Respect for elders is one of the most important elements in social psychology. Senior generations possess all their experience, know everything, and deserve recognition. And yet people like or just want no respect for those elderly people, so these kinds of disrespect & harassment against generations are happening regularly, and there is really something at stake here, in which the values that the youth are taught are very much in danger for the younger people in general. Hearing about one incident in which some young girl harassed an elderly woman, dubbed “Amma” and the reasons it is so disturbing is a great blow to society and has caused a debate on education, behaviour and to be concerned about social responsibility.
The girl touched Amma's foot, which is usually a sign of respect in most cultures. Instead of paying the situation with respect, she made negative statements about the elderly woman. That is disrespectful and hurtful too and especially is when it’s directed at someone who really needs your help and honors with it.
"Girl harassed an elderly woman." 😡
— Suraj Kumar Bauddh (@SurajKrBauddh) March 29, 2026
You all education is trash when you don't
know how to behave with an elderly woman.
Reportedly, Amma's foot was touched with
the girl. So she used derogatory remarks and gestures at her. This is so offensive. pic.twitter.com/ju2lSuz2hK
Witnesses said the scene was disturbing. The elderly woman, who was clearly upset, and many others in the community were frustrated and heartworn. For you the act was only in words, but to everyone’s heart and mind, there was not the empathy and awareness of fundamental values (“this kind of behavior can very commonly be misunderstood, but I couldn’t believe it because it would have someone think something is wrong.
This incident speaks to a bigger problem: the disconnect between education and behavior. Schools and families are all about success at an academic level so morality as well as respect for others remains the same. How older people behave is a must for social learning so that when young people don’t share respect it’s fair to notice what lessons are not being captured.
And respect for elders is not only cultural but also human. And loneliness with elderly people is compounded by health issues as well as vulnerability. Harassment brings grief to their lives. We must respect our elders: That means collectively protecting and honouring them.
This incident triggered outrage from those in the community. People are disappointed that that behavior is so much against what is being taught to young people when one doesn’t think about us and we get hurt? And we think moral education should be done very much more to humanize and increase empathy, which will teach people empathy.
And the harassment of Amma is not only one incident; it's the need to promote respect, empathy and dignity at work everyday in one way or another. Education should prepare young people not just for careers but also to treat elders with respect and work with integrity. Respect should not be cruelty but compassion among all humanity. Respect should be a fundamental value for generations, not just an ancient, passing norm.
