Tolerance Begins At Home

While International Day for Tolerance calls on us to think globally, its most powerful practice begins within the walls of our own home.

As parents, the appreciation and respect we model within our families directly shapes the next generation. The ‘Line of Acceptance,’ a concept from Parent Effectiveness Training for understanding our reactions, applies powerfully to our engagement with the wider world:
It is human nature to feel most comfortable with what is familiar to us. However, when our “line of acceptance” is rigid, differences in race, religion, culture, gender, neurodivergence, or physical ability can feel challenging to navigate, sometimes creating distance between us and others.

Fortunately, this line is not fixed. When we choose to reflect, reevaluate, and re-educate ourselves, we can consciously lower the line. This gently guides us away from ingrained biases toward a spirit of openness, where we see, understand, and accept each other’s similarities and differences.

This flexibility is the bedrock of a genuinely inclusive society – especially in a diverse metropolis like Hong Kong. By modelling this openness, we can show the next generation how to connect with all in our world with kindness and compassion.