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Instead of being presented with stereotypes by age, sex, color, class, or religion, children must have the opportunity to learn that within each range, some people are loathsome and some are delightful.
Margaret Mead
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Children should be taught to see individuals beyond stereotypes related to age, sex, color, class, or religion.

This quote by Margaret Mead emphasizes the importance of educating children to recognize the uniqueness of individuals rather than categorizing them based on societal stereotypes. It suggests that by understanding the diversity within every group, children can develop a more nuanced and respectful perspective towards others, seeing both the negative and positive traits that exist in all communities.

Themes

EducationStereotypesDiversityChildrenUnderstanding

In practice

Example use cases

In a school assembly focused on diversity, this quote can help students reflect on their perceptions of others.

More from Margaret Mead

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American society is very like a fish society. . . . Among certain species of fish, the only thing which determines order of dominance is length of time in the fishbowl. The oldest resident picks on the newest resident, and if the newest resident is removed to a new bowl, he, as oldest resident, will pick on the newcomers.
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When human beings have been fascinated by the contemplation of their own hearts, the more intricate biological pattern of the female has become a model for the artist, the mystic, and the saint. When mankind turns instead to what can be done, altered, built, invented, in the outer world, all natural properties of men, animals, or metals become handicaps to be altered rather than clues to be followed.
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