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 - 9:32pm
Ah....wasn't that the context of your post? So ya.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:33pm
You don't know that.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:33pm
45 states have enacted laws that subject underage kids who purchase cigarettes with
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:33pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:34pm

People I have hidden are not friends with my dd.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:35pm
But it's okay to show them family members and children of your friends in the worst possible situations and call it education.

Yes, I have answered you, many times now on this exact same issue. Again, the ones that my children know, yes I am facebook friends with them and see their every single solitary post. They are NOTHING like you describe, as I said, we have very different circle of family and friends. I'm good with that, really.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:36pm

Nope. They only see what I have responded to. You can check that out with your child's account if you would like as I have done so already.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:38pm
But she sees your account and it's left open all the time, as you say.

Yes, given the previous posts....I'm not believing this either.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:38pm

I dont recall ever saying so many ppl have a problem with the way I raise my kids. In fact i have NEVER said so many ppl have a problem with it. However I could care a less if anyone has a problem with it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:40pm
finally.me wrote:

Kevali


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