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


 Photobucket

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:20pm
Yes. 350 miles in 5 hours at 70mph is possible. Unlike 400 miles in 4.5 hours at 70mph. Makes a better story when it's exaggerated, huh?
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:20pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:23pm

Nope, just getting older and asked dh (who is actually older but remembers-lol!!). This was probably almost 10 years ago too so it was not yesterday. Did the trip twice and knew that it took less time than what mapquest told us it would take.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:25pm

I know that you have never driven around the state of florida in a "day trip"

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:33pm

And HOW do you know that? I HAVE said over and over that I have friends and family who live in your state. My parents used to live there and we visited and traveled to different places in FL. We have gone from one place to another to GET to FL (driving through it to get to FL). I have visited both sides of FL. I have briefly been in Ft. Lauderdale (for a cruise).

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:37pm


b/ I know for a fact you have never been in my town have never heard of it and have no clue where it is or where i live.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:41pm

So I might not have been IN your town (again you just never know, have been in some interesting ones to say the least-lol!!) but I would like to know how you have determined that I NEVER took a day trip in and through FL in my life. Please explain...........

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:49pm

i think FB has bigger problems to address than tattlers picking on kids because of age.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:51pm

for me it sets an upsetting precedent of telling your child that the rules don't apply to them -- there are rules

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:51pm
Hey, is the Cirque du Soleil in town?

Pages