Respect for fathers and mothers is a common tenant of most cultures. With the advent of modern psychology, we now question this idea. If we blame our parents for our problems, why should respect them? Respecting our parents is good for us as well. Respect is to admit that we don't have all the answers and neither did our parents. We recognize that our parents had to overcome their own childhoods as well. Respecting our parents is respecting ourselves and ultimately respecting the cycle of life.