Question: who said “Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households”? It’s not a common quote, but it really is one worth noting due to who said it and when. Churchill, maybe? No, think even further back in history than that. Abraham Lincoln, perhaps? The answer is coming up shortly. First, the point is that throughout humankind’s speckled relationship with authority, the youth have always revolted in ways that caused dismay to their elders. And, because we’ve come this far as a species, one could argue that an irresponsible and disrespectful youth is part and parcel of human development. But that doesn’t stop youthful disrespect for authority being something that even Shakespeare felt moved to write about: “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!” (from King Lear). But no, Billiam Shakesplay is not the answer to the question posed at the start of this piece. The answer is Socrates (469 – 399 BC). That’s a long time ago. Kids have been anti-authority since forever, it would seem. Is there anything we can do? 

Take the bull by the horns

Figuratively, that is, not even close to literally (where would you find a bull, for a start), but no, we don’t mean actually engage in any kind of physical confrontation that could end in personal injury (contact a NJ injury lawyer for personal injury information). The ways in which rules are laid out and followed at home will reverberate throughout the child’s interactions with authority outside of the home. This means you will need to be consistent with expectations, judgments, and punishments. Consistency takes time. The child won’t learn respect in one missed dessert or one early bedtime. As your young one learns to accept consequences, a wedge will be driven between you initially. But if you’ve ever seen almost any family movie ever, the bond will become greater as respect for the rules develops. 

Don’t disrespect the law in front of children

Children’s brains are sponges with no filter for what should be absorbed and what should be disregarded. Instead, every single new concept gets the green light and enters their mind in a kind of “find a seat guys, other bad ideas will be along in a moment to keep you company” sort of a way. That’s why, if you show disrespect for the police or politicians in front of a child, you can expect the child to echo and amplify your disdain for the law.

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