| As Eleanor Roosevelt once said,
"Universal human rights begin in small places, close to home." Tolerance org, a
web site from the Southern Poverty Law Center, is helping parents across the
country create homes in which tolerance and understanding are guiding themes.
"Tile goal of nurturing open-minded, empathetic children is a challenging one,"
says Jennifer Holladay, director of Tolerance. org. "To cultivate tolerance,
parents have to instill in children a sense of empathy, respect and
responsibility—to oneself and to others—as well as the recognition that every
person on earth is a treasure." Holladay offers several ways parents can promote
tolerance: Talk about tolerance. Tolerance education is an ongoing process; it cannot be captured in a single moment. Establish a high comfort level for open dialogue about social issues. Let children know that no subject is taboo. Identify intolerance when children are exposed to it. Point out stereotypes and cultural misinformation depicted in movies, TV shows, computer games and other media. Challenge bias when it comes from friends and family members. Do not let the moment pass. Begin with a qualified statement: "Andrew just called people of XYZ faith 'lunatics.' What do you think about that, Zee?" Let children do most of the talking. Challenge intolerance when it comes from your children. When a child says or does something that reflects biases or embraces stereotypes, confront the child: "What makes that joke funny, Jerome?" Guide the conversation toward internalization of empathy and respect—"Mimi uses a walker. honey. How do you think she would feel about that joke?" or "How did you feel when Robbie made fun of your glasses last week?" Support your children when they are the victims of intolerance. Respect children's troubles by acknowledging when they become targets of bias. Don't minimize the experience. Provide emotional support and thee brainstorm constructive responses. For example, develop a set of comebacks m use when children are the victims of name-calling. Create opportunities for children to interact with people who are different from them. Look critically a] how a child defines "normal". Expand the definition. Visit playgrounds where a variety of children are present—people of different races, socioeconomic backgrounds, family structures, etc. Encourage a child to spend time with elders—grandparents, for example. Encourage children to call upon community resources. A child who is concerned about world hunger can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. The earlier children internet with the community, the better. This will help convey the lesson that we are not islands unto ourselves. Model the behavior you would like to see. As a parent and as your child's primary role model, be consistent in how you treat others. Remember, you may say, "Do as I say, not as I do." but actions really do speak louder than words. |