Teaching Your Child Tolerance

America - the great "melting pot" - has always been a rich blend of cultural traditions from all over the world. Many American families can trace their histories to immigrant ancestors who traveled great distances, enduring risk and hardship, to make a home where they would be guaranteed basic freedoms. And for many American families these freedoms came with a struggle. Their parents and grandparents were deprived the basic rights we value.
American society was founded on freedom from religious persecution and on tolerance of differences in beliefs and cultural heritage. The differences (or diversity) that come from people from all over the world enrich our culture, bringing new ideas and energy. Today, more than ever, children have opportunities to interact with people of differing ethnicities, religions, and cultures. Classrooms are increasingly diverse, reflecting the communities where families live and work.
A World of Difference Some parents welcome the fact that we live in an increasingly diverse society. Others may feel more hesitant, especially if they have not had much exposure to people different from themselves. Many children are way ahead of their parents in terms of exposure to cultural differences. Their circle of friends, their schoolmates, and their athletic teams are much more varied than those of even a generation ago.
Why is it important for parents to help their children prepare to live, learn, and work in communities that will become even more diverse? Teaching tolerance is important not just because it is part of our American heritage but because the person who learns to be open to differences will have more opportunity - in education, in business, and in so many other ways.
In short, your child's success depends on it. Success in today's world - and tomorrow's - depends on being able to understand, appreciate, and work with others.
What Is Tolerance? Tolerance refers to an attitude of openness and respect for the differences that exist among people. Although originally used to refer to ethnic and religious differences, the concepts of diversity and tolerance can also be applied to gender, people with physical and intellectual disabilities, and other differences, too.
Tolerance means respecting and learning from others, valuing differences, bridging cultural gaps, rejecting unfair stereotypes, discovering common ground, and creating new bonds. Tolerance, in many ways, is the opposite of prejudice.
But does tolerance mean that all behaviors have to be accepted? No, of course not. Behaviors that disrespect or hurt others, like being mean or bullying, or behaviors that break social rules, like lying or stealing, should not be tolerated. Tolerance is about accepting people for who they are - not about accepting bad behavior. Tolerance also means treating others the way you would like to be treated.
How Is Tolerance Taught?Like all attitudes, tolerance is often taught in subtle ways. Even before they can speak, children closely watch - and imitate - their parents. Children of all ages develop their own values, in great part, by mirroring the values and attitudes of those they care about.
Many parents live and work in diverse communities and have friends who are different from themselves in some (or in many) ways. Parents' attitudes about respecting others are often so much a part of them that they rarely even think about it. They teach those attitudes simply by being themselves and living their values. Parents who demonstrate (or model) tolerance in their everyday lives send a powerful message. As a result, their children learn to appreciate differences, too.
Of course, celebrating differences of others doesn't mean giving up your own heritage. Your family may have its own long-standing cultural and religious traditions that are something to be proud of. Families can find ways to celebrate differences of others while continuing to honor and pass down their own cultural heritage.
What Can Parents Do to Help Children Learn Tolerance?
Parents can teach tolerance by example - and in other ways, too. Talking together about tolerance and respect helps children learn more about the values you want them to have. Giving children opportunities to play and work with others is important as well. This lets children learn firsthand that everyone has something to contribute and to experience differences and similarities. Here are some things parents can do to help children learn tolerance:
Notice your own attitudes. Parents who want to help their children value diversity can be sensitive to cultural stereotypes they may have learned and make an effort to correct them. Demonstrate an attitude of respect for others.
Remember that children are always listening. Be aware of the way you talk about people who are different from yourself. Do not make jokes that perpetuate stereotypes. Although some of these may seem to be harmless fun, they can undo attitudes of tolerance and respect.
Select books, toys, music, art, and videos carefully. Keep in mind the powerful effect that media have on shaping attitudes. more...

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