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 - 9:07pm
How can you totally agree with me when you just said the opposite?

I am friends with the youth leaders, so I see their accounts. They are NOTHING like you describe.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:08pm
But I thought you said it was only one or two? You went on and on earlier in this thread about how much this was a problem, so is it a problem or isn't it?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:08pm

Yes, I do not believe my 12 yr. old should be hanging out with 17/18 yr. olds on a daily basis in "most" situations.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:08pm
But if they are friends of yours or other family members, don't they already see them?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:09pm

Nope, again, my dd is not friends with the same people I am and the particular ones I am speaking of.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:09pm
If you are friends with your child on facebook, you don't need to make them, they already see what is posted on your wall.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:09pm

Please explain.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:10pm
How do you know she isn't interested? If you leave it logged in all the time and/or if she is friends with you, she already sees it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:11pm
Which is it cherubs? first this is what you do and then it is not what you do. If it was me, how i choose to raise my kids is how I choose to raise my kids if ppl do not agree with me, not my issue.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:12pm
Are you friends with her on facebook or not?

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