Some Questions You May Be Asking Yourself
How can I get my child to be more accepting of other groups?
How can I get my child to feel more comfortable with their dark skin or curly hair?
How are biases/stereotypes impacting my child's academic success? Ask yourself the following questions:
How are biases/stereotypes impacting my career success? Ask yourself the following questions:
Is my relationship being impacted by racist, sexist or homophobic biases? Ask yourself the following questions:
Is my work or school environment inclusive? If not, can I make it more inclusive for members of ALL groups? Ask yourself the following questions:
How can I get my child to be more accepting of other groups?
- Examine your own friendship circles. Provide a parent model of inclusion of different social groups.
- Examine your child’s friendship circles. Provide opportunities for them to associate with children different from themselves.
- Provide positive examples of groups you know are negatively stereotyped in society.
- Examine your child’s media/books/characters on clothing/toys/etc. Provide materials that represent positive images of diverse groups of people.
How can I get my child to feel more comfortable with their dark skin or curly hair?
- Practice daily positive affirmations/sayings that highlight the beauty of dark skin and curly hair. This should begin at a very young age (as early as 2 years old) or as soon as you realize they have been affected by negative stereotypes.
- Examine your child’s media/books/characters on clothing/toys/etc. Provide materials that are representative of positive images of minority children.
- Provide a parent model of accepting and loving your own skin and hair for your child.
How are biases/stereotypes impacting my child's academic success? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does your child belong to a social group that is stereotyped as uneducated, lazy and unsuccessful?
- Do you have concerns that your child may be conforming to negative stereotypes associated with the group(s) they belong to?
How are biases/stereotypes impacting my career success? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you feel anxious when having to talk to people from different groups?
- Do you feel as if your co-workers are negatively judging you because of the social group you belong to?
Is my relationship being impacted by racist, sexist or homophobic biases? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you feel as if your spouse/family/friend does not understand your culture/gender group or sexual orientation?
- Do you find yourself often getting into disagreements with your spouse/family/friend about your racial/gender/or sexual orientation attitudes?
Is my work or school environment inclusive? If not, can I make it more inclusive for members of ALL groups? Ask yourself the following questions:
- A representative sample of multiple racial/ethnic group is present.
- Diversity in work/school leadership.
- Examine school/work environment and provide materials and experiences that represent positive messages about diverse groups (books, art, curriculum, cultural celebrations. etc.)
- Encourage diversity training and team-building exercises that reduce biases.
The Bias Adjuster | bgibson@thebiasadjuster.com | 1 West Court Square, Decatur, GA 30030 | 404-494-7894