A liberal person believes that the government should take steps to improve the lives of its citizens. As much as you may have your own opinions on certain politicized issues, if you want your child to learn values that are generally liberal, take some time to understand the position of liberal people on political issues. Learn how to help children understand and decide what makes sense to them.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Instilling Core Values
Step 1. Teach about the autonomy of the body
It is important that your child understands that he has control over his body and that he does not have to hug, kiss, touch or be touched if he does not want to. Liberal people believe that human beings must control what happens in their bodies, whether they are male or female, young or old.
- Don't tell your child who to show affection to. For example, don't say "Give Grandma a kiss before she goes home." Instead, let her decide how she wants to comfortably say goodbye to Grandma.
- On the other hand, it is also important to teach him that he must ask permission before touching another person. Encourage him to ask Grandma if she can kiss him if he says he wants to.
Step 2. Don't control their gender expression
Don't reinforce the gender stereotype that makes boys think they shouldn't show emotion and makes girls think they should be delicate and wear dresses all the time. Instead, let your child discover who he is and what he likes without introducing your biases into the situation.
For example, allow your daughters to be physically active, and do the same as the boys, if they wish. Don't discourage them from climbing over the handrails because you're worried they're too brittle. On the other hand, don't discourage kids from liking something because it's pink, and don't say things like "big kids don't cry" when they're feeling sad about something
Step 3. Teach empathy for others
Being empathetic to the experiences of others plays an important role in liberal ideology. Your child will need to develop his own empathy skills, and some research suggests that parents play an important role in helping to develop them.
- For example, some research suggests that children who feel safe and loved are more likely to be empathetic.
- Spend time talking with your child about different emotions and how they can affect human behavior. It doesn't matter how small it is; Talking about his feelings and yours will help him understand that everyone has different experiences.
- Set a good example for your child. Being empathetic is a great way to teach her about empathy. If you see someone going through a difficult time (for example, a homeless person on the street), talk to your child and ask how they think that person must feel.
- Try to expose it to different types of people. Help your child see that people can be quite different when they leave their group of friends. Expose your child to different cultures and experiences the world has to offer. For example, you can take it on a trip to a foreign country. During the visit to that country, ask him to identify the differences with the locals. However, also teach him to notice the similarities.
Step 4. Teach your child to be tolerant
One of the main values of liberalism is tolerance. It is important to teach children that being tolerant does not mean sacrificing your own beliefs. It means that every child must learn that it is positive to be open to learning about the uniqueness of others.
This applies to more than just political values. It also refers to cultural and religious differences, and other ways that people can be different
Part 2 of 3: Understanding Liberal Values
Step 1. Explain the need for social support programs
Many liberal people believe that it is important for the government to fund programs that help people in need. This can include a wide variety of different programs. For example, if a person is laid off from their job in the United States, they can get unemployment benefits to help them take care of their family while they look for a new job.
- You can show why this is important by pointing out ways that you or someone you know has received help during a difficult situation from a social support program. You can use an example like this: "Last year, Aunt Sara was fired from her job and was very worried for a while because she didn't know how she was going to take care of her family without her pay. However, she was able to receive money from the government that he helped feed his family while looking for a new job. "
- You can demonstrate the value of social support programs by asking your child what they think should be done in a particular situation. For example, if you see a homeless person asking for money on the street, ask your child how he could help that person. Compare your answer to something the government can do.
Step 2. Be in favor of peaceful resolutions
Liberal people are often against war as a means of problem solving. War causes unnecessary loss of life, pain and suffering, and money spent on military service that could be spent on other things, such as education.
A good way to discuss this with your children is to ask them how they have been taught to solve problems with friends at school. Emphasize the fact that violence is never an appropriate means of solving problems. He points out that many governments resort to violence when trying to solve problems, but it leaves many families saddened by having lost someone important in their lives
Step 3. Support immigration
Liberal Americans tend to be in favor of immigration laws that make it possible for people to immigrate to the United States legally. In addition, they are often in favor of helping undocumented immigrants who want to stay in the United States.
You can talk to your child about your own family history. Unless you are a Native American, your ancestors may have immigrated to the United States from elsewhere. Indicate how many families would have wanted to go to the United States to have a good life, like the one your son has
Step 4. Support women's rights
Perhaps one of the biggest debates in politics these days is between pro-choice and pro-life people. Generally, people with liberal values tend to support those who are in favor of the election. This is the notion that women have the right to choose what to do with their bodies and if they wish to have an abortion, it is their sole decision.
- Similarly, show yourself in favor of offering women various methods of contraception. Taking a pro-choice stance does not necessarily mean that you believe women should have an abortion whenever they want. However, it does mean that you support giving women (and men) many different ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
- Talking about this topic directly with your child may be difficult, but you can show that everyone has the right to choose what to do with their bodies.
- For example, you can remind her not to touch or kiss anyone if she doesn't want to. It points out that everyone has this right, regardless of their gender.
Step 5. Recognize that all people have the right to marry
Another hot debate in certain parts of the world in recent years is gay marriage. Liberal people tend to support marriage for all people, whether they are heterosexual or homosexual. The point is that love is love, and people should have the right to choose who to marry, as long as it is to another adult who has consented.
- Talk to your children about sexuality. You can explain to them that just because she's a girl doesn't mean they have to "like" boys, and vice versa. Explain that many boys like boys, and that there are girls who like girls, and that some people like boys and girls.
- Ask them what they think about same-sex marriage and why. Ask them if they think that a person should be able to marry the person they love, regardless of their gender, as long as the other person also wants to marry.
- Showing your children that you are open to conversations and questions on any topic will make them more open to discussing topics that are difficult for them.
Part 3 of 3: Helping Children Understand Liberal Values
Step 1. Be clear with yourself and with your partner about what you want to teach
There are probably many values you want to instill in your child. Think about which ones are the most important to you. It is important that you understand that you have a great influence on your children. Focus on the values that are most important to you.
- For example, you may be a strong believer in raising open-minded and tolerant children, but don't care too much what religion, if any, they follow. You can talk to your children about religion, but try not to make it the most important thing. Instead, focus on setting examples of tolerance. Talk about what can happen when people are closed and intolerant.
- In one study, liberal parents reported that teaching tolerance was their primary importance.
- If you have a partner with whom you are raising a child, talk to them about the values you want to instill. This could be difficult if you have different political views. Find a middle ground or at least some areas that you agree on.
Step 2. Don't impose values on your children
There is research that suggests that if you constantly impose your beliefs on your children, there will be a tendency for rebellion in them. If you think you are liberal and want to raise liberal children, don't force them to accept that position as the only right way to live.
- This does not mean that you cannot tell them about your political beliefs and why you hold them. Instead, it means that you avoid being dogmatic about your beliefs and avoiding saying negative things about conservative people in the presence of your children. Explain both sides of the story and talk about why you feel that liberal values are the best for you.
- Ask for their opinion on things without first telling them what you think. Know who they are and how they feel without putting pressure on them, as that could cause hard feelings.
Step 3. Answer the questions patiently
Your children may ask you a lot of difficult questions about why you believe what you believe, and they may even ask you questions that challenge your beliefs. Work on not losing patience and getting angry.
- For example, your son might come back from a sleepover and tell you that Juan's dad told Juan's mom that all the people who think gay marriage is acceptable are idiots. Your child might ask you why. In this type of situation, you may feel very angry with Juan's father for saying that in front of your son. However, instead of getting angry, say something like, "Well, Juan's dad might believe that to be true and he has the right to believe it, but gay people have the right to love who they love and marry the person they want to marry. Do you think that people should be able to marry the person they love, or that they shouldn't be able to because someone else doesn't like the idea? "
- Presenting your answer as a conversation in which you explain your beliefs as logically as possible will help him get his idea and decide what makes sense to him.
Step 4. Answer the questions honestly
Both sides of the political spectrum have their flaws, and being a liberal doesn't make you a perfect person. When your child asks you a question, answer honestly. Talk about both sides of the problem and why you have chosen to believe what you believe.
- For example, many people start out on the political spectrum and then go to the other side for some reason. Talk to your child about your first visions and why, over time, you have become a more liberal person. Provide examples of events that led you to believe in more liberal values.
- Keep in mind that, when talking about values, there is usually no objectively correct answer. There is only a belief in a morally correct answer. Keeping this in mind will help you not be dogmatic.
Step 5. Avoid speaking hatefully about people you disagree with
If you are a very political person, you may have strong opinions regarding those who have another point of view. You may think that conservative people are nothing more than bigoted racists. However, an important value of liberalism is tolerance. Therefore, you must set an example for your child. Be tolerant of people who disagree with you.
You can explain to your child why you disagree with conservative values, but do so with respect and without using hateful or derogatory words
Step 6. Set a good example
The best way to instill liberal values is to set a good example for your children by living by those values. Whenever possible, set a good example of what you think it means to be a liberal person.
- For example, be tolerant of people who are different. Don't criticize someone because they don't agree with you.
- Volunteer in a political movement that you support and take your children with you. Go for peaceful movements where they can see liberal people at their best. Avoid violent movements, as they could cause fear.
Step 7. Talk about why politics is important
For most children, politics is a confusing subject. Take some time to explain why having an opinion on politics is important.
- For example, explain the two main parties in the United States (Democrats and Republicans) and other parties (for example, Green Party, Tea Party, Libertarians, etc.). Talk about the values of the parties and give them some examples of members of each one.
- Explain that, in the United States, everyone over the age of 18 has the right to vote in elections that will help decide who rules the country. Explain that elected leaders must represent the will of the people who have elected them.
Step 8. Reinforce your ideas through social interactions with like-minded people
Have your children spend time with friends and family who have similar values. Hearing why other people have similar beliefs will help you decide your own beliefs.
- This does not mean that you keep them away from people who have different values. As they get older, they will have to learn to deal with the fact that people are different. Since tolerance is a liberal value, showing them that there are people who think differently is important.
- If you spend time with someone who has strong conservative values, broach the issue with your children. For example, you can say, "Today, you will spend the afternoon with Grandpa. Grandpa is a good and kind man, but sometimes he can say things that you will not believe are correct. Remember that, as much as he has different ideas regarding the things, he loves you very much and you love him. We don't have to agree on everything to be a united family. "
Advice
- Work on staying positive about politics. This can be very difficult, but doing so will help keep your kids optimistic about politicians' ability to make a real difference in the world.
- Regardless of your political opinions, one of the most important things you can teach your children is to be kind and empathetic. This will help them function in society, beyond politics.