Decline in respect

Starting this new school year has been a challenge for me. Not only because I no longer get to do as I please during the day. But because the students I have this year are the epitome of disrespect. When I give the silent signal they continue to talk. When I begin explaining what they are to do they begin to talk right over me. Well today I had had it, and in my moment of desperation I told all of my students they had to respond to me with either "yes ma'am" or "no ma'am." As I was saying this to my students I thought yeah right like this will work. But as they day went on I noticed that they became conscious of how they were talking to me. I have come to the conclusion that the decline of respect in society is not the fault of the youth but rather the fault of those who don't demand it. The lackadaisical attitude that turns the other cheek when someone misbehaves is rampant. Be the person that stops an injustice. If I see it I call it like it is, and I never allow disrespect to continue. Phew, I thought I would feel better but I don't, promise me you will do your part to stop a child from getting picked on, stop a grouchy salesperson with a smile, and vote for crying out loud.