Disrespect

I feel that because of the fact I am 16 years old, not a lot of people take me serious. Yes, I look older, & when people first meet me, they're very kind & respectful, but as soon as they learn my age, their attitudes towards me become lousy.

Actually, I am quite mature for my age & being disrespected or not appreciated simply because of this number that represents when I was brought to earth is not very fair.

Maybe you're thinking, "but thats life".

It shouldn't be.

It's not my fault many people in my generation are immature & ignorant. I want to be respected for who I am and how I personally handle things. I'm not exacty a typical 16 year old.

Anyone else have this problem?

yes.i have this problem. im 14 and im too mature for my age. people always treat me differently after they find out my age.bugs the shit outta me.

Respect is earned and not just given ladies...

With time, age and maturity you will learn the truth in this.

I am generally respected on things that I have to say because I respect the people I am talking to, whatever their age.

I believe that if you want respect then you have to earn it but that isn't to say that you can't lose it.

Gari - who does know all?

Grown ups dont think they know all they think they know more than then younger generation through time and life experiences and in most cases they are right. What they do forget however is what is was like to be the younger generation and feel voiceless...

Really? I think the younger generation knows everything. Have you ever talked to a kid? Do you remember being a kid? You think you've figured the whole world out, who you're going to be, what you're going to do, how it's going to happen..

I miss that..

I envy that. It makes me insecure sometimes. Disarming naivety, I hear older people say about me.

Respect is a two way street. If you want respect, you show respect. No matter what age you are.

This isn't really about age but, I think it still relates to this topic of judging people when you don't actually know them and just stereotyping them.

Last year, my friend's boyfriend (who, by the way, I haven't spoken to much in my whole life, though we've been in the same schools since elementary) comes up to me and tells me someone had upset my friend and he wanted me to SPREAD A RUMOR about the person who had upset her. So I told him, "Why are you telling me this? I don't start rumors about people, it's a terrible feeling knowing everyone is whispering about you." and he gives me this look, and says "You spread rumors all the time, why won't you spread this one??"

I almost had a fit. Seriously, I wanted to hit him or cry or something. I don't know why he would think that about me. He seems to think I'm a shallow, 'Regina George' type of person. It really, really hurt me when he said that because, I'm not like that. I don't make up things about people to make them look bad. I've had it done to me, and I will NOT do it to anyone else.

So, I can relate to how people seem to judge you by the way you look or dress. It's not fair and it shouldn't be that way. But, because the world can be a cruel place sometimes, that's exactly the way it is.

Precious Illusions...

It wasn't that long ago I was a kid, an in todays society I still am considered one though legally an adult in every country in this world...and I certainly dont forget what it was like to be a kid as I now have two myself.
Fact is the younger generation has changed in time, they do like to think they know everything, I know I did but now a mere few years later and after the birth of my own child I realise I most certainly did not and I continue to learn and grow as a person and a mother everyday.

Like yourself I do miss certain aspects of the innocence and naivety of being a child, not a teen but a child I see it in my own boys...they dont have a care or worry in the world.

I agree with you that respect is a two way street - but thats in a perfect world, unfortunately none of live in such a world and people are so quick to make judgements based on first impressions and not on knowledge or understanding.