When your child asks if they’ll be harmed like the people on the news, what do you say? Psychologists provide tips on how to talk about identity
Many children are seeing aspects of their identity portrayed as problematic. Having regular conversations about identity can armor them against future harm.
When your child asks if they'll be harmed like the people on the news, it can be a challenging conversation to navigate. Psychologists suggest that parents can help their child understand the impact of identity-based concerns by listening for the underlying question. Younger children might not be able to articulate their fears directly, but they may express concerns through hypotheticals or jokes. Older children may repeat something they've seen online or go quiet when discussing topics related to identity.
Parents should encourage open-ended questions like "tell me more" to allow children to express their concerns. If a child says they don't know, it's important to validate their feelings and avoid pressing further at that moment. Assuring children that it's okay to not have immediate answers can help them process their emotions.
Parents should not shy away from discussing difficult news as avoidance can leave children to draw their own conclusions about the messages they've heard. Instead, they should answer directly and affirm their child's identity, letting them know that they are valued and respected. This can help protect their mental well-being and build resilience against prejudice and discrimination.
It's important to emphasize that children's worth is not defined by derogatory comments or discriminatory actions. By reinforcing positive messages about themselves and their identities, parents can help their children separate harmful stereotypes from their inherent value. Even if these messages seem obvious, repeating them can provide reassurance and give children something to hold onto when faced with future challenges.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
