about Respect Rx

We coach teen girls and guys, adults and advocates to boost self-respect, relationship respect and respect for all.

Join the Newsletter



latest posts get it deal with it reading list

<< Previous: Boys Dis Dissing Girls | Next:The Price of Privilege >>

respectrx
Journaling, Respect Makeover, Self-Respect + Self-Esteem

How Do You Define Respect?

RESPECT has tons of journaling activities to help you find out what respect really means to you. Here Real Girl Serar, 17, gives us a sneak a peek into her journal as she picks her brain about who she is, what she wants, and how to respect herself like nobody's business:

1. What does respect mean to you?

Respect to me is just giving and getting what you deserve. It’s about appreciating other people and loving the person you are. Respect shows when you are confident in yourself and secure in everything that you do. Respect is the basis of any relationship, whether with family or friends, or even your boyfriend. Respecting the people in your life is one of the best things you could do...you’ll find that your relationships are based off of love and honesty rather than superficial fixations.

2. How are you getting and giving respect?

I definitely have a great deal of respect for the people in my life. Without respect, life at home would be complete and utter chaos. Not only am I learning how to respect others from my parents, they’re also learning about respecting me ! It takes a while to sort out a rocky relationship with your folks, but I know that my parents are doing everything they can to hear me out and appreciate my opinions and what I have to say. That means the world to me.

3. Name the people in your life you most respect. Why do you admire them?

Definitely my parents. They’ve both been through so much as kids at a young age. They’re just incredible. They have so much respect for others and they have the kindest hearts--it really shows.

4. Are all of Your Rights being honored by you and those around you? If so, how? If not, why?

Not necessarily. I wouldn’t be able to pinpoint every time this happens, but there always going to be people who could care less about respecting you. Sometimes they are trying to take advantage of you, other times they’re just being ruthless. But whatever the case, you just have to make sure that you know your boundaries and are willing to speak up if your gut tells you to do so.

5. Think about some disrespectful situations you’ve dealt with recently. How did you handle things? What could you have done differently? What might happen next time?

It was with a guy. Sometimes you think you know someone and just as you’re getting to know them (or not) the nasty side creeps up on you. He had absolutely no respect for me at all. How can you really tell from the beginning that this guy is a player if you’re caught up in his game? Next time, I’m not going to stick up for people I don’t know, and I’m also going to listen to my gut and go with what it says. I deserve more than that. And there’s no way I’m letting anyone push my boundaries again.

MORE INFO
Go to RESPECT Chapter 1: Page 17 to find this activity.


Questions adapted from Respect: A Girl’s Guide to Getting Respect and Dealing When Your Line Is Crossed by Courtney Macavinta and Andrea Vander Pluym © 2005. Used with permission of Free Spirit Publishing Inc., Minneapolis, MN; 1-866-703-7322; www.freespirit.com. All rights reserved. © Free Spirit Publishing Inc. 2005

 

email this entry to a friend

Email this entry to:


Your email:


A friendly message (optional):


 

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)


Remember me?


 

<< Previous: Boys Dis Dissing Girls | Next:The Price of Privilege >>