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: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 5:19pm

That is why you make your account private. Shrug.

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 5:20pm
I'm not a big FB person, but I understand the concept of reading other kids' FB pages you're not friended to while you're logged in as your child.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 5:28pm

Nah, I think it is better to be safe than sorry.

Too many people (kids included) are drinking and driving.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 5:29pm

I agree. I don't think young tweens should be hanging out with 17/18 yr. olds. I do think they need to be aware of WHY though.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 5:31pm

So you are not really aware that you don't need to go on someone else's wall to see what they are saying, right? I can go right on my dd's wall and see the conversations. I have no need to check out their wall, unless, of course, there was something major going on.

I do see pictures and posts from underage kids (under 21) on my own wall and that is how I am aware of the drinking, smoking, drugs that is going on.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2005
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 5:31pm





iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 5:33pm

Oh my................amazing.

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 5:34pm
I understand what you're doing just fine.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 5:35pm

No, from your comments. I do not think so.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2005
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 5:37pm

So you think it is fine to break a rule/law as long as it's not as big as another rule/law?





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