Self-Respect teen discussion for Respect Day [Notes]

This forum post is based on the teen member discussion that was held on September 18th, 2015 hosted by @Raylen on the topic: Self-Respect.

These notes were made using a transcript as of the whole discussion, as I couldn't be present for the discussion. I have reviewed the entire transcript, though, and have made an outline on what was discussed to share with everyone!

To start of the discussion, how would you define respect?

Any form of acceptance towards someone

Respect, is showing empathy and compassion towards others

They may not have the same beliefs as you but you can RESPECT them and not say they're wrong just have a healthy debate. idk if that makes sense.

The kindness and truth of seeing someone, admiring them on truthful talents.

And adding on to that, what does self respect mean?

Doing the same but for yourself

Seeing yourself truly, being able to see the good and bad and accepting ut.

It means to accept that you are you and nobody can take "you" away from you. you need to treat yourself as you would treat others, not just the other way around.

How can you show respect to others - online and otherwise?

Summary: Being patient, listening and not judging them. Not putting them down, not judging what they posy. Accepting others opinions. Being kind, tolerant. Being supportive. Being polite and understanding. Not judging.

How do you show respect to yourself?

Being gentle with yourself and respect that you are trying your best. Not being too hard. By putting your own happiness first, and being confident.

I surround myself with family and friends who love me

Encourage yourself, and remember that failing isn't the worst thing that can happen

Staying positive. Being kind to myself, doing kind things for myself like idk giving myself a treat or listing to music I like. Not saying bad things about myself.telling myself that I am worth it even when I feel bad

Be HONEST. Recognize that everyone has flaws and that's ok.

Realize your good points, not just the bad ones

What is the difference between self respect and self esteem?

Self esteem is what you think of yourself. Self respect is how you treat yourself based on what you think.

Self respect is knowing your worth and hence your boundaries, and self esteem is how you feel about yourself. Your self esteem dictates how much self respect you have for yourself

Self respect is respecting yourself and making sure your emotional well-being is in check, and self esteem is confidence, and believing that you're amazing and worth it.

I guess patting yourself on the back when you don't need a pat is self respect, but patting yourself on the back after you feel like you've done sth to deserve that pat is self esteem

Is there a difference between showing respect to yourself, and showing it to others?

Yes, there clearly is. We might be very nice towards others but think not so highly of ourselves and not respect us.

Maybe it's cause we know how it feels to not feel nice and respect ourselves that we treat others highly.

Self-respect is equally important to how you respect others I think

Are there any significant differences between people who respect themselves as opposed to people who dont?

I think that people who respect themselves are much happier that those who don't

Yes. It is hard to have good self esteem without respect, and lack of self esteem always shows.

So do you think that self respect and self esteem are related?

Yes! You have to respect yourself to have good self esteem. To be happy you must feel happy. To respect oneself you need to respect yourself

How do your ideas about self-respect reflect your personality?

With good self respect, you can be less timid and insecure.

If you don't respect yourself like I don't and I'm really insecure and people get pisssed at me because of it

Eleanor Roosevelt said, No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. What might make a person find it hard having self-respect?

If a person doesnt see the value in them self they cant really respect them self

Personally, I think that many people lack self respect because maybe they were never listened to, so they don't think that they are valuable or important.

I've been bullied into not being able to see good things also I've been pressured to fit under certain schoolwork standards (I'm gifted and in honors and AP and crap) so they expect me to do amazing and it makes me feel terrible when I don't

Having said that, can you respect yourself if you dont like yourself? Why, or why not?

You can totally respect yourself if you don't like yourself! That's the first step to liking yourself. You can recognize that your flaws are okay, and make sure you're happy.

I think that depends on the person, but in my personal experience, I don't like myself very much. I do have self respect, though not very much.

Have you seen someone struggle with self respect? How did you try to help them?

Yes many times, i just did my best to make them feel accepted. I showered them with compliments and tried to make them feel like they were important!

I definitely have. Especially my best friend. She doubts herself a lot and doesn't put her personal happiness first, but I just try to make her feel important, and help her take care of her emotions.

Yes. Whenever they said something bad about them, I yelled a good thing about them at them.

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Participant list: @YourAmericanPepehh @sunnyTortoise6711 @SimonTheGr8 @imaginativeBlueberry8181 @theyellowBird @queenyola @FuzzyCats @Sunrise422 @adventurousPenny8514 @sympatheticBanana115 @Openarms5 @Charlottegirly @SpinningJenny

Awesome discussion! Thank you a lot to everybody who joined and participated!

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