Acts of respect in the family

Acts of respect in the family

Respect is showing polite behaviour towards others. Some of the acts that show that one respects other people include talking politely, greeting others with kindness, avoiding murmuring, tendering or apologising and expressing appreciation for a service or help given. Respect begins with self-discipline which is seen in things like proper dressing, being obedient to principles and rules and being ready to forgive others. All people, regardless of their position and status in the society, must be respected. They should not be discriminated against because of their status. If you respect other people, they will also respect you.

Protecting family members from risky groups

In any society there are people with inappropriate behaviour who can affect the development of morality in a given family. Such people can be bad examples to others and hence cause sorrow and sometimes affect the health of others. People with risky behaviour include drug dealers, rapists and corrupt people.

Risky groups also include groups of people who abuse children through sex and child labour as well as those who mistreat the elderly and people with special needs. People belonging to these groups can be our neighbours or even members of our families. Therefore, our collective responsibility is to make sure that we protect ourselves, our children and the elderly from them.

Child protection

Children's rights are stipulated in Child Law No. 13 of 2009 and in its amendment of 2014. The law also includes the following responsibilities of a child:

1. Working for the cohesion of the family;
2. Respecting his or her parents, guardians and elders all the time and assisting them if they need help;
3. Serving his community and nation by using his physical and intellectual abilities in accordance with his or her age and ability;
4. Preserving and strengthening social and national cohesion; and
5. Preserving and strengthening the positive cultural values of his or her community and of the nation at large in relation to other members of the community or the nation.

Therefore, a child's other responsibilities include the following:

1. Personal protection: No child should imitate inappropriate behaviour which is against the morals of the society even if the people we trust have such behaviour;
2. Take precautions: Every child should take precautions, especially when he or she is away from his or her family. One has to interact with people who are morally good and should offer help in times of need;
3. Report crimes: Every child must report to relevant authorities anything that happens to him or her. Children have to report events such as being beaten, being burnt with hot water or fire, being cut by sharp tools as well as any kind of sexual harassment.