Parenting key to teaching children equality, respect and consent: panel
Parents must begin conversations on equality, respect and consent early in childhood and ensure boys are taught to respect boundaries while being allowed to express
Parents must begin conversations on equality, respect and consent early in childhood and ensure boys are taught to respect boundaries while being allowed to express vulnerability, speakers at the sixth edition of the #StandWithHer panel discussion said on Saturday. The discussion, held at WeHub, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, focused on “Parenting – How to Teach Girls and Boys About Equality, Respect and Consent from Childhood”.
Telangana DG, CID, ACB and Women Safety Wing Charu Sinha said parenting needed to move from a reactive to a proactive approach. “Can a man be vulnerable without being judged?” she asked, stressing that children should be allowed to express emotions while learning empathy, responsibility and respect. Actor and Annapurna College of Film & Media director Amala Akkineni said education alone was insufficient and children needed to develop discernment to distinguish right from wrong and understand consequences.
Film director V. Nandini Reddy said parents should explain the reasoning behind rules rather than impose inherited gender stereotypes. Entrepreneur Uttam Reddy stressed the need for parents to put aside gadgets and have meaningful conversations with children, while University of Hyderabad sociology professor Anurekha Chari Wagh said consent should not be taught only to girls. “We must also teach our boys to hear no,” she said.
Researcher Chinnagari Charan said children often unconsciously reproduce behaviour they observe at home. The year-long #StandWithHer campaign seeks to promote dialogue on gender equality and encourage more respectful and equitable relationships.
The BriefWire