You don’t yell or talk over the top of each other
• Neither of you are controlling the other person’s choices
• You both talk openly about your needs and wants
• You both allow the other person space if they need it
• You can both admit when you’ve made a mistake

Sometimes we find ourselves not feeling respected by other people, including our family or friends. While it’s not always possible to change somebody and make them respect you, there are some things you can try:

• Show people what respect looks like by being respectful yourself
• Spend time with people who are respectful and make you feel safe
• Tell the person what they are doing isn’t ok and be specific
• Talk to somebody you trust 
• Try to understand their point of view
• Give that person a chance to change their behaviour toward you
• It’s ok to end friendships with people if they can’t be respectful and you don’t feel safe around them

Kiera and Wayne enjoy a game of chess on one of the new tables installed in our Art area – Oh what fun 😊