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 - 9:19pm

They BOTH have health risks. Drinking has a risk of drinking and driving though.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:19pm
That is a really good question. Further, how do you explain to a child that they need to follow the rules on xyz when you allow and encourage them to break the rules of abc?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:20pm

How often do you see their posts and pictures?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:20pm
But if you are facebook friends with your child, they already see what is posted on your wall.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:21pm
Okay this is better...

Here honey the picture is up i wanted you to see that is inapropriate so i can teach you right from wrong.

I have not said what i have or have not done with 12 yr olds FB page. NOW~
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:21pm
I know, that would be a very difficult situation to deal with, imo.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-21-2003
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:21pm
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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:23pm

The people she is friends with are NOT the ones that I have seen not appropriate (IMO) posts and pictures.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:23pm
I shelter my children, darn right I do. I'm really not keen on exposing them to the horrors of the world, let alone the internet before they are ready. Damn right I shelter my kids, as a parent I would never think to purposely show them things they are not ready for in life.

I'm sure you are also quite aware that there is a major, huge difference between talking to a child about those things and showing them those things.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:24pm

Nope, she does not see posts from MY friends on her wall. I know because I go on her wall, just like I go on my dh's wall.

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