Teaching tolerance to our kids
Find a Conversation
| 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.


Pages
Well I am glad then. I always like to see involved parents :)
Have a nice night and Happy New Year!
Gotcha
Really got to go and dry and straighten my hair-lol!! Got to throw in my Buffalo Chicken Dip in too :)
Sorry you choose to "know" me by a messageboard online. Shrug.
Again the underage kids are not underage for fb but under 18 and 21.
Kevali
Me too!! This is IT for me with food and drinks-lol!!
Got to start going to the gym soon and cutting down on all the goodies :)
Thanks. Never can find a sitter. Asked months in advance so I would be sure to be able to go out-lol!!
Pages