I don't think kids should just give their parents respect. I think the parents should have to earn it

They don't deserve it automatically, they *earn* it from the care they give you in your early years *but then they have to keep it*. I do think that parental respect can be *lost*. If they carried you in the womb and took care of you as a baby - which is supremely tiring (sleepless), difficult (milk bottles, food), rigorous (all the times of day have to be respected and you cannot just 'forget' or 'do it later') and its often unpleasant (diapers). All this has been done to give an maintain your life. If they do this all for you, by the time you are a conscious being and understand what 'respect' means they have already earned it - but then they must keep it, by for instance, supporting you and being good parents during your childhood and teen years.

@bearthebear: Oh this one, i already replied to this one XD apparently this thread now has two pages, i didn't notice

@SterbenReyne: this question got people really fired up!

@bearthebear: I know, it's because it's a "child" who posted it, and because "children" aren't "Adults" they aren't taken as seriously. so everyone scrambles around trying to prove everything they can.. it's annoying..

@SterbenReyne: I know teens are not treated with the respect they deserve, especially in the US. But it's true that as a parent I reacted defensively to this question too... because it smacks of ungratefulness.

@bearthebear: well, that goes hand in hand though.. not only with the US but in general, respect and gratefulness are almost non existent now. i mean, it's still here, but hard to find in most places.

Fair enough, but being grateful for something and respecting someone are two different things... granted they go hand in hand, and very well a that.