It’s not enough anymore to just tell kids to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
As our world becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, more specific parenting guidance is needed. Knowing how to explain transgender with simple words to a nine-year-old didn’t used to be a thing. Clarifying the plight of indigenous people wasn’t an essential part of a parent’s skill set.
Until now.
If we want to raise humans who are genuinely compassionate, accepting, and socially conscious, we must delve deeper into the nuances of diversity and inclusion and pass that deeper understanding onto the next generation.
Here’s Where the Golden Rule Falls Short
Despite its good intentions, the golden rule can be limiting. It suggests that everyone is the same in terms of needs, values, and experiences. In reality, diversity includes a wide range of characteristics, including sexual orientation, gender, race, ethnicity, financial background, and physical & mental ability.
Here’s an example from the perspective of a child who loves playing tag. Imagine that a child named Sally invites her classmate, Ben, to join her in a game of tag. Sally doesn’t comprehend that Ben is uncomfortable with physical contact. Even though Sally is trying to be considerate by involving Ben, she’s not taking into account his differences.
This example perfectly illustrates that it’s not always possible to treat people how you would like to be treated. We need to teach kids how to view their world from a variety of perspectives so they can genuinely comprehend and appreciate others.
This doesn’t mean Sally needs to understand the neurodiversity complexities behind Ben’s fear of physical touch. A simple explanation is plenty. All she needs to hear is “everyone’s brain works differently and Ben’s brain is telling him that physical contact with other people isn’t safe.”
How Should We Move Forward?
The first step to introducing diversity and inclusion into a child’s life is at home. Children are heavily influenced by teachers and peers―that’s true. But the most lasting values are most often taught at home.
That’s why parents have a golden opportunity to foster open discussions and household routines that communicate the basics of social justice. Children are growing up in a ‘super-diverse world’ and it’s the responsibility of parents to help them grow successfully into a society that embraces diversity and inclusion.
Consider this. Imagine you know an eight-year-old who’ll be entering the workforce in 15 years (give or take). Odds are they’ll be interviewing for a job with someone from Generation Z who’ll be between 30 and 42 at that point.
That enlightened Gen Z’er will most likely give the job to a candidate with an established progressive mindset. Hopefully it’s the (grown) eight-year-old you know.
The truth is that preparing the next generation to thrive in a more equitable future is essential. Raising kids who can grow successfully into a diverse and inclusive society is becoming one of the more significant parenting duties.
Where Does Homeschooling Fit In?
Homeschooling provides a unique opportunity to fully incorporate diversity and inclusion into a child’s education. With complete control over curriculum lessons and supplemental material, parents can design their child’s education to align with their own beliefs.
This flexibility can promote empathy and understanding by enabling a deeper exploration into cultural traditions, histories, and current events.
Additionally, by deliberately seeking out diverse groups, engaging in cultural activities, and forming friendships with individuals from a range of backgrounds, homeschooling families can provide their children with first-hand exposure to diversity and inclusion.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, the goal is to raise children whose awareness of diversity PROGRESSIVELY stretches beyond the golden rule.
There’s no doubt that as society (hopefully) evolves, our understanding of diversity and inclusion will evolve too. By continuously educating ourselves and our children with principles that align with society’s needs, we can pursue a future where upcoming generations are equipped to thrive in a more just and equitable world.
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This article was originally published on https://www.deiforparents.com.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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From The Good Men Project on Medium
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