– Kids- the most liable “society”-
Looking at the children’s innocence, we, as adults, believe that they readily accept the friendship of others, and when they do not, they have a reason. Often the reasons are prejudices that are very common among children, even at an early age.
Things that differentiate us as age, religion, physical appearance, mental abilities, social status or income are perceived by children right from the age of three. As the child grows, can experience prejudice towards these differences, both in school and outside it, came to be an adult with prejudices and stereotypes.
If you go on the street, or in a college/ school and ask teenagers/ students about this phenomena most probably they will start to summary you how they were harassed or disturbed on account of race or ethnicity they belonged to some religion or disability. In these circumstances, the schools and organizations have to begin to take steps in this regard and provide programs to talk about differences, because they found that talking about them, children become more aware of the importance and beauty. In Romania does not exist such a program, but in US, Anytown, seems to aim to promote and create friendly communities and schools where all are welcomed with understanding and respect. I don’t think the society needs a special program in order to fight against discrimination, I think there is enough if children learn how to accept and love themselves in the way they are, accept the people around them even if they see small behavioral, dressing, skin color differences.
Once the difference it feels around a person, discrimination and intolerance enters subtly whether in the youth and those older, so it is very important to understand what the consequences are and fight them. She stresses the importance of respect for those around us, even if they are or behave differently.
Psychologists and experts in the field of child development have studied the phenomenon and the process by which a child comes to reject anyone around him, in other words, to show the first signs of discrimination. They took into account differences in gender, race and ethnicity and found that as early as pre-school, children become aware of belonging to a group distinct from others.
The first differences children perceive are sexual identity, then, preschoolers are differences in skin color, but does not influence very much. In the early years of school, they begin to form stereotypes about race and ethnicity, and later cultural stereotypes. Kids today, with prejudice “innocent” are tomorrow’s adults, with already formed stereotypes that discriminate and treat others with intolerance.
Children are not born with prejudice, but with the desire and ability to interact freely with those around them. Prejudices are taken from friends or even parents. Therefore the latter are those who, through dialogue and example they can educate their children in an environment free from prejudice, discrimination and intolerance.