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


 Photobucket

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:13pm
First hand knowledge is not enough?
Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:13pm
Yuk. According to you, this stuff is all over FB. You even allow it on your own wall. Viewing this on a regular basis just normalizes it and teaches kids that "everyone" is doing it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:14pm

See, we never think of not sharing passwords as again, we are not hiding anything and nothing is too personal (not sure what would be since we have been married almost 18 years-lol!!) for either of us to see.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:16pm
If that is true, how do you explain your earlier posts about all the bullies in middle school, bullies on facebook, underage posts about drinking, smoking and etc?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:17pm

Again, I am teaching my children what is NOT acceptable to do.

It all depends on the movie and the age of the child.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:17pm
Exactly...well said.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:19pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:19pm

18 is the legal age for smoking. 21 is for drinking.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:21pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:21pm
I think it depends on the tween and the 17/18 year olds. My kids have some great junior leaders in youth group who are that age, as one example.

Pages