When is there an instance when the phrase “respect your elders” is used as a pass for an older person to behave badly?

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PTSDintheAsylum

Note: No advice is needed. Just want to get this off my chest.

I’ve seen instances of people complaining that younger generations these days are so disrespectful to their elders and that the older folks get all the “unnecessary” disrespect. The phrase “respect your elders” as it seems to be backed up with the belief that younger generations are overwhelmingly entitled and disrespectful towards traditions. While it is true that we should respect our elders, it should be questioned on how it is used, because in some cases, the phrase would be used by an older person to get what they want and act like the rules don’t apply to them. In fact, I’ve heard of older people using that so they can treat younger people badly and act rude toward them.

I don’t want to start an endless debate on this case scenario, as I am also aware of younger folks that are mean to their elders, I just want to point out the sort of double standard as some people apply it to appease their superiority complex. And for those who say “they’re just aging and losing their sense of kindness”, I don’t buy that because there are plenty of elders I’ve met that are very kind, and there are also instances of elders who have always been rude ever since they were young. In other words, it’s less of their age and more of their behavior. That is all.
 
I have learned that if I want to earn someones respect, I must first give them mine. It doesn't matter how old they are. You are right that some people are just rude and use respect as a one way street. It needs to go both ways. We are to love each other as we love ourselves. This is how we reap what we sow.
 
I've worked in retirement villages, and some of them are very rude, and behaved so badly, complaining all the time, that the younger staff who were doing everything to look after them had to leave cos it was so stressful dealing with them every day. When they have happy hour, they get drunk and some fall down and the younger ones have to pick them up and put them to bed.

It wouldn't be their own children/grandchildren, the reason why they are in retirement villages is mostly because their children don't want the added burden of to looking after them and/or the elders don't want their children 'cramping their style'. Just my observations. I worked in around 5 different retirement villages. Many elders were lovely though. Its just the rude and grumpy ones stood out. They had enough people their own age around them to socialise though so and most chose to be there, so maybe its ? Of course widows would have been sad when their spouses died but the whole reason to be in a village is so they can be close to others of similar age (and NO children/grandchildren around living with them).
 
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