Acceptance. That is why we should be teaching children about other cultures from an early age. Much of the apparent fear and disgusting attitude exhibited by many towards different cultures stems from a lack of knowledge and a fear of the unknown.
With proper education and an understanding of different cultures will come a breakthrough against prejudice. It will evoke empathy for people from different backgrounds, helping to understand what it is that they may be going through – after all, we are all fighting our own battles, even if you cannot see it.
Children are naturally some of the most accepting beings on the planet. It is only how they are taught, both verbally and by seeing the actions of those around them, that forms their understanding of the world. If children are not educated to show tolerance of others, or of cultures outside of their own, they are doomed to repeat the mistakes of generations gone by.
Educational services like KingEssays can play a vital role in promoting understanding and tolerance among children by providing resources and materials that foster open-mindedness and cultural awareness.
Parents or Schools?
Much of the debate centres around who is responsible for teaching children about different cultures – should it come down to the parents or the school? In truth, both are responsible. Children look up to both their parents and teachers as role models, although are by far the bigger of the two as they are constants.
The attitudes that parents display around their children act as an example. Children will not know any different, having been nurtured to believe such idealisms whether or not they are true and/or compatible with society’s way of thinking.
Schools, as a representation of the local community, have a duty to teach children of the different cultures that they are likely to come across. Religious studies and social studies are important parts of the curriculum that, while providing academic value, help to open the eyes of children to a wider world.
Friendships
Making friends is an important life skill that will serve children well long into adult life. Without any ignorance of other cultures, children will be better equipped to form relationships with those from differing backgrounds to themselves. As the world becomes more multi-cultural, this is an important skill to have.
We make friends by asking questions about themselves, and about their culture. For example, someone with a predominantly western upbringing may ask a Muslim can you give interest money to charity in Islam? Learning about other cultures can be the foundation for forming relationships as you develop and understanding of a person’s background, as well as their personality. Breaking down barriers showcases that, through everything, we aren’t all that different after all.
Opportunities
If all children know about the world is what they can see, then they will be less likely to want to venture out into the big wide world and, with that, potentially miss out on fantastic experiences throughout their life. By learning and develop an understanding and awareness of other cultures and countries, as children grow older, they will be far more likely to be able to take opportunities as they come.
These opportunities may be both personal and professional, with prospects of going on holiday, employment and more.
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