Teaching tolerance to our kids

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2010
Teaching tolerance to our kids
1822
Mon, 12-27-2010 - 4:06pm

The discussion in the other thread about gay marriage (OK, it wasn’t so much a discussion as an attack on granitestategal, plus the last time I checked it had devolved into mumbling and maniacal laughter...time to move on!) got me to thinking about this new generation of kids and how things have changed for them. Technology has exploded, and kids are more connected than ever before. They’re also disconnected in a whole new way, but this thread isn’t about that. I’d like to know what we are teaching our kids as far as tolerance for other religions, races and lifestyles.

My parents were brought up by parents who were extremely prejudiced against non-Catholics and non-whites. My great-grandparents must not have passed along the lessons they’d learned as immigrants themselves. The town we lived in was predominantly white and Catholic, and up until high school I didn’t know anyone who was black, Jewish, Hispanic, or gay*. When I moved away from home, I was blown away by how different people outside my little world really were, and fascinated by it. I was, and am, determined to raise my kids to respect and appreciate the differences of others and to understand that deep down we really aren’t that different.

A few years ago when DS was 4, we ran into the husband of a co-worker at a music festival. My co-worker is also male. I probably went overboard in my introduction, but I wanted to get the point across that it’s perfectly OK for some families to consist of 2 dads or 2 moms, or one parent, or parents of different races/religions.

Kevali


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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2009
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:43pm
You can say you are but your attitude says otherwise!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:44pm

Huh?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:44pm
But I am not foolish enough to believe that I know 100% of what my child is doing, thinking or feeling. If my child was surrounded by friends and family that had underage children who talked about drugs, drinking and so forth....I would be much more concerned and much more aware and really not allow underage facebook.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:45pm
Like I said...I'm good, thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:45pm

This has been established a FEW times-lol!!

What my question is, did fb TAKE DOWN THE ACCOUNTS???

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:46pm

Swoosh.......

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:47pm
Oh I will....it's a great time, but I can tell you...I'm about partied out the last month. I'm actually looking forward to healthy food come the New Year because I am rich fooded out, lol.

Have fun and enjoy your first NYE out in a long time!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:48pm

I doubt it. I think most people are just not aware and don't pay attention to posts and pictures of kids accounts. (Underage I am speaking of is not underage for fb but for drinking and smoking and always underage for drugs).

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:49pm
I will, you do as well...but hey, make a new years resolution about what you think I need or am doing on a given basis, might save a few hundred posts and a lot of backpedaling when you are wrong!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:49pm

Again, I don't check it everyday and my dd has been really good about telling me about things BEFORE I go and look.

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