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: 07-17-2007
Thu, 12-30-2010 - 6:22pm

It depends.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Thu, 12-30-2010 - 6:28pm
It wasn't relevant or even accurate so I really don't see the point.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Thu, 12-30-2010 - 6:31pm
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Yes, that is what I just said despite your comment of "ITA." in a previous post. I read the examples and that is why I said we don't agree, despite your post to me of "ITA.". That was clear when I read the posts the first time and I had a lovely afternoon, thank you very much!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Thu, 12-30-2010 - 6:31pm
It varies, depends on the cirucumstances.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2005
Thu, 12-30-2010 - 6:54pm

And if Facebook does not enforce the age limits, why should anyone child on there expect them to enforce any terms of service that are more vague or open to interpretation, like rules against cyber bullying? If an 11-year-old is bullied, is it Facebook's fault for not enforcing the bullying rules even if the parents themselves determined that Facebook's rules should not apply to their child?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Thu, 12-30-2010 - 7:10pm

Depends on what? What are some things you do for discipline?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Thu, 12-30-2010 - 7:11pm

Uh huh---lol!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Thu, 12-30-2010 - 7:12pm

Can you please give me some examples of circumstances and how you discipline.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Thu, 12-30-2010 - 7:52pm

It depends on which child.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Thu, 12-30-2010 - 7:59pm

How old are your children?

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