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: 08-22-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:13pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:13pm
Hiding it on your newsfeed, only hides it on your newsfeed...if she is friends with them, you would have to go to her account and hide it as well.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-1999
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:14pm
Geesh! What would my friend do who has an 18 yo, 13 yo, and 9 yo.? Granted the 18 yo is away at college now, but last year, when he was 17 and in high school, he was around the younger ones EVERY DAY! What should the mom have done? Kicked him out?

"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. "

Pretty stupid and not well-thought-out statement to make.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:14pm

Did you ask me this before? Where?

And yes, I HAVE mentioned it to the parents AND put up status' of what I find not appropriate. IME, some make them take down the posts and pictures, some are in denial and don't even look and some think it is ok.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-1999
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:15pm
If you think this stuff is inappropriate, why are you friens with them?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:15pm

Again, I ONLY expose if they are sitting right with me to see it. I don't go out and find it to show them.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:16pm

Yes, why?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:18pm
I know what the legal ages are. I'd still be more concerned about the smoking than drinking, unless the drinking was accompanied by drunk driving or binge drinking or had a negative impact on my kid's schooling or working.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:18pm
All I remember is that you ignored the question time and time again. Please link me to where you answered that question about underage drinking and smoking and I would be happy to apologize to you.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:18pm

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

Oh my...AGAIN...yes I teach and educate them what is WRONG.

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