Some consider teenagers and young people to be among one of the more disrespectful age groups in school, in the community and in the workplace. They point to their youth or naivete as the common culprits.

That is where having proper etiquette comes into play. It is something that needs to be implemented in schools, in order to improve the issue that general politeness is not being taken seriously by millennials.

Problems that permeate the younger generations include, excessive swearing and disrespect or disregard for adult or authority figures.    

Etiquette is important to learn as a teenager because it will affect their lives thereafter. Lessons learned during one’s youth are often the ones most remembered and carried on throughout one’s adult life.

By learning general etiquette from a young age, teenagers will be better prepared for life in a professional, educational and work environment.

Some may argue that kids are generally more rambunctious by nature and must be free to enjoy their youth without the restrictions and obligations of adult life. They argue that they have their whole lives ahead of them for teenagers to “grow up.”

This, however, is misleading. Teenagers can still enjoy their youth while also retaining a proper sense of courtesy and morals.

Simply being a polite and courteous person does not, and should not, hinder youth from having fun and enjoying themselves.

Cordiality seems not to be as prominent a skill for young people to learn, as it once was. This, however, does not undermine its necessity in the lives of youth.

Civility and politeness need to be not only learned but also actively implemented in schools. This should be done especially if youth are to progress and refute the general assumption that young people are inconsiderate and rude.