1
DECLINING RESPECT IN SOCIETY: TRUTH OR MYTH?
Declining Respect in Society: Truth or Myth?
Tamara Durgan
Oakland University
2
DECLINING RESPECT IN SOCIETY: TRUTH OR MYTH?
Introduction
In today’s society, most believe adolescents have lost respect for another and for themselves. Through
research I will be able to show if this problem is a fact or fiction. I will be conducting research from
different age groups to see what they think is causing this loss of respect. This research conducted will
point out that there might be issues that people are dealing with that causes this loss of respect (i.e.
divorce, betrayal, someone else died, etc.). My research questions are: Is respect declining and why is it
declining. My hypothesis is materialistic items is causing this society to lose respect. Also people might
be judging teenagers.
Boyd, Richard. (2006). ‘The Value of Civility?’ Urban Studies. 43(5-6), 863-878.
Mesch, Gustavo S. & Talmud, Ilan. (2010). Wired Youth: The Social World of Adolescence in the
Information Age. New York, NY: Routledge.
Phillips, Timothy & Smith, Philip. (2006). Rethinking Urban Incivility Research: Strangers, Bodies, and
Circulation. Urban Studies. 43(5-6), 879-901.
Land, Kenneth C., Lamb, Vicki L., & Zheng, Hui. (2010). How are the Kids Doing? How do We Know?:
Recent Trends in Child and Youth Well-Being in the United States and Some International
Comparisons. 100:463-477. doi: 10.1007/s11205-010-9624-5
Bannister, Jon, Fyfe, Nick, & Kearns, Ade. (2006). Respectable or Respectful? (In)civility and the City.
Urban Studies. 43(5-6), 919-937.
Dolliver, Mark. (2006). As Bad Language Becomes the Norm. All Business. Retrieved from
http://www.allbusiness.com/marketing-advertising/4217408-1.html.
Method
The methods I will be using to conduct this research are by interviews and surveys.
Participants
My participants are going to be people of all genders and races, with various degrees in education.
Based on my survey, most likely 100-200.
3
DECLINING RESPECT IN SOCIETY: TRUTH OR MYTH?
I am going to recruit them asking if they wanted to participate in a survey.
I am not requiring any criteria.
Materials
I have completed a consent form in which I will be passing out to people for the surveys and for
interviewees. I was considering using video recorder, iFlip from Student and Technology Center, and
also field notes while taking interviews.
I do not require any special supplies.
Procedure
Research design is going to be mini-ethnographic. In my study I will be able to use my research to prove
my hypothesis. My research is going to be conducted over a period of several weeks. I have set up my
first interview for Tuesday afternoon.
Results
Data will be collected through surveys and interviews and then scanned into a scanner for better notes.
Implications
My results will be important to solve the controversial debate if respect is declining by age in society.
References
Boyd, Richard. (2006). ‘The Value of Civility?’ Urban Studies. 43(5-6), 863-878.
Burrow, John. Pastor. Trinity Lutheran Church, Clawson, MI.
Ewick, Margaret (Peggy). Guidance Counselor. Clawson High School, Clawson, MI.
Mesch, Gustavo S. & Talmud, Ilan. (2010). Wired Youth: The Social World of Adolescence in the
Information Age. New York, NY: Routledge.
Phillips, Timothy & Smith, Philip. (2006). Rethinking Urban Incivility Research: Strangers, Bodies, and
Circulation. Urban Studies. 43(5-6), 879-901.
Land, Kenneth C., Lamb, Vicki L., & Zheng, Hui. (2010). How are the Kids Doing? How do We Know?:
Recent Trends in Child and Youth Well-Being in the United States and Some International
Comparisons. 100:463-477. doi: 10.1007/s11205-010-9624-5
4
DECLINING RESPECT IN SOCIETY: TRUTH OR MYTH?
Bannister, Jon, Fyfe, Nick, & Kearns, Ade. (2006). Respectable or Respectful? (In)civility and the City.
Urban Studies. 43(5-6), 919-937.
Dolliver, Mark. (2006). As Bad Language Becomes the Norm. All Business. Retrieved from
http://www.allbusiness.com/marketing-advertising/4217408-1.html.