Large segments of the youth population no longer distinguish between their peers and the adult population. Some young people have not been taught to respect their elders. It is disturbing to hear some young people say that they only respect their parents and have little or no respect for other adults. Some parents teach their children to refrain from saying, “Yes, sir” or “No, sir.” Instead, they teach them to say “Yes” or “No” to everyone regardless of age or position. Some parents do not believe that their children should address other adults with the titles of “Mr.” or “Mrs.” The pursuit of Youth is why some parents oppose teaching their children to use titles that signal respect when talking with or addressing other adults. Lots of parents compete with their children in trying to stay young. They do not want to be referred to as “Mr.” or “Mrs.” because that reminds them that they are growing older. A society that allows children and Youth to lose respect for adults and the elderly is doomed to failure and despair. Some youth say, “You have to give respect to get respect.” this may be true, but some institutions demand respect, whether earned or not, such as the military and the prison system. When I was in the military, I showed respect for officers who had not earned my respect. I respected them because they represented the institution of the army. If I disagreed with a superior officer, I would always say, “Sir, I respectfully disagree.” Officers were greeted with a salute as a sign of respect, and they were addressed with the title of “sir.” If a young person can learn within a short period to address a young lieutenant who may be in his early twenties as “sir,” they can respect those who are old enough to be their parents by saying, “Yes, sir” or “No, ma’am.” Young soldiers showed respect for officers in the military because they realized their lives might depend on obeying their orders in a combat zone. Certain institutions are worthy of respect, even if the men or women who represent the institutions are not worthy of consideration. Soldiers who failed to salute an officer during basic training were ordered to drop and do several pushups immediately. It was always “Yes, sir” or “No, sir” in the military, and it was “Yes, sir,” “No, sir,” “Yes, ma’am,” and “No, ma’am” when I was a boy. God established the institution of the family for the nurturing and protection of children. Parents are the chief administrators of the family. The family is not a democracy. Children are to honor and respect their parents, but it is also essential for parents to love and treat their children with dignity. According to historians, the Roman Empire was not destroyed by a superior military power. Instead, poor public health conditions, the rapid rise of disease, and the escalation of alcoholism were conditions that contributed to the downfall of Rome.