My ethnic community holds a tremendous respect for elders and the wisdom they share. Elders are regarded as the stewards of cultural knowledge and traditions, and their opinion is highly valued. This regard is more than a social norm, it is a moral obligation, expressing the concept that age gives wisdom and insight that should guide the next generation.  This reverence to elders can occasionally clash with modern ideas about equality and autonomy. This hierarchy may be considered outdated or even repressive in societies that value egalitarian principles and challenge authority.