Parental responsibility
- Thread starter Pete
- Start date
I took the kids to D.C. to check out some museums this weekend.
kwillia
n/a
The natural history museum had various displays regarding different cultures from around the world. He had zero interest in looking at those exhibits, hearing the various music samplings, or understanding how they differed from our culture. When my sis questioned him about why he was in such a hurry to get through the exhibits, he said if they can't speak, sing or dress like Americans, he didn't care about them. That's when it hit me. It's us against "them". His tunnel vision is a learned thing.Pete said:
Pete
Repete
It of course could be you just don't understand the mind of a prepubescent boy.kwillia said:The natural history museum had various displays regarding different cultures from around the world. He had zero interest in looking at those exhibits, hearing the various music samplings, or understanding how they differed from our culture. When my sis questioned him about why he was in such a hurry to get through the exhibits, he said if they can't speak, sing or dress like Americans, he didn't care about them. That's when it hit me. It's us against "them". His tunnel vision is a learned thing.
Are you more worried about him embracing "diversity" or getting a gold star on the parent progress chart?
W
Wenchy
Guest
kwillia said:I had a profound eye opening experience this weekend... It seems I've managed to raise my son without prejudices in regards to folks and the various colors of their skin. However, he has no tolerance for other cultures. He is really put out by languages other than English. He does not tolerate music that varies from what he deems to be American. He does not appreciate clothing that strays from the American norm either. As I began to ponder this epiphany and wonder how it could of happened, I realized that my kids are being raised in an "us against them" society. It is us against the foreign terrorists. It is us against the illegal immigrants. I need to figure out how to broaden his horizons.
The Stop and Shop convenience store where we live is run by Muslims. My children have been brought up with that all of their lives, and I don't think you would find a prejudiced bone in their body. There have been several families that have moved through that store. They give my children gifts, have shared their food, and they are friends. They also know that they can count on us.
I did travel as a child, and I like so many different kinds of food. Whenever something new ( ethnic) opens up here, I have to go, and I take the kids. They will not get the same experience I did as a child, but I want them to understand all of the different people we have in this world, even if on a food level.
However, if they see people on the side of the road begging, and I give them a dollar, they question me about why I would do that. It's simple. I have a dollar, and they either do or don't. It's not hurting me in any way to give them that dollar. They also know (my children) that they would never want to be the recipient of that money.
It's all about compassion, and teaching your children values.
kwillia
n/a
I hear you... my son has been raised to respect others and he is very compassionate. That's why I was so shocked to realize that he didn't have a "natural" tolerance of the culture of other countries. It wasn't until I saw it first hand that it dawned on me that he is surrounded by the "us against them" mentality and that is what he considers to be the norm. I'm not going to make a big deal about it. But I would like to find ways to introduce him to things that aren't "Americanized" so that he broadens his horizons.Wenchy said:
W
Wenchy
Guest
kwillia said:
I hear you loud and clear.
I prefer places that are not "Americanized".
Do you like Emily's? There is a woman who is Korean, and she specializes in Phillipine food. The cross segment of the society I saw cross through there was diverse, to say the least. We were all there for the food, and there were smiles all around (even when the cell phones rang...it was a "quickie")
It was about respect.
People sat patiently as they waited for their food. We had ours, and just watched what was going on around us. The children see this.
I do believe if one of my kids started stereotyping because of race or religion, that I would just about knock their heads off their necks.
Politics? My daughter has her own opinions there, and that is fine.
Wait! I thought we were talking about sunscreen?
I think anyone who doesn't already have one of these is an unfit parent.ocean733 said:
What a fascinating cultural experience for a young boy. There must be something wrong with him that he didn't absolutely fall in love with African dance and the music of the Far East.kwillia said:
My kids are multi-cultural too! 
They'll eat from the China buffet, Taco Bell and Guido's. Their clothes are made in Mexico, Bangladesh, and Korea. One has purchased a Sony TV & Playstation. Another drives a Toyota. They use the internet to swap game codes with people all over the world. Life doesn't get much better than that.
They'll eat from the China buffet, Taco Bell and Guido's. Their clothes are made in Mexico, Bangladesh, and Korea. One has purchased a Sony TV & Playstation. Another drives a Toyota. They use the internet to swap game codes with people all over the world. Life doesn't get much better than that.
kwillia
n/a
Well dang, Sharon! My boy IS multi-cultured after all...Sharon said:My kids are multi-cultural too!
They'll eat from the China buffet, Taco Bell and Guido's. Their clothes are made in Mexico, Bangladesh, and Korea. One has purchased a Sony TV & Playstation. Another drives a Toyota. They use the internet to swap game codes with people all over the world. Life doesn't get much better than that.
kwillia
n/a
I could see me now taking my son to a Japenese, Chinese, Phillipino, Korean or even Mexican resteraunt and telling him that's what we are having for dinner...
I have another confession... I, kwillia, do not give money to street people. I point at them and explain to my kids that those people made bad choices in life and that sometimes is the end result. I then give them the "don't be a enabler" lecture as a follow up...
I have another confession... I, kwillia, do not give money to street people. I point at them and explain to my kids that those people made bad choices in life and that sometimes is the end result. I then give them the "don't be a enabler" lecture as a follow up...
kwillia
n/a
The way I see it, if one ends up homeless then one managed to do something that messed up their support system... friends, family, etc. Most homeless have turned to substance abuse as their way of life and live on the streets as a result. Then there are the ones that are mentally unbalanced but won't allow themselves to be helped. Again... though they aren't of sound mind, that is a choice they've made and since this is America, we can't force them to chose differently.mainman said:Being homeless is not always the result of making a bad choice is it?
cattitude
My Sweetest Boy
kwillia said:The way I see it, if one ends up homeless then one managed to do something that messed up their support system... friends, family, etc. Most homeless have turned to substance abuse as their way of life and live on the streets as a result. Then there are the ones that are mentally unbalanced but won't allow themselves to be helped. Again... though they aren't of sound mind, that is a choice they've made and since this is America, we can't force them to chose differently.
You need to spend a day in DC with me. The great majority of the homeless are mentally ill but they don't see it that way. The haven't messed up their support system, they don't know they need help.