How many of you still subscribe to ..

[Muzna]

Re: How many of you still subscribe to ..

@ALIREZA1

So I guess your answer is that you subscribe to tribal and feudal values and people should be respected for their position. The basic difference in the eastern and western premise of raising children is that eastern

There is little difference between eastern and western values when it comes to this subject. You will find people who adhere to both viewpoints in both regions.

@ALIREZA1

people think that the child owes the parent unconditional respect and obedience because they resulted in his birth and they provided for him.

and people should think this way…
having and raising a child to the age where they become capable of looking after themselves requires compassion and effort.
once a child is old enough to practice and show respect, he/she should do so simply for the fact that he/she was looked after when he/she could not do it for him/herself.

@ALIREZA1

the opportunity to raise a child and watch him grow up is a privilege and reward in itself and the child does not owe his life to the parent.

granted the child does not owe his/her life to the parent, the parent also does not owe their feelings of gratitude for this “privilege” to the child; those feelings are reserved for Allah, the Creator that provided this privilege. the parent also does not forfeit the right to respect from the child simply because Allah deemed them worthy of the privilege.

if the parent is asking for respect for their role in bringing this child to a point where they are capable to look after themselves then they are owed respect for that.

@ALIREZA1

Respect comes naturally from your actions and if you are worthy of respect you won’t need to demand it.

Yes…this is a lovely sentiment. Unfortunately it doesn’t always hold true.
There are enough examples in our everyday lives where we do not get the respect we deserve because someone’s opinion of how we should behave differs from that which we hold virtuous. Or someone decides for whatever unrelated reason that they will withhold that respect.
So yes…lofty, utopian concept but not always true.

@ALIREZA1

If you are worthy of respect by virtue of being a parent alone then where is the incentive for good actions. A jerk and a good father would both get parental respect.

As I explained earlier, if you have done what you are duty-bound to do (i.e. provide for a child’s needs until they are able to care for themselves) then you deserve some level of respect for that effort. Granted it may not be the same respect for a “jerk” than for a “good” father, but respect nonetheless.