Talking to Your Kid About Racism

 Talking to your kid about racism can be challenging. It requires an open and in-depth conversation with them, which some parents refuse to do so. Some parents think that talking to their younger kids about racism and other sensitive topics will just complicate things in their heads. When in reality, it's important for parents to talk to their children about such sensitive issues. It helps shape their mindsets, and their personality reflects through it.

When you expose your child to racism, then there is not a chance of society being a bad influence on them. Once they know the bad and good, they will know how not to let society's negativity affect them. It's crucial to let them know about the racist behavior of society so that they don't fall into the same footsteps.

We have penned down a few ways you can talk to your kid about racism. Go through them and take notes. We as individuals should try to eliminate racism from society even though it seems impossible to do so.

How to talk to your kid about racism?

We understand that talking to your kid about racism is a difficult task because they have too many questions swirling around in their heads, and as a parent, you fear answering them all. Understand that the sooner, the better. Talk to them according to their age; you can't explain in bigger terms to small one of yours.

Talking to your kid under five years

When you are talking to your kid who is under five years, then you should use simpler terms to explain racism to them. Even at the age of five, they start noticing the racist behavior of the society. They see people of a different color, and they may ask you about why some people look different from them? You can tell them how every human being is unique in their own way and show the common things.

Be encouraging. Whenever your child has a question, let them ask. When you are open with your kid, then they will also be open with you. Whenever they point out to someone of different color and ask why they look different, don't quiet them down. Instead, explain it to them.

During the conversation, tell them how unfair racism is. Kids tend to get the concept of fairness well. This way, they will know when someone is being unfair to another person. They will try to make things better for others.

Talking to your 6-11 years children

Younger kids are better at expressing their feelings and are hungry to know all the answers. Having conversations with them is easier. Children under this age are getting exposed to such sensitive topics, but they still are not able to digest them. The first step you can take is to ask them questions and listen to what they say. Such kids get exposed to racism due to schooling or media. Ask them what they have heard at school, ask them if they have seen any unfair behavior by their classmates or teachers. If they have seen anything like that on television.

As a parent, you can keep a close eye on what they are reading on the internet or the type of conversations they are having with others. Once all these things get settled, then talk openly with them. Have deep conversations with them and show them what racism is and how it affects people. Become the trustable source of advice for them so that if they notice anything racist, they come to you for advice. Don't let society shape your child's mindset.

 

Talking to your kid 12+

As a parent, you know that teenagers are better at expressing their feelings and concerns. They also know a lot about the sensitive issues going on in society and may have strong emotions regarding it. As apparent, you should try to get to know how they feel about it and what they know about racism. Talk to them about it openly and provide them a wider perspective of it so that there aren't any confusions left. Encourage them to talk to other people about racism and spread positivity.

 

Know that children follow in their parent's footsteps. So, to bring a change in yourself, you have to change yourself first. As a parent, you should introduce diversity in your circle only that will make your child show diversity as well. Tell them how people from different cultures and races are still human beings just like them. Bring diversity into your homes and see how positively your child responds to it.

Spreading love and positivity is hard in this cruel world, but we can at least try to spread it and erase racism from the world. Start from your home and spread it onwards.