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: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:03pm
I have to ask yet again, do you tell the parents?
Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:04pm
Eh, I have already said that I have spoken to both my 13-yr-old AND my 11-yr-old about those things. I just don't expose them to online bullying and inappropriate pictures like you do. THAT is just wrong, imo.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:04pm
You are not friends with your dd on facebook?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:04pm
OH yes.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:04pm

This is why we talk about things we feel is not right. SHE is the one that de-friends people and tells me when she does it. None of the underage (under 21) kids who I have seen pictures and posts (and yes, I think the F word is not appropriate for a kid to say online or IRL) are friends of hers on her fb.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-1999
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:04pm
Just like facebook and the federal government think that under 13 is too young to have a FB account. Why is one rule ok to break and not the other? Why do care what the govenment thinks in one instance (smoking) and not in the other? Because you think one is harmful and the other isn't? That is social relativism.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:05pm

"So you don't think teaching your children what pictures are put up on facebook by kids under 21 is educating them?

"No, I did say I do think it is educating them what is right and wrong."

Um chrubs lol, that first paragraph was a copy and paste from your post.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:05pm

In health class?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:06pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:06pm

Sigh....again, these kids are NOT on her account. The bullying WAS but again, these kids were de-friended by my dd.

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