May 29, 2015
Prejudicial sensitivity emerges early in childhood, and it can transform into prejudicial behavior before kids graduate from the fourth grade. Unfortunately, parents often have a difficult time talking to their children about people who are different from them, especially when it comes to sexuality.
Today’s link comes from Linda Rodriguez McRobbie, writing for Slate.com, and her adventures as a parent trying to raise kids who are not hateful or homophobic. With some research and guidance from trusted friends in the LGBTQ community, Linda was able to put together a short list of ideas and strategies that might be useful for raising children as empathetic allies.
“…when I had our two boys, I guess I assumed that my convictions would simply seep into their brains by osmosis. Or maybe I thought genetic predisposition would take care of it for me. Or perhaps I thought we’d have more LGTBQ friends and family near us, so that same-sex-headed families would be part of the fabric of my kids’ lives. Or—and this is far more likely—I didn’t think anything at all; I certainly didn’t think I needed to do anything. I was wrong.”
Rodriguez McRobbie’s Slate.com article can be read here.
posted by Corbin Lambeth
Please forgive my oversight. Use of the word “regular” in this context was intended to be connected to the absence of hate and not in the sense of sexual identity. The idea is that, regardless of SLGBTQ status, empathy, acceptance, and friendship should be “normal” or “regular” for all children, rather than fear and hatred. Thank you for your grace.