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 - 9:56pm
Or underage facebook with bullies, underage drinking and smoking...plus 14/15 year olds posting pictures of themselves kissing on beds. I can see why you don't want to go there, the old people in glass houses shouldn't be throwing stones type of thing.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:57pm
You know....some people don't have to lie to get through life on a daily basis.

Just saying.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:57pm
OH my....what a very darn good point.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:58pm
Hey...welcome to the club.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 9:59pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-1999
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 10:02pm
In my state, it is legal for someone under 18 to get cigarettes from a family member. I'm in a Tobacco state...so go figure.

In some states it is legal for people under 21 to get alcohol from a family member, but I couldn't find the laws for my state. We have entire counties that are dry, but we also have horse racing. KY..the state of the oxymoron.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 10:08pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 10:32pm

You need to re-read my posts then if that is what you think.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Sat, 01-01-2011 - 10:33pm

To teach them WHAT drugs look like. You wouldn't want your child's health class to make them away of what is out there and for them to be aware if someone offers them something?

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

I don't know what?

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