As a parent I feel like it is my responsibility to protect and educate my child. In today's world that is becoming more and more dificult. After an unpleasant experience today it dawned on me that I will have to face the fact that I will have to tell my little girls that someone doesn't like them because of things they cannot change, like their race or their sex. I always felt like what I can't protect them from I can educate them so the world won't be so scarry, but for once I don't know how to begin to try to explain...why? Do you have any suggestions or examples so I can try to prepare myself for this time?
2007-12-23 06:09:49 · 12 answers · asked by luvlife 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adolescent
You should tell them that some people are very judgmental and close minded. There will come a day that someone says something mean or acts badly based solely on the color of their skin. Do your best to teach them tolerance, and to not let anybody ever make them feel badly about themselves or like they are less of person. If a person can't take the time to get to know you before making a decision, then they are not worth knowing at all.
My son has special needs and is getting to the age where others are starting to notice. The best I can do is encourage him to be comfortable in his own skin and have enough self confidence to not take others opinions to heart.
2007-12-23 06:21:58 · answer #1 · answered by Holly 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree that you might scare her if she is little. Also instead of telling them about how people don't like them, when a situation that is offensive arises, talk to them later and tell them how it is not true and tell them the ways you are the same as everyone else. I am sorry that this happens in this day in age. I don't understand how a difference in color of skin or hair or anything really matters.... we are all people! If everyone was the same it would be boring.
ETA - I too grew up in an ethnically diverse community. It mostly consists of Indians and Hispanics but diverse none the less. My best friend in highschool had two adopted siblings, one was black and the other was oriental. No racism here!
2007-12-23 06:27:37 · answer #2 · answered by lovemy2boys&girl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you really living in oblivion, you are worried about your child being insulted because they are black? By the time his friends start making fun of him he will realize.
I don't think its that big of a deal, maybe because I am white and grew up in a ethnic diverse community. I never had a problem, as I'm sure you didn't either. I promise you your child will be the same way and if their is a problem, well your child will learn fast.
2007-12-23 06:25:49 · answer #3 · answered by amstel_light_56 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
explain to them about how people who are small and have low self estem look for any reason to hate other people and blame others for thier own problems. how not everyone are like these people who are pathetic and we should feel sorry for because they are so igorant. let your children know there is nothing wrong with them, how beautiful they are and how they'll be stronger. tell them that they have not done anything wrong!
2007-12-23 06:38:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am so sorry that in this day and age this question still must be answered. i wish i could give more help. just them know the bigots/ racists etc are ignorant, and they are missing out on meeting wonderful people by focusing on the differences and not the similarities. God bless!
2007-12-23 06:18:02 · answer #5 · answered by parental unit 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you can really explain that. I think you should deal with the situations when they occur. She might have friends that are outside of her race and might think that they are going to grow up and dis-like her if you try to explain that now. Some people are just jerks and you have to deal with it when it comes.
2007-12-23 06:19:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
how do you explain to a child that ignorance in the world will never change?
i'm mixed & my mother is german, french [white] & my father, a cajun-frenchmen or creole [black] & you'd think it would be easy..being both sides, but the truth is, i'm judged the most. apparently.. i'm not dark enough to fit in with the blacks. i'm not white enough to hang with the whites. my hair is tooo fine to be considered black.. or it's tooo nappy to be white. its jsut pure ignorance! i remember my mother telling me, "baby, people aren't going to ALWAYS like you because of what you look like, but dont worry about them, just reach for your dreams, because in the end you wont need those people to conquer your heart's desires."
2007-12-23 08:08:21 · answer #7 · answered by brittnee.babyy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
bugsey just sumed it up can't add anymore to that.ya sound like good mum by fact ya ask this question think sometimes ya just have to wing it.accept that there are a'''oles in this world but nice people too.
2007-12-23 06:24:32 · answer #8 · answered by misscacazzy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Great...another person who's going to grow up with a chip on their shoulder. *rolls eyes* People harp on racism/sexism/etc so much, that people grow up automatically hating another group of people just because they've been told all their life that X group of people will hate you 'cause you're black/hispanic/asian/white or whateverthehell. Geez..
>_>
2007-12-23 07:18:30 · answer #9 · answered by shooting_star_burst25 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How old is she? I think talking about things like that too early could leave her scared and afraid to go out of the house .
2007-12-23 06:18:01 · answer #10 · answered by ♫♪Bag♫♪ 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋