Do you think it is proper for a child to call an adult by their first name?

Question

Do you think it is proper for a child to call an adult by their first name?

Answer 1

No, Mr (fill in blank) or Mrs (fill in blank) is much more respectful. Or sir / ma'am. My children do not have to say yes ma'am to me or their father, but I do request they say Sir/Ma'am to another adult.

Answer 2

As a sign of respect I would say that using a title like Miss. or Mr. is better. If you are going to allow a child to be calling adults by their first name...then don't complain in a few years when they aren't showing adults any respect. Sometimes we just have to accept the fact that not everyone is on the same level...would you walk up to the president and call him George?

Answer 3

Children generally learn by imitating their parents and other adults around them. Since adults call each other by first name. children quickly pick this up and start calling others by firstname.



Initially it is very amusing for the Parents to see their child call adults by name. This is absolutely normal for short or medium period of time. However you should put a check on the child that he/she doesnot form a habit of calling all by their first name. Especially the grand parents do not like this.

Answer 4

Hello,

I agree with "annoyed". It really depends upon the type of relationship between the adult and the child.

But if a child meets some adult for the first time. (S)he should address him/her as Sir or Ma'am or Mr or miss or Mrs.. whatever be the appropriate title... Even adults have to follow this rule, until they become friends and get casual...

Answer 5

Absolutely. Why should kids be made to feel inferior? Being an adult doesn't give you the right to demand some sort of extra title to your name. Anyone can become old, you just have to live long enough. Besides, half of all adults are jerks and deserve no respect.

Answer 6

Generally, no. Though, as you know, there are some names which are constructed with a "title" and a first name, such as "Uncle Billy."



Answers to questions like these seem less and less obvious in an era in which people are "opting out" of courtesy. Ultimately, though, teaching children to be courteous will pay off; with the supply diminishing and the demand for it as high as ever, courtesy is actually more valuable now than it has been in the past.

Answer 7

No, it's not proper. There should be a level of respect drawn between the child and the adult.

Answer 8

There are times when it would be appropriate. For example....a man marries a woman with kids. The woman's' ex is a daily part of the kids lives, and very much a father to them. The kids must refer to the step-father as something, and they can't call him Mr. ???? for the rest of their lives, so they would have to call him by his first name, which, in my opinion is fine.

Answer 9

NO! Being from the south I have always been told I should either address someone Mr., Mrs.(usually Miss). You should either say Miss Jones or Ms. Melissa or Mr. Brown or Mr. Bill! A child should always respect their elders.

Answer 10

It depends.



I think Miss/Mrs. Or Mr. should be what to use UNLESS the adult asks the child to drop it.



Some of the girls in my troop call me Miss Renée, others just Renée.

Answer 11

It depends on who the adult is. If it is their friend or someone not related to them, there is no reason to say it is not proper. If it is their parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, it would be very wrong.

Answer 12

It depends. If it's their parent, then no. They lose respect for you then. If it's a teacher, also no. Aunts, uncles, etc. usually are okay. Really, it depends on the person, and their position of authority. If it's going to get in the way of the adult's authority, then it is a bad idea.

Answer 13

NO...off course not. Back home every kid speak with Mr or Mrs. This shows respect. Adult also speak with Mr and Mrs or words that show respect.

Answer 14

when my son was about 2 years he used to call me by my first name ,now he calls me mummy (it didn't bother me as i knew when he got a bit older he would call me mummy).Now he has his friends from school calling me by my first name and i would rather this than them calling me miss i don't think it shows lack of respect,children often find it easier to approach adults who they are more familiar with.Children should have respect for everyone not just adults and its down to the parents to draw the line of respect for their children

Answer 15

Yes its proper for family or friends but someone they just met? Yes I think its inappropriate.

Answer 16

I always encouraged my children to use Mr. or Mrs. (surname) but if that person told them to call them John or Mary, it would be OK. I still call my elders by their surname. It is an offering of respect.

Answer 17

Just make sure you don't teach them to say Mrs. The ACLU, the WOW, etc. will sue you for everything you own, and plus, they will take your kids away from you. You must teach them to say, Mizzzzzzz.

Answer 18

It depends on the relationship of the parents to the person and if it ok with both sides it would be fine.

Answer 19

Yes, I believe respect can and should be shown in your manners and not according to the way you address people.

Answer 20

No it's disrespectful!! They should attach a Mr or Mrs or whatever in front of that name.

Answer 21

no its not disrespectful at all...what else is the child supposed to call them??? do you call people by their first name?

Answer 22

Yes, it makes the child more comfortable.

Answer 23

If it's the parents NO.. Any immediate family NO

Friends YES

Answer 24

If it was alright for Bart Simpson, it's gotta be alright for any child! {kidding,of course}.

Answer 25

YES!!!

Are you mental? So you mean that I, as a kid, should call adults by their last names? That is so STUPID!!!

Answer 26

only if it's not in their family or a good friend

Answer 27

no. it's very disrespectful. teach them to say miss or mister.

Answer 28

Of course it is , its your name isn,t it.

Answer 29

no