Forms of respect within the family

What does it take for us to be able to talk to each other? If there is mutual respect between us, is that enough? Does respect equate simply to good manners, like saying “please” and “thank you,” or thanking someone for a gift? Is it expected from everyone at any age? There’s no universal answer, but it’s certain that respect is an important part of family communication. However, we feel that it’s too general a formulation and doesn’t precisely express what is actually needed. If we delve a bit deeper into the topic, we’ll see additional layers: for example, one layer of respect is acceptance. Someone who possesses this will do everything in their power to handle their conflicts effectively and accept the feelings of others and their own, similar to mistakes or differing opinions. Another layer is open-mindedness, when we kindly approach those around us and seek to understand the person before rushing to judgment. Another manifestation of respect is unconditional attention, when we not only listen to the other person but also are curious about their opinion, valuing their standpoint alongside our own.

These layers are all intertwined with the quality of family relationships and manifest in everyday communication and as parts of personality in complex ways, they can be developed over time. In addition to these, there are three areas that also influence the quality of communication and because they are immediately apparent in behavior, they can be developed in a practical and easily observable manner. We believe that we should start from where we understand and where we can create a platform for change that is understandable and acceptable to every family member. These are the areas that are easy to notice, such as how we behave in a conversation, what words and tone we use.