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
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 2:07pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 2:11pm

Oh my.....:smileyvery-happy:

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 2:14pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 2:16pm

When we were traveling with three DDs I don't think we ever missed a rest stop.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 2:17pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 2:18pm
Exactly. Even in perfect driving conditions (sunny skies, good, straight roads, no traffic at all), it's impossible to drive 400 miles in 4.5 hours without driving 88mph.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 2:24pm
LOL. We always stop a lot when we drive. Mostly for me. Luckily DH doesn't mind.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 2:29pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 2:34pm

my dd has friends on FB and they have tried to friend me and I always say no that they are my daughter's friends not mine, I don't think adults need to be friends with 11 year olds and nor do I think 11 year olds should be on FB when the rules are one should be 13.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 2:39pm

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