Parenting for character: Value: Equality

“No two leaves are alike. And yet there is no opposition between them of between branches on which they grow” - Gandhiji

Equality is the ability to treat everyone fairly and respecting one’s civil rights, freedom of speech, and belief in equal opportunities for all. One should face no discrimination on the basis of any aspect of their identity such as sex, race, age, caste or class, financial status, language, religion, opinions, or disability. It is one of the most important values that a child can inculcate. If every parent instils this quality in their children dutifully, the world will be a better place. Parenting is an inside job, for that we have to calm our chattering mind and connect with deep wisdom within to differentiate what is right and wrong.

“What person becomes is the reflection of whole society!”

• Equally shared Parenting
  Equally shared parenting means: The purposeful practice of two parents sharing equally in the domains of child raising, house-work, breadwinning and time for self too.

  Equal sharing is as strong as ever as the foundation of our relationship and our family. It’s all about sharing the Joy and the Burden in parenting.

  Working toward equal parenting in each domain leads at first to small changes in happiness.  But, when both parents are fully competent in all four domains, an exponential change is possible.  Suddenly, life is fun whether you are at work, changing a diaper, snuggling with your pre-schooler, trying to get fit, or helping in house-chores.  You and your spouse are a true team.  You are both leading lives in balance.

Everything is about Equality! Parents are the builder of nation.

Equality in what we talk and what we does. Let your children experience first-hand how different people are treated in the same way. Expose your children to the practice of treating everyone equally. Do not restrict them from interacting with anyone, especially when involved in group activities like playing. Parents must never discriminate a child’s play mates irrespective of their race, religion, or wealth. Doing so will unknowingly plant a seed of discrimination in your child’s brain. First and prime role of parent is to teach gender- equality.

• Teach them no one is special:
  Teach your son, being male is not a privilege. It is just as good as being any child, boy or girl. Every child will get everything in balanced manner. No one owns the world just because of their gender.

• Boys do cook:
  Indian parents doesn’t believe in this concept but with changing time we need to change our teachings too. Most of the boys says that “cooking is mama’s job, as she is a girl and girls are meant to be in the kitchen.” As a pro-active parent teach them “anyone who gets hungry, should know how to cook.” Hunger does not discriminate based on gender.

• No one is superior:
  Make it a point to teach your child about different races and kinds of people living in this world by taking them to different neighbourhoods or showing them pictures and videos of children belonging to different races and religions playing together and getting along. Educate them about their contribution to the world. The kids must learn that everyone is beautiful in their own way and no race is superior to any other. Try to inculcate more diversity in your own life by taking your children to attend multicultural events where you can meet different kinds of people.
  To teach your child effective social skills, make it a point to take your child to marketplaces, or shopping for groceries. Irrespective of who you meet, develop a habit to greet everyone and interact nicely with them, especially the people who are working for you, be it your Maid, Babysitter, Gardner, Grocery vendor or a Security guard. Teach them to be kind, give compliments, and be empathetic as well as be non-judgmental. It must be made sufficiently clear to your child that they must treat everyone equally. As parents, refrain from asking anyone their caste, creed or ethnicity in front of your child, and if you come to know such details about anyone, do not react. Remember that your children are continuously watching and adapting from your behaviours. Thus, the best way to teach them about equality would be to accept and celebrate the differences.

• Right to know rights to promote equality:
  Educate your child about the rights of the poor people and animals and the fact that the world is theirs too. Children must be routinely exposed to events of organisations that advocate conservation of endangered species or an NGO that promotes affordable health care. Find out about the causes your children care about and support them for it.

• Build child’s self-esteem:
  It is important that parents concentrate efforts to make their children individuals with high self-esteem and sense of worth. Self-confident individuals are likelier to accept others as they are, and often believe in themselves and stand up for what they believe is right.

Not everyone is created equally. While some are born rich, there are others who are born in poverty. Further, there are individuals that suffer from disabilities. It is important that children understand that all of them are treated equally!

Most of the time it is believed that Father is for income and Mother is for care and if either of them leaves, dies family will not function as it supposed to be. If we work on Equal sharing parenting then there will be lower rate of child- poverty, great family stability, rise in fertility, less crime, and richer community life.

"By raising kids who value equality, you are investing in a better future for everyone."