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If we want to teach our teenagers to treat others
with respect for their human dignity, our actions
need to be consistent with our words. In Building
Moral Intelligence (Jossey-Bass), Michele Borba
offers parents these ideas for modeling and nurturing
respectful behavior.
Confront your own prejudices.
None of us are completely free from stereotyping
others, but often the behavior is so deep-seated
that we don't see it. Begin by reflecting on
the prejudices you were exposed to as a child.
Do any of these remain with you today? How might
you be projecting this to your teenagers? (For
an online test, go to www.tolerance.org, and
click on "hidden biases.")
Refuse to allow discriminatory comments in
your presence.
How you respond to prejudicial comments or
jokes sends a clear message about your values.
Expressing discomfort toward these comments
offers teenagers a model response for times
when they may hear such remarks.
Live your life as an example of loving others.
The best way for your teenagers to learn respectful
behavior is to watch how you treat others.
If your teenager had only your behavior to
copy, would this be the example you'd want
her to emulate?
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