I read an article titled "I beg your pardon" in the newspaper today about manners. The columnist, Henry Alford, is trying an approach he calls reverse etiquette where he apologizes when it really isn't his fault, but the person who should be saying, "I'm sorry" fails to do so. He is concerned because the offending individuals still don't seem to get it and just accept his apology. Maybe manners just aren't as big a deal as they used to be.
Manners need to be taught, but they aren't included in the NCLB law, so maybe there just isn't time for this anymore. Plus, good manners start at home, and parents have to be consistent with their expectations. This isn't always easy in today's busy world.
What I'm getting at here is that teachers should be reinforcing good manners, not introducing them for the first time. It's so important for kids to learn respect before they come to school. If they are allowed to talk back and set the rules at home, it's a pretty good indication they are going to push for control at school.
Then there is the problem of kids watching others show disrespect and getting by with it. A lot of television sitcoms are based on kids being rude to others, and the laugh tracks go crazy at the end of each rude comment. I sometimes find the laugh tracks so annoying that I can't stand the shows. Is it just me, or are they getting louder? Plus, the laughter sounds fake. It's like a jar is being opened and closed with obnoxious, donkey laughter exploding out each time it is opened.
Maybe there should be a class on manners that kids have the pleasure of attending if their behavior is inappropriate at school. It could be held on Saturday morning or after school. Instead of just sitting and doing work, they could role play and be placed in scenarios where they can choose to use good manners. This includes not laughing at others when they make bad choices.