The 7 differences between tolerance and respect

We explain the keys to distinguish between these two concepts applied to social relations.

There are terms that, despite having completely different meanings, tend to be confused because of their incorrect use when speaking. This is what happens, for example, with the concepts of tolerance and respect; a large number of people use them as synonyms, when in fact their meaning differs.

In this article we will explain what are the main differences between tolerance and respect.. First we will analyze these concepts individually, and then we will go on to see a list of aspects in which we can distinguish between the two.

What is tolerance?

To properly understand the differences between tolerance and respect, let's first look at what tolerance is; it refers to the fact of putting up with a situation, even though it may be adverse to us.

In other words, the tolerant subject does not express disagreement with the unpleasant circumstances that he has to faceInstead, he or she endures them, in a stoic manner and without interfering in the actions of others.

Tolerance does not imply understanding that other people may have different opinions from our own and that it is best to accept them in a healthy manner, within the framework of social norms. This term focuses primarily on the fact of accepting without understanding the why of things.

For example, when I accept that people yell at me or treat me badly in any other way, and for no apparent reason, I am showing an attitude of tolerance, since I am willing to put up with mistreatment from others without putting up any resistance.

What is respect?

Respect, on the other hand, refers to a more complex process of understanding than that which can occur when we are merely tolerant.. That is, when we respect we do so because we have analyzed and understand that other people have valid reasons for thinking differently.

The attitude of respect is based on the value that people have for the opinions and thoughts of others; that is why respect itself becomes a fundamental value of human beings. For respect to exist there must be empathyIt is necessary to put oneself in the other person's shoes.

Respect also includes being respected by others; the belief that "I respect but I demand that they also respect me". Otherwise, we would be moving from an attitude of genuine respect to one of tolerance, where one of the two parties would be enduring mistreatment from the other, as it is an asymmetrical relationship.

Differences between tolerance and respect

As we have seen above, respect focuses mainly on understanding the needs of others and accepting that those needs are not always the same as our own, while tolerance is focused on an attitude of unconditional toleration.

The following is a more detailed look at some of the differences between respect and tolerance, concepts that can be so confusing to the public.

1. The level of empathy

This is one of the main differences between tolerate and respect; when we respect we do so because we care about the opinions of others, including the reasons someone has for thinking the way they do.including the reasons someone has for thinking the way they do. On the other hand, when we tolerate, we are only being submissive, without taking anything else into account.

2. Self-esteem

Subjects who only tolerate, without being respected, usually present some conflict with their self-esteem, usually present some conflict with their self-esteem.. In other words, the better the self-esteem, the greater the degree of self-respect and respect for others; while those with a poorly established self-esteem will only be tolerant, because they believe that their position is not worth defending.

3. Capacity for analysis

In order to respect an opinion different from our own, it is necessary to have the ability to analyze the different factors surrounding that opinion on the part of the other person. On the other hand, if we only tolerate opinions that we don't like, we are not really understanding the reasons for it, we are only acting out of the inertia of toleration and social pressure.

4. Self-sufficiency

It may happen that people tolerate certain behaviors of others only because they are not able to fend for themselves; on the other hand, when the subject is self-sufficient, he/she is self-sufficient, when the subject is self-sufficient, he/she is able to respect him/herself more and stop tolerating uncomfortable situations..

5. The need for approval

Another key difference between tolerance and respect is people's need for approval, those with a higher level of blind tolerance usually seek to be accepted at all costs in a social group. in a social group.

6. Cultural influence

Those people with a closed way of thinking, where cultural influence is irrefutable, show a higher degree of tolerance towards the ideas of the different cultures that exist. On the other hand, free-thinking individuals are able to respect the beliefs of others, however different they may be. however different they may be.

7. Social skills

Social skills are seen to a greater extent in those who have a better impulse better impulse managementand, therefore, more capacity to respect other people's thoughts despite not agreeing with them.

On the other hand, people who have constant difficulties in relating to others tend to show an excessive level of tolerance when they do not know how to behave in front of certain people they want to please.