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Like an endangered species, respect seems to be rarely seen and stands out when it is shown.

For example, many people show little regard for one another, their parents, and the elderly, as well as for police, employers, and teachers. Meanwhile, on social media, rude remarks abound! According to an article in Harvard Business Review, disrespectful behavior is “indeed on the rise.” It adds that people are “reporting more of it​—and have been for a while now.”

WHY RESPECT FOR OTHERS MATTERS

• A Bible proverb says: “A mild answer turns away rage, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) Disrespectful speech and actions only add fuel to the fire, often with disastrous results.

• Jesus stated: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34) Disrespectful speech can reveal a deeper problem​—how we truly feel about people whose race, tribe, nationality, or social background is different from our own.

  In a recent survey of more than 32,000 respondents in 28 countries, 65 percent said that the lack of civility and mutual respect today is the worst they have ever seen.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Whether at school or at work, respect all people​—even if you don’t share their views. Identify things that you can agree on. That will help you to avoid becoming critical or judgmental.

Treat others the way you want to be treated. If you are considerate and fair with others, they will be more likely to return the favor.

Be forgiving. Give others the benefit of the doubt by overlooking unkind words or actions.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

In the communities in which they live and work, Jehovah’s Witnesses promote respect for others.

We offer free Bible instruction to all people, but we do not force our beliefs or opinions on others. Rather, we try to apply the Bible’s counsel by sharing our message “with a mild temper and deep respect.”​—1 Peter 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:24.

We reject discrimination and welcome to our congregation meetings people from all backgrounds who want to learn what the Bible teaches. We strive to be tolerant and to “show proper respect to everyone.”​—1 Peter 2:17, New International Version.

We respect the authority of the government under which we live. (Romans 13:1) We obey the law and pay taxes. And although we remain politically neutral, we respect the rights of others to make their own decisions on political matters.

WHY RESPECT FOR LIFE MATTERS

• Cigarette smoking not only causes cancer but also interferes with the body’s ability to fight it. All told, about 90 percent of lung-cancer deaths can be attributed to smoking or to exposure to secondhand smoke.

• Mass shootings cause emotional trauma for many each year. A Stanford University report states: “Research indicates that even those who escape [school shootings] without any visible physical harm carry scars that could impair their lives for many years to come.”

• People driving when under the influence of alcohol or drugs make roads and even pedestrian walkways unsafe. When people show a callous disregard for life, community members often become innocent victims.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Protect your health. It’s never too late to give up harmful practices such as smoking, vaping, overdrinking, or taking recreational drugs. Such practices harm your life and show disrespect for the life of those around you, including family members.

Be safety conscious. To prevent accidents, keep your home in good repair. Drive safely, and keep your vehicle in safe condition. Do not let others pressure you into activities that can cause serious injury or death.

Be kind to others. Respect for life includes how we view people from all racial, national, and social backgrounds. After all, prejudice and hatred are root causes of much of the world’s violence and warfare.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Jehovah’s Witnesses promote a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Our Bible educational program has helped people to overcome addictions and destructive habits.

We adhere to strict safety standards in our construction projects. Volunteers who help build our meeting places and other facilities that are used to further our Bible educational work are trained to avoid injury. Our buildings are inspected on a regular basis so that they conform to local safety laws.

We provide humanitarian assistance. During a recent 12-month period, we responded to some 200 life-threatening disasters worldwide and spent nearly 12 million dollars of donated funds to provide relief for victims.

When Ebola outbreaks began to devastate the population of West Africa (2014) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (2018), we educated people on how to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. We sent representatives to speak to groups on the subject “Obedience Saves Lives.” We provided handwashing stations at the entrance of each of our places of worship and stressed the importance of handwashing and other practical safeguards.

In Sierra Leone, a radio announcement commended Jehovah’s Witnesses for helping Witnesses and non-Witnesses in the community to avoid the Ebola virus.

WHY RESPECT FOR FAMILY MATTERS

• The book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work says that when spouses have mutual respect, they express fondness for each other “not just in the big ways but in little ways day in and day out.”

• Research shows that children who learn to respect others have greater self-esteem, enjoy a better relationship with their parents, and suffer fewer psychological problems.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Create a plan, together with your family. First, fix in mind what you mean by “respect.” Second, write down specific behaviors that are expected from everyone in the family as well as behaviors that should be avoided. Third, discuss the plan as a family so that your children​—and you—​have a common foundation on which to build.

Set the example. Do you criticize your family members for their faults, mock them for their opinions, or ignore or interrupt them when they are talking to you?

Tip: Try to view respect as something that you owe your spouse and children, not something that they need to earn.

Disagree without being disagreeable. When expressing yourself, avoid sweeping assertions, such as “you always” or “you never.” Such harsh criticisms attack the character of your family member and can turn a minor disagreement into a major conflict.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Jehovah’s Witnesses encourage family members to treat one another with respect, often making it a theme of the articles, books, brochures, and videos that we publish, which are made available free of charge.

FOR MARRIED COUPLES: The article series Help for the Family can help husbands and wives to . . .

• be good listeners

• end the silent treatment

• stop arguing

(Search “Help for the Family” on jw.org)

FOR PARENTS: The article series Help for the Family can help parents train their children to . . .

• be obedient

• assist with chores around the house

• say “please” and “thank you”

(Search “Raising Children” and “Raising Teenagers” on jw.org)

See also the appendix, “Questions Parents Ask,” in the book Questions Young People Ask​—Answers That Work, Volume 1. (Search “Questions Parents Ask” on jw.org)

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: The Teens and Young Adults section of jw.org has articles, videos, and worksheets that can help young ones to . . .

• get along with parents and siblings

• talk respectfully to parents about rules

• gain their parents’ trust

(Search “Teens and Young Adults” on jw.org)

Use of the website jw.org is free of charge. No fee, subscription, or membership is required, and no personal information will be requested.

WHY RESPECT FOR SELF MATTERS

• Research shows that those who do not think well of themselves are prone to anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. And they are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs.

• People who respect themselves avoid comparing themselves with others, which makes it easier for them to get along with people around them and to form strong friendships. On the other hand, those with little self-respect tend to be critical, which can damage relationships.

• Even when they face challenges, people with self-respect have resilience; they do not let setbacks keep them from reaching their goal. In contrast, those with little self-respect often view small failures as huge obstacles. That can cause them to give up easily.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Choose upbuilding friends. Associate with people who are respectful, who are truly interested in your welfare, and who will build you up.

Help others. When you are kind and do things for others​—including those who cannot return the favor—​you will find genuine happiness that comes from giving. That will be true even if you do not seem to receive credit for your good works.

Help your children cultivate self-respect. One way to do that is to allow them to solve their own problems, to the extent that they are able. That helps children learn how to cope with adversity and work through it. This lesson builds self-respect, and it will serve them well in adulthood.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

The meetings and Bible study program of Jehovah’s Witnesses help people improve their life and thereby their self-respect.

OUR WEEKLY MEETINGS

At our weekly meetings, we enjoy listening to Bible-based talks that often include suggestions on how to build self-respect. Our meetings are free and open to the public. For example, at our meetings you will learn . . .

• why you matter to God

• how to find real purpose in life

• how to build strong and lasting friendships

You will also meet true friends who “have mutual concern for one another.”​—1 Corinthians 12:25, 26.

To learn more about our meetings, search on jw.org for the short video What Happens at a Kingdom Hall?

OUR BIBLE COURSE

We offer a free interactive Bible course using the book Enjoy Life Forever! This study book features key scriptures, clear reasoning, effective questions, stirring videos, and beautiful artwork. Our Bible course helps people find dignity and improve their life.

To see how studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses can benefit you, search on jw.org for the short video Why Study the Bible?

In this issue of Awake!

• Why respect is important

• How you can show respect

• What Jehovah’s Witnesses are doing to help your community