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: 12-01-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:54pm

and you and I are good friends on FB and you've seen my posts - aside from my political rants- are fairly tame too --so that's not the issue - but I just feel for me it's not appropriate to be FB friends with my daughters 11 and 12 year old school chums-- my life is my life and I odn't need little bitsy going in and commenting about my life to my own daughter- you know?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:56pm

I think FB should care about people abusing the privilege of a FB account-- and I hope they take it seriously.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:57pm
Yep. There are rules, and I expect everyone to follow them. If they don't, I will notify tptb. I will NOT participate in the behavior, either by providing alcohol for a minor, loaning my car to someone w/out a license, or accepting a friend request form a child younger than 13.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:58pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 8:59pm

ITA with you. I think parents should be AWARE of what is going on with your child's fb. I don't think someone should be tattling about a child's fb though. Honestly, unless they are harming themselves or the person, that person needs to mind their own business.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:02pm
As soon as I receive a friend request from the kid, it becomes my business.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:03pm
Im scratchig my head on that one too...
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:03pm

I have NO problem with my child having a fb account before 13. I DO have a problem with kids under the age of 21 posting pictures of themselves and friends drinking and doing drugs.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:03pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:04pm

Don't you have any intelligent responses regarding me? Soooo mature. BAER

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