Why doesn't anyone treat anyone else with respect anymore?

I am a 24 year old woman. I look younger than I am. I grew up pretty poor, drive a junk box car, don't have a tv, internet, blah blah blah... BUT I put myself through a prestigious school, got a Bachelor's of Science in Civil Engineering and work for the state that I live in. Until I tell people about my job and where I went to school, I am treated like I do NOT matter. I have many friends and family members who are respectful, intelligent and deserve to be treated with decency, but just aren't. Why is this? What is wrong with people today and what can we do to change this? It is unacceptable!