how do u teach diversity and tolerance in today's society?

Question

my wife and i are about to try and get pregnant, w/her carrying. how do we teach our child to be tolerant and accepting of everyone, in a world where so many intolerant actions are committed? how do u teach the beauty of diversity to a child?

Answer 1

The great thing about children is that they constantly challenge us to re-examine ourselves. The first few years will be just one-day-at-a-time stuff, mostly changing diapers and whatnot. Set a good example and follow through. A child can see through a hypocrite easily. Be as straightforward as you can, and tell the truth. Expose your child to as many multicultural (Chinese New Year, Kwanzaa, Halloween, even Black History Month and there are tons more) festivals as you can. Teach your child about your background and family history, so your child can learn to respect themselves, too. Acceptance of our differences helps us to find the similarities. Because children can rebel, be prepared to let them make their own choices, Hard core satanists could wind up raising a bible thumping Jehovah's Witness. So allow them to explore and offer them a choice, for example, would they like to try Italian or Greek food. Would they like to go to a Tojo or a temple? Expose them to art, all different periods and styles, and music, from classical to tribal chants. There are so many ways to ignite a child's spirit.

All that said, please remember that your child will be an individual. Nourish and treasure him or her first and foremost. The love and acceptance of a parent is critical in how the child sees the world around them.

Answer 2

Live diversity -- have objects and books that have diverse subjects. Be able to discuss and explore them with your child, she or he will lead the way on many of them, but simply having them around will stimulate their acceptance and appreciation of them.

Critical Thinking -- being able to be a critical thinker is..erm..critical. This is especially true of thinking critically about issues of prejudice and discrimination. Children should be able to reason for themselves why certain things are "wrong" or "right" or merely "different."

Listening -- not only will the child lead you, but by listening to their questions (and perhaps asking a few of your own to be certain of their subject) you will be better able to respond to them.

Answering -- children will interpret "no answer" as "I shouldn't have asked." If you don't have an answer to a question about difference or diversity (or anything else) let them know that you need to think about it, ask someone else, or be willing to explore it with them through study or asking an authority.

Difference -- be responsive to their noticing that other people and their lives are different. This difference doesn't, of course, mean that one is better than another, but children tend to interpret their experience as being "the way."

Opportunities -- Create opportunities for your child to be around diverse groups of people, and interact with them yourself.

Intervene -- Don't let any prejudicial remark or action by your child or those around your child go unchallenged. It may not always be prudent to confront the person who commits the act, but be certain the child understands the reasons why what happened was not appropriate, and if you did not take action, the reason why.

Model -- be the model you would like your child to become. Of course they will eventually rebel, but they will always have your good model with them.

Joy -- seek the joy and beauty in all things... where applicable.

Answer 3

My sister has a three-year-old daughter and she lets her play with cars and balls or other boy toys as well as dolls and other girl toys. I was quite impressed coz we were (as I know I was) brought up and held to believe that boys can only play with boy toys and girls can only play with girl toys. I think children are smarter than we give them credit for so I suggest not to lie to the child, just be "honest" about things or any topic that your child will ask. Communication is the key. And perhaps read or research about parenting tips or topics on teaching tolerance of other cultures, religion, sexual orientation, etc. in the bookstore or library... There are alot of essential information out there even on the internet so good luck and best wishes. ;o)

Answer 4

As we flow in the course of an a growing to be variety of interconnected society, our interactions with human beings from interior of India & with those of diverse cultures the international over is growing to be. even as buzzwords jointly with international village & information society are always used in promotion, we are hardly open to a deferential attractiveness of our ameliorations. Alarmingly there is an advance in xenophobic attitudes and favoritism in the course of certain sections of society, depending both on race, skin colour or caste. There are extremely some shameful cases the position Indians have exhibited racism. Racial slurs are used extremely overtly in the course of human beings of diverse areas & religions. when we are on the receiving end, we denounce racism and rightfully so, yet, are not we to blame of a double known even as there is take position racism in our personal usa? India has lengthy been a melting pot of cultures, languages, ethnicities and that has been her proudest custom. How do we go beyond above petty racism to include all humanity as one with ourselves?

Answer 5

Dear Friend, your respondent mithril is ''right-on.'' I could never answer this question as well as she has. On Current TV website there is an on-going video contest for $100,000 for the best video on ''How to promote Tolerance." Perhaps you could receive alot of input by watching the entries as they are submitted. Happy answer hunting.
e-mail: [e-mail]

Answer 6

Children live what they learn. Be honest, open and loving to all, and your child will display the same qualities. It's all in the upbringing-what they see, hear, feel and live, is how they will be. You'll be great parents.

Answer 7

You've got this in the queer category, so I assume that's the tolerance to which you refer. First thing you do is burn all the Bibles in the world, then you kill all the people who believe in the Bible, ........ get the idea?

Answer 8

By the way you sound I think this will come natural to you and your spouse. You sound like you are going to be a great mother!

Answer 9

You would need to watch it like a vampire trying to suck the blood out of their bodies..remember HATE can only get in if you invite it in.Keep it out of their life as well as your own...be vigilant..

Answer 10

every body strap on a six shooter because a armed society is a polite society