by Monty Hamilton

Created on: November 19, 2007

Anti-bias training for children needs to start at home with parents or guardians showing and teaching them anti-bias, but in some cases, parents and guardians need to learn and live the anti-bias lifestyle better themselves, and, therefore, put their children and in turn society in general behind the eight ball when it comes to being less bias.

Who is responsible for giving children the anti-bias training they need? First and foremost, parents and guardians are responsible for giving their children anti-bias training. Beyond that, the burden falls on teachers and other positive role models for children.

What are some of the things children need to learn about anti-bias? Bias equals prejudice. Prejudice equals assumption. Assumption equals assume, and everybody knows what happens when you assume, and if you don't, just know you come off looking bad and causing everyone else involved with whatever assumption you've made to look bad. Bottom line is children have to learn that it is rarely a good idea to judge others, things, or situations before you have a chance to get to know them.

When is a good time to start anti-bias training of children? Anti-bias training must start early. I mean, from the time a child is born they should be flooded with anti-bias influences, put in diverse situations, and taught to be open to and have respect for different ways, things, and people.

If they aren't receiving it at home, where else can children receive anti-bias training? Schools should emphasize anti-bias training as a part of their curriculum. Also, it takes a village to raise a child, so parents shouldn't be the only source of a child's anti-bias training. Other relatives, friends, and positive public role models should also be in on the act.

Why is anti-bias training not happening as much as it should? Bias is a natural thing, and so the motivation to emphasize anti-bias training is not always there. On that same note, bias is not always easily recognized in one's self, and so the less people recognize that bias exists, the less apt they are going to be to initiate or seek out anti-bias training for themselves or their children.

How can we improve anti-bias training of children? First, by each of us recognizing his or her own individual bias. Then, by helping everyone to better recognize and understand bias. Doing those things and raising awareness about bias will increase anti-bias initiatives throughout society, and help to create a more anti-bias environment for children to live in, and really the best way to learn it is to live it.

Like many of life's lessons, anti-bias training for children should start at home, and come from those who should be their best role models, their parents, but since it does not always workout that way, we as a society need to provide children with other avenues to receive anti-bias training, so that they can learn early on that bias is not to be tolerated.

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