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 - 8:47pm

Maybe you should read back as I did say a few times, YES, I HAVE REPORTED THESE PICTURES.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:49pm
I'm not sure I understand, you allow underage (as in under 13) to be exposed to bullies, drinking and smoking underage but don't think tweens should be around 17/18 years old irl?
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:49pm
My kids have no bullying, drinking, drugging fb posts.

I do know of one instance of underage drinking by her extended group of friends, and she was not a part of it. I believe those friends would not include it on facebook, as they are not incredibly stupid. Why would the underage publish bad behavior if they wanted to continue it?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:50pm
Do you not see a difference between talking to kids about these types of things and exposing them to these types of things?
Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:50pm
How can you expect your dd to make good choices about friends on FB when she is seeing inappropriate posts from your own friends.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:50pm

Again, it seems you think it is ok for underage drinking IF they just have a drink of wine with dinner? Ok. I do not feel the same way.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:51pm
Knowing about, talking about it....is very different than allowing a child to be exposed to those types of things.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:52pm
For what purpose?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:52pm

Nope, if the picture is up, then YES, I will say something to them. I don't go LOOKING for the pictures or posts.

I didn't ask if your child DID have a myspace account. I asked if you thought it was ok.

And I don't think you answered me about you saying you were "sick" to your stomach the other day about your underage child having a fb account and how you were going to take it down. Now you are saying they still have one. WHY?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 8:53pm
And given that a child is seeing these images on facebook, on their own account, most likely a parent wouldn't be right there to explain them.

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