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
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 2:37pm
I don't know...some people never change; they just like you to think that they have....but a leopard always shows its spots eventually.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 2:49pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2000
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 2:51pm

Facebook's rules say that they should not be on it, therefore they should not be on it.,


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 3:04pm

We definitely try to.

“Clearly," said Arthur,"you're an idiot- but you're our kind of idiot. Come on.” 
― Markus ZusakThe Book Thief

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2000
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 3:22pm

LOL!


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 3:29pm

I laughed at myself the other day because I never told my kids they needed to wait until their father came home, if they misbehaved.

“Clearly," said Arthur,"you're an idiot- but you're our kind of idiot. Come on.” 
― Markus ZusakThe Book Thief

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 3:31pm
Lol. My younger dd used to be very literal. When she was in 1st grade, she was packing for a girl scout trip using the GS list, which included the statement, "dress for the weather." When I looked through her suitcase later, I had to ask her why she was bringing a dress on a campout....
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 3:44pm

Why couldn't you just say yes? ER

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2009
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 3:46pm
LOL! that was funny, i have not told my kids that either but, i have said it to the dog, dh's dog specifically.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 3:46pm

What kind of answer was that?

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