The above links will open a new browser window to an external site. They also highlight preventing the development of prejudice, stereotyping and bigotry in our children. Parents can play a vital role in this effort. First of all, parents can engage children in conversations about the meaning of these ideas.
Parents can point out how prejudice can lead to missed opportunities.
The way in which parents talk to each other, to children, and about others in terms of word choice, tone, facial expression and other nonverbal expressions can be respectful or demeaning. Even at very young ages, children absorb the overt and covert messages adults convey. We model respect and disrespect, tolerance and intolerance, and prejudice in subtle and extreme ways on a daily basis. Avoid using derogatory idioms and expressions that have crept into our language and serve to degrade or demean categories of people. Talk about the value of diversity in terms of genetics, biology or culture.