Condescension.

When talking to little kids, they do not notice when we change the way we speak in order to allow them to understand. Presenting ourselves differently does not change the way that they see us. In high school, that does not go well. First, high school students see themselves as if they know everything. Second, although maturity levels of every student vary, high school students are not children, and they still deserve respect, which means not speaking down to them. Not only does this apply to adults, but also us students ourselves.

Conversations held between a student and an adult should have the underlying understanding that the teacher has ultimate authority over the student. However, this does not mean the the adult should talk down to the student because they are talking a person who can think for themselves. Respect is very important in all conversations, and when respect is not given, the whole conversation becomes meaningless. When adults fail to give students respect, tipically, the student becomes offended and do not invest themselves in the interaction. Also, another consequence of the failure of respect given is that they will not want to talk to you again, and also not give the respect you lacked to give them.

Interactions between student and student should hardly ever be predominately one ranking higher over the other, with only a few exceptions. In high school, we all grow to be on the same field intellectually. When one talks down to someone when they are one the same intellectual level, it is rude. The reason this happens, in my opinion, is usually when one believes that they add seemingly right and all-knowing of the topic being discussed. And typically,  because we are only in our teens, this is not the case. Another observation that I have made, is that it is usually an opinion-based. In high school, a lot of students are thinking for themselves, questioning things, and forming their own opinions. When someone does not allow someone to speak their mind, by talking down to the or interrupting, it speaks volumes of their character. Regardless of whether you believe that someone is right or wrong in their opinion, you should still give them the respect they deserve. As humans we were blessed with the ability to think for ourselves. With saying that, should we not allow one to express their God-given right as an individual?

JSL