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 - 8:28pm

Sigh...you must have missed my MANY posts that have said that she has defriended people AND the majority HER decision.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:28pm
They are family members and children of friends.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:29pm

Again, if my child is around me when I see them, then I teach them. I don't "make" my children come and see the pictures and posts.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:29pm
What was told to me was that the bully posts were from underage friends of the child, the other posts were family members and kids of friends.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:29pm

Nope. I have explained over and over. Shrug.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:29pm
Exactly.
Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:30pm
No, I didn't miss them, but you missed my point. It makes no sense to defriend kids for these behaviors when you allow them on your own wall and your dd sees them there.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:31pm

Again, I don't "make" my children go over to me and see pictures and posts. If they ARE sitting with me, then I will explain what I feel is wrong.

How about myspace. How do you feel about underage kids putting their age up there as over 16? How would you feel if YOUR child did that?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:33pm

While I do NOT agree with either under underage, I think drinking IS worse. You can't kill someone by smoking and driving.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:33pm

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