Sometimes folks laugh at old folks because they either say or do things that are comical, whether they are intended or not.
It is "ok" to laugh with an older person when he/she sees the humor in himself. But it is not acceptable to disrespect anyone, regardless of age or status, but especially the older person or the parent.
Sometimes folks laugh at old folks (often behind their backs, thinking they are too stupid to realize it) because they are ridiculing what the older person is saying or doing. Of course, sometimes they don't realize the disrespect, because they don't hear or see the mocking, or because it is is an inside joke among the young. Sometimes (often) they do realize what is going on, but they are either too tired of fighting such stupid battles, or because they realize that the younger person is beyond hope and help, or because they could care less what inconsiderate people think, or the oldster is thinking, "one day you won't have me around to mock any more."
The entertainment industry has done the lion's share to instill (or at least encourage) disrespect and "generation gap." Such crude and callous humor has translated into the wholesale discarding and abusing of older people, and insulting that has moved from "behind the back" mockery to, "in your face" rebuking and ridicule.
Yes, there has always been a level of such antisocial behavior, but it is so common today that it seems normal to people. Don't fall into the trap of following the crude crowd. Choose the higher road of respect. If nothing else, remember what Jesus said about doing unto others...
It is "ok" to laugh with an older person when he/she sees the humor in himself. But it is not acceptable to disrespect anyone, regardless of age or status, but especially the older person or the parent.
Sometimes folks laugh at old folks (often behind their backs, thinking they are too stupid to realize it) because they are ridiculing what the older person is saying or doing. Of course, sometimes they don't realize the disrespect, because they don't hear or see the mocking, or because it is is an inside joke among the young. Sometimes (often) they do realize what is going on, but they are either too tired of fighting such stupid battles, or because they realize that the younger person is beyond hope and help, or because they could care less what inconsiderate people think, or the oldster is thinking, "one day you won't have me around to mock any more."
The entertainment industry has done the lion's share to instill (or at least encourage) disrespect and "generation gap." Such crude and callous humor has translated into the wholesale discarding and abusing of older people, and insulting that has moved from "behind the back" mockery to, "in your face" rebuking and ridicule.
Yes, there has always been a level of such antisocial behavior, but it is so common today that it seems normal to people. Don't fall into the trap of following the crude crowd. Choose the higher road of respect. If nothing else, remember what Jesus said about doing unto others...
