Lisa Marthalina Sadikin A1B214226

Parents as the Teacher of Tolerance for Children

            Indonesia is the country which is well-known as unity in diversity. It focuses on the existence of unity even after lots of differences of cultural, social, physical, linguistic, religious, political, ideological, psychological, etc. Having been through to be called as unity in diversity, Indonesia should owns tolerance. Acording to Micheal Wazler (1997), tolerance as a necessity in the individual rooms and public spaces since one of the goals is to build a peaceful life tolerance among various groups of people from various differences in historical background, culture, and identity. However, recently the meaning of tollerance in Indonesia is being questioned now. There are lot problems which represent certain group of people in discrmination appear continuously. People are easily provoked by their emotions and thoughts  through social media. Through social media, all the news is very easy to be accessed by everyone, including children. They will easily input the information which they have received in social media and it will be dangerous if it is not being filtered by their parents. Therefore, parents should educate the meaning of tolerance as well. Prof. Dr. Naquib Alatas stated that, the notion of educating is the human form to occupy its rightful place in the fabric of society and behave proportionally according to the structure of science and technology competence. Therefore, in my opinion, the parents as controller plays an important role to establish the meaning of tolerance to children as early as possible, so that the children are accustomed to tolerate without disturbing faith of religion.

            First, the children have to own a strong faith foundation of the religion. Religious education is a basic foundation to be given to the children, because it can bring out the character of the children to become better. The religion also teaches a lot of goodness for example politeness, kindness, helpfulness, and etc. Things must be considered as a parent is to provide faith education to the childrem. It is very important as parents to provide an understanding that the good people are those who have a good character. As parents, they are the first teachers for children to instill the important principle of religion profit as early as possible. As a result, when the child already have strong foundation of religion they will not falter and susceptible to what they deemed to be different with their beliefs, so that tolerance will be strengthened in them. In general, it is important to understand all religions teach goodness. As in Islam, for instance, Islam as “Rahmatan Lil Alamin”. Islam is a religion “Rahmatan Lil 'Alamin” means that Islam is a religion that bring blessings and prosperity for all of the entire universe, including animals, plants and the gee, including human beings. According to Qur’an in Surah al-Anbiya verse 107 which says, "And We sent you: not but to (become) a mercy to the worlds". Islam forbids people to apply arbitrarily against God's creatures, including humans who are not tolerant. Through the verse meaning the children will know that in fact every religion brings peace in their lives and not look for differences and debate it. Thus, the meaning of tolerance according to their religion for children would be easily accepted by them.

            Secondly, children should be taught about the differences as early as possible, so that they have a strong foundation to interpret the meaning of respect for diversity. As we know, we stayed in Indonesia which has 1,128 ethnic origins, 6 religions; Islam, Christian, Catholic, Hindu, Buddha, and Kong Hu Cu. It is important for not applying discrimination against differences that exist in both the majority and minority. According to Theodorson & Theodorson (1979: 115-116), “discrimination is the unequal treatment of any individual, or group, based on something, usually categorical, or unique attributes, such as those based on race, ethnicity, religion, or social class”. Therefore, parents play an important role as a role model to his tolerance to avoid discrimination. Since all the behavior of the parents will be the example of their children.

            As stated by D'Arcy Lyness, PhD (2014), Like all attitudes, tolerance is often taught in subtle ways, even before they can speak, children closely watch - and imitate - reviews their parents. Kids of all ages develop reviews their own values, in great part, by mirroring the values ​​and attitudes of reviews those they care about. Parents have  a positive role model and a good influence in their childrens’ lives, not only matters relating to the religious and racial differences, but also a sense of tolerance towards beings with different types of physical forms, abilities, and everything else. There are ways to teach tollerance such as allowing the childre to assume a physical difference is that it should be. If they already assumed that the difference does not become an important issue in their lives. Then, fertilizers childrens’ confidence, so they can embrace the differences and see the value that belongs to someone else. Remember that children are always heard. In addition, teach children to appreciate their own traditions as well as others. Celebrate family tradition and exploration of other traditions that are outside the comfort zone of children, for example. Give the experience of being in the population is different in children. Allow children attend camp, training or study groups and other arts so that they can feel the difference. Children who used to live alone and less sociable it will be difficult to tolerate others. Encourage the children on the way so they can have a new experience in a different environment and expand their horizons. It also can help children understand why other people around the world are different. Let them to have a lot of activities with different groups, children will get used to share and not odd with a difference.

            Many people now argue that tolerance can be obtained by children in school education, especially in the subjects of “Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan”, so parents do not have to bother themselve to teach the meaning of tolerance to children. Deputy Chairman of House Commission VIII, Sodiq Mudjahid said that, “Religious leaders who are the most responsible to educate about tolerance more intensively”. This idea is strange, because the family, especially parents as the closest person and as a the first teacher of their childen who should ecucate tolerance. As the opinion of early childhood need to be instilled moral values ​​as a regulator of the attitudes and behavior of individuals in social interactions within families, communities and nations (Gunarwan, 2005: 10). Therefore, parents should not remove their responsibility as their childrens’ first teachers, including to teach values ​​to their childrens’ lives. When a child has been implanted meaning of tolerance, then we do not need to be worry with their growth, because they has owned the strong foundation.

            In conclusion, the tolerance is much needed in Indonesia because we have many differences in terms of religion, ethnicity, race, and ethnicity. Tolerance must be owned by every citizen in order not to break “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity) in Indonesia. Therefore, tolerance should be taught as early as possible and its a duty of parents to provide knowledge about tolerance to children. When the meaning of tolerance and good morals are already attached to the children, then our generation will not be easily indoctrinated and divided because of good character from each of children has been applied in their souls.

REFERENCE

Antonia. (2012). Mengajarkan Toleransi dan Perbedaan Pada Anak. Accessed online on http://artikelkesehatananak.com/mengajarkan-toleransi-dan-perbedaan-pada-anak.html.

Mardiya. (2009). Peranan Orang Tua Dalam Pembentukan Karakter Anak. Accessed online on https://mardiya.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/peranan-orang-tua-dalam-pembentukan-karakter-dan-tumbuh-kembang-anak/.