Teaching Tolerance [Hardcover]

Sarah Bullard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1996

Crimes of violence committed by children against children are on the rise. In this groundbreaking and unique book, author Sara Bullard, director of Teaching Tolerance, a division of the Southern Poverty Law Center, shows that once a parent is aware of the attitudes they were raised with, it will be easier for them to teach their children true tolerance toward others. In Teaching Tolerance, she offers a prescriptive guide for parents to examine their own beliefs and hope to instill open-mindedness in their children.



Teaching Tolerance begins by focusing on the humanness of intolerance--no one is truly exempt from the habit of judging others. Bullard outlines the work required to alter these intolerant instincts. Throughout the book, readers find encouragement for private journal writing that will help clarify their own history of tolerance and intolerance, as well as suggestions for activities that can be undertaken as a family. The latter half of the book discusses children's particular needs for security, self-expression, and moral guidance that, if respectfully met by their parents, will free them to be comfortable both with themselves and with people of different backgrounds. Appendices include a list of organizations promoting tolerance and places parents can write to for books, music, toys, and games that will reinforce the ideas found in the book.



Teaching Tolerance is a timely, thoughtful, exemplary guide to fostering the open-minded attitudes necessary for survival in today's world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Tolerance begins at home, asserts Bullard, director of the Teaching Tolerance project sponsored by the Southern Poverty Law Center and editor of its magazine for educators. We are all born with the capacity for tolerance and intolerance, Bullard maintains, and many of our natural traits?such as drawing quick conclusions, ranking people and things, conforming, preferring the familiar?can lead to intolerance. By far the most important indicator of intolerance is how a child is treated within a family. The child who is denied love, or raised in an atmosphere that is harsh or threatening, will become frustrated and angry; low self-esteem and a propensity for prejudice are then more likely to follow. Firm, calm, consistent parenting, Bullard writes, allows children to develop the curiosity, creativity and appreciation for the mysteries of life that are characteristics of the tolerant individual. Bullard enlivens her work with quotes and anecdotes from such figures as Maya Angelou and Martin Luther King Jr., and she concludes each chapter with questions and suggestions for journal writing to help parents further explore their own attitudes. Also included is an extensive list of books, toys, games and music that explore ethnicity and promote tolerance. More thought-provoking than prescriptive, Bullard's reasoned and persuasive essay offers convincing inspiration for parents to serve as open-minded models for their children. (Sept.) Parenting
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Bullard, director of Teaching Tolerance, the education division of the Southern Poverty Law Center, has written a powerful book for parents, educators, and anyone else who seeks to understand his or her own attitudes toward others. She studies the roots of our intolerance, which she sees as rising from our natural self-centeredness and our learning to cope with others. Each chapter includes suggestions for activities and journal entries in which readers can identify their own biases and understand their own behavior. Bullard explicitly states the principles of tolerance adults need to impart to children and provides guidelines for modeling the behavior we want to encourage. A list of resources can be found in the appendix. This superb book is recommended for all libraries.?Kay Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills, Md.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 235 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1 edition (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385472641
• ISBN-13: 978-0385472647
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,657,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, September 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Teaching Tolerance (Paperback)

Well written and considered. A must for anyone with children wishing to raise them with love, tolerance and respect. It's one of the most important books I have read.