Elder Respect among American College Students: Exploration Of Behavioral Forms

Abstract

This study explored the ways in which college students conveyed elder respect. Based on data from a questionnaire survey of 521 subjects, 12 forms of elder respect, ranging from care respect to celebratory respect, were measured. Of these forms, six—acquiescent respect, care respect, linguistic respect, salutatory respect, consulting respect, and presentational respect—were frequently practiced. This study provides insights as to how younger adults in American culture exhibit elder respect. A typology of the forms signifying elder respect among the young American adults is presented. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.