Comments on: Don’t Teach Children Tolerance for People Who are Different from You

By: Carson Park Ranger

Carson Park Ranger — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:17:14 +0000

"Tolerance is a poor standard. "

This would set a high standard for bumper stickers though.

Thanks for the post.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:35:36 +0000

From your blog to eyes of the ignorant. In other words, great job and I hope people will pay attention!

By: missb

missb — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:52:00 +0000

Thank you! I’m not a parent (but I AM an L&D nurse who also “invented” nitrazine undies in my head! That’s the kind of stuff we think about!) but I grew up in NYC, a place packed to the gills with all sorts of different people and I’ve always loathed the term “tolerance”. Tolerance just isn’t good enough! Tolerance should be at the lowest end of the spectrum with acceptance, love and encouragement at the other end! Good post!

By: ndc

ndc — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 01:45:07 +0000

And another supporter for you here. We’ve done such a good job (pats self on back) that my son reminded me to have more understanding when I was waiting for someone to turn right at a red light. (They never did.) “Perhaps they’re from out of town or another country Mom. It’s no big deal for us to wait a little.” Humility is good in small doses.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:37:49 +0000

I agree with you, and more so the first Goody response of “Who cares!” That’s the attitude I like to take and teach my chidlren. People are people. Period. That’s it! I don’t treat someone different no matter what their sexual orientation, religion, or anything else. People who teach tolerance, in some cases, try to make me guilty of being a straght white woman. I am a human being, as is every other human being in the world You don’t need to tolerate me, nor I you. You need to accept, love, and encourage me; as I do you.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:48:00 +0000

"Tolerance is a poor standard. Would you teach your children to tolerate each other, or accept, love, and encourage each other? "

Never thought of it that way. Great post all around, thanks for writing it.

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:45:05 +0000

As a woman with two mothers and a 3 year old girl with two grandma’s I applaud you!

By: Bev

Bev — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:19:31 +0000

Needless to say, I am sending you a big hug today.

By: Anji Capes

Anji Capes — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:05:23 +0000

I have to stop by and say: I am not deleting your bookmark. Had you been homophobic, I would have done.

On a parenting forum I love, we are currently having this discussion. One woman says that she has no problem with homosexuality for adults, but that she doesn't want her children reading books containing homosexual characters or for them to go to friends' houses should the parents be gay. She thinks it is an inappropriate subject for her children, and honestly doesn't see the homophobia in this. I wanted to scream.