DIVERSITY/ANTI-PREJUDICE

"We come from different backgrounds, from different cultures, and with open minds...we can...come together. Embrace the differences in others." – Ali Larter & Sendhil Ramamurthy, Heroes

What You Should Know...

The United States is often referred to as a "melting pot" due to all the different backgrounds and cultures that make up the American population. By teaching children to embrace the differences between people, parents can help prevent them from supporting prejudicial stereotypes and discriminating against others.

Understanding diversity

Children recognize the differences between people at an early age. They begin to distinguish different skin colors and facial features at six months and start to understand their own individuality. Eighty-five percent of the brain develops between the ages of three and five, while impressions formed during that time are lasting. Their comprehension about themselves and their surroundings is the most formative; children begin to ask questions about their own appearance and seek explanations for differences between people. Parents should respond to these questions with respect and honesty

Parents can also help children understand diversity by exposing them to different kinds of people at an early age. While children need to understand the similarities that bind people together, they also need to learn to embrace differences and view diversity as positive. Choose media and toys that embrace all backgrounds and cultures. These objects can be used to open discussion about differences like race and gender. Some parents assume that their child will catch onto what these differences mean themselves, but engaging children in conversation early may prevent them from forming skewed opinions that may lead to prejudiced views.

Parents should also help their child to have a positive self-image; children with a strong sense of identity are less likely to look down upon others, an attitude that often leads to prejudice. Children that have low self-esteem often put others down in order to raise their own confidence. Teaching children to value the differences between themselves and others will help them learn to appreciate their own qualities as well. Therefore, a child's perception of diversity is not only influenced by how they view others, but also by how they see themselves.

Prejudice

"Silence the voice of hate. Don't spread prejudice to your children." – Jesse Martin, Law & Order

Prejudice is a preconceived idea about people's differences due to race, religion, culture, gender, disabilities, appearance, language, sexual orientation or social status. Children are susceptible to forming prejudicial stereotypes through their observation of others and as they grow older, these conceptions become harder to change. Speaking to children at an early age about accepting diversity helps to prevent negative opinions from forming. Children experience their own incidents and pick up on what others say about different groups, therefore open communication with parents can help them to understand these occurrences and remarks.

Children who have been victims of prejudice are not only affected themselves, but they often react by hurting others. In social settings, children reveal their prejudicial views most often through name-calling and social exclusion. These actions only escalate into more hatred and violence, perpetuating even stronger prejudicial views.

These biases can have adverse effects; prejudicial attitudes contribute to all hate crimes. Hate-motivated events involve hostility against another person or object based on race, religion, disability, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. They do not necessarily involve illegal actions but can also include acts of name-calling and racial slurs. Thirty-three percent of all known hate crime offenders are under the age of 18, therefore it is necessary for both parents and teachers to start educating children about diversity and tolerance at an early age.

Everyone comes from different backgrounds, cultures, and values. By keeping an open mind, we can embrace the differences in ourselves and in others.

What You Can Do...

There are various ways to start conversations with your child about diversity. The more exposure your family has to different kinds of people, the easier it is for your child to explore and embrace the differences between people. Here are some tips on how to pass along messages of tolerance to your family.

Know your roots
Know about your own background and share your pride in it with others.

Share your customs
Invite friends of other backgrounds to share and experience your own traditions.

Say something
Speak out against jokes that target certain groups; silence implies agreement.

Explore
Plan family outings to different neighborhoods in your community and visit local museums and exhibits that celebrate different art forms and cultures. Expose your children to diverse places and people.

Expand your mind
Read and encourage your children to read books that promote different backgrounds. Read stories from various authors and from other countries.

Set a good example
Children are imitators. Don't pass along hate or prejudice through your words or actions.

Educate your children
Teach your children that everyone is unique and to be sensitive to other people's opinions and emotions. Make sure they know that it is wrong to judge a person based on their ethnicity, gender, disability or appearance.

Be aware
Stay alert to signs of withdrawal, lack of interest, acting out, fear of school, or anything that deviates from your child's normal behavior.