We have all heard and said simple phrases like “thank you” or “please” hundreds of times in our lives. Parents ensure that their children say these phrases at appropriate times to instill the habit, making courtesy a a natural approach and response. While kind language shows ‘good manners’ in people, few actually question what the use of ‘good manners’ actually do. The truth is that these words are not ‘empty phrases’ we use in social interaction. The actual worth of speech and behavior that exhibit proper manners is much greater.
MANNERS TEACH RESPECT
At the root of courteous speech lives a sense of respect, comprehension of the ‘golden rule’. Making a habit of saying and doing polite things that show humility and gratitude naturally helps build respect for and from the people around you – and for yourself as well. Basic respect begins with acknowledging and accepting differences between people and knowing yourself as part of a community. A deeper understanding of respect is needed for maximum benefit, but the concept can be quite difficult to isolate and teach. Some lessons can be taught very well to small groups in the classroom or training facility, but genuine respect is something that each child ultimately learns through his or her experiences.
A well-mannered child, adolescent, or teen automatically implies a good upbringing – a person raised with the blessing of caring, respectable parents, perhaps a person who is trustworthy. But the benefits of good manners actually go far beyond that. Developing good manners in a child can go a long way toward ensuring a secure future for them. Good manners can make or break an opportunity, whether in their educational and career pursuits or important interpersonal relationships throughout their lives. Manners help formulate a positive outlook in children and adults that is often admired and reciprocated.
MANNERS AND SOCIETY
While manners are certainly important to a child, a well-mannered child can have a significant impact on the reputation of the parents and family as well. Whether we like it or not, building a good reputation among your co-workers, peer groups, and society in general is vital to enjoying a healthy lifestyle with economic and social growth.
At the end of the day, all parents have a duty to educate their children on the importance and value of courtesy. For a child to begin to learn the value of good manners, he or she has to understand ‘why’ he or she is being instructed and reminded to say and do the mannerly things. Courtesy and discipline are often practiced in age-appropriate karate classes, which many parents find helps instill this valuable trait, behavior, and outlook in their children. Raising well-
mannered children helps them to become successful, honorable, and valued members of society in the future.