Do you teach your children to hate those that you hate?

Question

Like a neighbor that you really detest. Do you tell your children to stay away from theirs, or do you feel its best to keep the children out of it?

Im just trying to decifer between the citizens of The U.S. and those of the middle east.

Answer 1

No, I find it hard but, I do hold my tongue when it comes to that. I don't want my kids growing up with any pre-programmed prejudices. I try to let them sort out their own feelings. I might express my opinion about something but I let them know that it's ok for them to disagree with me.

Answer 2

We taught our children the exact opposite and we also taught them critical thinking. If there was a neighbor we didn't care for of course our children knew it. But there wasn't any "don't play with their kids" or "stay out of their house" going on. As long as they weren't considered dangerous of course, that goes without saying. Kids absorb everything their parents do and say in front of them. So if Dad is sitting in front of the television watching a story about gay rights and he's calling them names and saying they're sick the kids are going to absorb that, whether Dad deliberately teaches his kids his views or not. It's almost impossible not to transfer prejudices and hate to children when they exist in the parent's heart and mind. The same goes for positive views of the world and respect for other people. Children learn what they observe and hear, as well as what they are deliberately taught. They recognize hypocrisy but they generally accept their parent's attitudes, at least until they are old enough to start rebelling.

Answer 3

It's not always easy, but I bite my tongue in front of my children when it comes to my personal feelings about someone or something. I do however tell them to directly steer clear of people with certain bad habits such as drug use, drinking, and sex offenders...but I feel that is necessary for their protection....but, just because I dislike someone or their personal beliefs isn't reason enough for me to tell my children stay away from anyone....as for interaction amongst children, I feel that no matter what the adults do, it is not at the fault of a child and the children should not have to pay for the mistakes the adults make.

Answer 4

No, I don't teach my child to hate. I don't teach him intolerance. He's been asking lately, "What color am I?"
I tell him, "Human".
I try not to hate anyone, but if I dislike someone, I let my very free willed child make his own decisions about people. I usually am the one who is listening to his opinions.
The world as a whole is way too intolerant. We are all human. We all bear the same emotions. I think that it is important to teach each and every child this and try to teach what we all have in common. Instead of what makes us all different.

Answer 5

Like others have already stated. I teach my children not to hate. However, I've been blessed w/a very good sense of discernment. If someone has raised a "red flag", I would definitely make my children aware of my concerns (within reason) & caution them to stay away. I do also teach them not limit our prayers to our friends!!!! We pray for all!!!!

Answer 6

I don't care what an adult has done to me, it is not their children's fault. If they start having their children be ugly to my children, then yes, I do have my children stay away. But if the children can get along and be nice, I leave the children out of it. Kids should not have to suffer for their parents ill behaviors.

Answer 7

Never! I go out of my way to teach my children how destructive hate really is. I teach acceptance, forgiveness, love, tolerance, empathy, sympathy, pity ... and I am a proud American citizen and a proud registered Republican!

Answer 8

Sadly it is that is the case for the most part. I wish it were different but a lot of people do this. Better yet, why don't we teach our children to love all people, regardless of race?

Answer 9

I don't think it is necessary to teach hate. People find that out all by themselves. To answer your question, no, I never taught my kids to hate anyone. They played with other kids of all races and creeds. They were only warned away from the trouble making kids. (In our neighborhood, most of the troublemakers were the same creed and color we were.)

If you are talking about racism, bigotry or prejudice that is always inappropriate to teach anyone, especially kids. To our family those things are considered un-American.

And I am a republican!


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Answer 10

my kids know the difference between right and wrong, good and bad.

America is such a diverse place, teaching children to hate ANYONE for any reason is an act of abject futility.