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 - 6:15pm
Yes, they didn't need to change, they weren't bullies or talking about drugs, drinking and so forth to begin with. I'm okay with my tween not hanging around the type of kids you say are common in middle school and on facebook. Really, really okay with it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:15pm

Do you think bullying ONLY occurs with underage kids on fb?

I don't think anyone can avoid kids bullying. You have never heard of any incidents at your children's schools or even when YOU were in school.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:16pm

They are family and kids of our friends.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:18pm
Sure, a newsfeed is basically a running update of all status that are posted by your friends on facebook. They can include pictures, videos and just comments. Ds1 is included in mine because we are friends, I am also friends with a number of his friends, at their request. On my newsfeed, I can see anything that includes him, I can see whenever he posts on anything. On his newsfeed, he has my updates hidden, so I don't appear on his stuff.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:21pm

Again, until I hear from the op if she 100% knows that they took it down then I will know if they actually do.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:21pm

Nope. Swoosh..........

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:24pm
Thanks. Are you saying you can see on your newsfeed when he posts on a page you're not friended to?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:24pm

Queasy to know what is going on with your child and her friends?

Wonder why so many kids are into things that are inappropriate for their age-Wow!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:26pm

I think the "knowing" I am watching is the biggest thing, lol.

ITA. More parents need to be monitoring what their children do online and off.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2009
Fri, 12-31-2010 - 6:27pm

If you are A okay in your choice to allow your 12 year old a fb page and comfortable in your choice of how you monitor etc... there is no logical reason to be

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