Teaching your Kids about Stereotypes
1. Pick shows with diversity and characters who “break the mold”
-Is there an even amount of men and women on the show?
-Are the villains foreign?
2.Be open and honest about differences that children see in others
-Cultures, ethnicities, religions, genders, etc.
3.Acknowledge other races, cultures, and sexes accomplishments
4.Teach HOW to think, not WHAT to think
5. Explore your own biases.
-Promote further discussion and thinking after watching a show
-Is there an even amount of men and women on the show?
-Are the villains foreign?
2.Be open and honest about differences that children see in others
-Cultures, ethnicities, religions, genders, etc.
3.Acknowledge other races, cultures, and sexes accomplishments
4.Teach HOW to think, not WHAT to think
5. Explore your own biases.
-Promote further discussion and thinking after watching a show
7 ways to Fight Stereotypes
1.Talk to your child about multiple cultures.
-Are some cultures made out to be dumb? Unimportant? Aggressive?
-What does this reveal about our attitudes toward a given culture?
2.Help your child identify gender stereotypes in media.
-What does it mean to "act like a man?" To "behave like a lady?"
-Who makes these decisions in each program? How do you think they
make them?
3.Keep an eye out for stereotypes about age.
-Use TV and movie characters to help your child see that not only the young are
capable and not only the old are wise.
-Teach your child that elderly people are not always feeble or easily duped.
4.Talk to your child about how he sees himself.
-Talk to him/her about the difference between feeling good and about feeling superior to others.
-Encourage him/her to express their individuality.
5.Introduce your child to story characters — and real people — who take part in all kinds of activities.
6.Teach your child that images of beauty are often illusions.
-Celebrities have hair stylists, make-up artists, clothing designers and personal trainers to make them look like a star.
-Break the spell of TV shows and advertising by suggesting what goes on behind the scenes and in editing.
7.Speak out against stereotypes or absences in the media.
-Point out negative portrayals based on race, gender or ability,
-Teach your child not to accept inequity
-Point out when representations of certain cultures or people are missing.
-Are some cultures made out to be dumb? Unimportant? Aggressive?
-What does this reveal about our attitudes toward a given culture?
2.Help your child identify gender stereotypes in media.
-What does it mean to "act like a man?" To "behave like a lady?"
-Who makes these decisions in each program? How do you think they
make them?
3.Keep an eye out for stereotypes about age.
-Use TV and movie characters to help your child see that not only the young are
capable and not only the old are wise.
-Teach your child that elderly people are not always feeble or easily duped.
4.Talk to your child about how he sees himself.
-Talk to him/her about the difference between feeling good and about feeling superior to others.
-Encourage him/her to express their individuality.
5.Introduce your child to story characters — and real people — who take part in all kinds of activities.
6.Teach your child that images of beauty are often illusions.
-Celebrities have hair stylists, make-up artists, clothing designers and personal trainers to make them look like a star.
-Break the spell of TV shows and advertising by suggesting what goes on behind the scenes and in editing.
7.Speak out against stereotypes or absences in the media.
-Point out negative portrayals based on race, gender or ability,
-Teach your child not to accept inequity
-Point out when representations of certain cultures or people are missing.