"You want to rid the world of hate? Then don't pass it on to your children. Hate is something they shouldn't inherit."
– John Stamos, ER

Did You Know...

·	Prejudice is an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.
·	Although children are not born prejudiced, they often learn to hate before they are old enough to understand why.
·	33% of all known hate crime offenders are under 18.

About Prejudice...

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Educators, parents and caregivers can teach children to celebrate the richness and beauty of our multicultural society by creating environments of respect at home and school. Everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from opportunities to learn about and interact with individuals who have diverse cultures, histories and experiences. Through the education of our youth and the creation of spaces for discourse and discussion, we can transform our communities into respectful and caring places free from hate.

What You Can Do...

·	Accept each of your children as unique and special. Children who feel good about themselves are less likely to be prejudiced. Also, notice unique qualities in other people and discuss them with your children.
·	Help your children become sensitive to other people's feelings. When personal conflicts occur, encourage your children to try to think about how the other person is feeling.
·	Make sure your children understand that prejudice and discrimination are unfair. Make it a firm rule that no person should be excluded or teased on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, accent, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or appearance.
·	Provide your child with opportunities for interaction with people of diverse groups. Have a neighborhood barbecue, go to an ethnic restaurant, or encourage your child to take part in school activities that include diverse student groups.
·	Set a good example. Children are great imitators. Don't pass along hate or prejudice through your own words or behavior.
·	Take appropriate action against prejudice and hate. If another person uses bigoted language or acts in a prejudiced manner in front of your child, don't ignore it. Say something like "Please don't use such language in front of me and my child" or "That kind of joke offends me." Your children need to know that such behavior is unacceptable even if it comes from someone they know.

For More Information...

·	Anti-Defamation League 1-877-260-7ADL www.adl.org
·	Anti-Defamation League's "What to Tell Your Child About Prejudice and Discrimination"