By: Dr. Shweta Verma
We hope that our children would ‘shine’ and learn the values that we are proud of. Helping children learn to respect others as well as themselves is one of the important things for many. This ‘respect’ is, however, is directly connected with respect for human differences, i.e. human diversity.
For many, human diversity is understandable in some aspects only, such as in terms of gender, age, religion, caste, ethnicity, skin color, and so on. Even in these aspects, many of us may find it hard to move towards ‘acceptance’ of diversity.
Where do you stand in this process of acceptance of human diversity? Read on and check!
Stage 1: Denial of diversity
Here, we believe that everyone should be like us. We feel most comfortable only with those who are very similar to us, whether in caste, religion, age, etc. We avoid being around those whom we consider ‘different’ and may even feel scared in their company. We continue to carry our opinions about others and may not engage in a logical fact-finding to challenge our opinions.
Stage 2: Acknowledgement
Here, we begin to acknowledge the fact that everyone cannot be same or exactly like us. We are different from each other. This acknowledgement, however, does not convert our fears and avoidance into friendships with ‘others’. We continue to have strong preferences for ‘people like us’ when it comes to renting our flats or homes, or accepting choice of spouse/partner of a family member, especially of female members.
Stage 3: Logical acceptance
Here, in our conversations, especially in public, we acknowledge that people can be of different kinds. We have no evident fear or problem in sharing spaces with different people in our workplaces, schools, colleges, and other groups. However, sharing family, as well as work space with ‘others’, is challenging as we continue to expect behaviours that are ‘more acceptable’ to us. This may become even more evident in the way we would communicate on dos and don’ts with children in our family. We may impose certain behaviours on children because we expect them to learn ‘our culture’ while rejecting behaviours from other cultures.
Further, only certain kinds of diversities are acceptable to us. For example, disability as part of human diversity may sound ‘nice’ but confusing as we continue to be fixated on what different people can do and cannot do, or what different people could be ‘allowed’ to do.
We may have several questions and doubts about those who are different from us. But often, we may not feel comfortable asking questions. We may, however, try to find answers instead of getting stuck with our opinions. In addition to this, some of our questions and statements (e.g. you are not a typical Hindu; you don’t look like a Muslim; you don’t seem disabled at all!) may arise from our comfort in having people similar to us around ourselves.
Stage 4: Acceptance
Here, we would have moved past our fixations, hidden doubts, and incomplete information levels and accepted the fact that everyone is different from each other. There is no place for fear and avoidance from people who represent various aspects of human diversity. Differences are not ridiculed and therefore, those who may be different are not made fun of.
Everyone is not expected to be the same, like the products from a factory. Imperfections and differences are part of being human. And this message is conveyed through our conversation with children as well when we try to correct their mistakes; or tell them that everyone does not have 10 fingers, two arms, two legs, and two eyes; or that everyone does not greet the same way across the world; or that everyone does not like loud sounds; and so on.
Reflect on where you are! And help build a world where nobody is treated as the odd-one-out!
Ginny’s Planet spreads empathy & respect for human diversity through workshops, dolls, stories, and games. Write to us to know more: contact@ginnysplanet.com
About Ginny’s Planet:
Ginny’s Planet is a social enterprise Co-founded by Dr. Shweta Verma in 2019. The brand runs on the core value of helping our teachers and parents to teach their children to become independent, smart and better leaders by equipping them with a deep understanding of empathy, diversity, disability and inclusion. Dr. Shweta and the team design events, workshops and products to help guardians & schools to develop kids’ mindset and evolve as adaptive and flexible human beings. They work with schools to organise workshops for children and teachers.
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