The rights and privileges of one are not always the same for everyone. And this seems especially true in issues of authority. At the same time, there are aspirational values that require submission from us all.
Of course, parents and children occupy different positions in the hierarchy of the family. And this gives parents certain rights and privileges not afforded to the children. Parents have the duty to provide for their kids and train them in the way they should go, while children are expected to obey and honor their parents. There’s a clear division in their roles and responsibilities.
All the same, there are overarching values and principles that both parents and children must equally submit to. Love would certainly top this list, as neither get to be unloving toward the other. They must both grow in their practice of love. Self-control, patience, and truthfulness might also be included.
Whatever it looks like, these aspirational values are the mark we’re all pressing toward. While our given role will shape the particular expression of these values, we’re not free to ignore or otherwise dismiss them simply due to our position. Whether we’re young or old, in authority or not, there are certain practices we must all submit ourselves to.
To be sure, naming these doesn’t give a “child” the same authority as a “parent,” but it does demonstrate that we are all under authority. And it’s much easier to receive correction when an appeal is made to these universal principles rather than merely our own personal preferences.
Recognizing aspirational values keeps us humble, as we must own our own shortcomings even as we expect others to do the same. We do not burden others with rules and expectations that we don’t submit to ourselves.
In the end, respect different roles and positions of authority without using this as an excuse to neglect aspirational values. There are universal principles we must all submit to.
