RAISING CHILDREN TO BE CRITICAL THINKERS AND OBJECTIVE DECISION MAKERS

With the rapid pace of technological advancement and changing societal norms, parenting in the 21st century is now more complex than ever. The traditional approach of authoritarian parenting, in which parents make all the decisions for their children, is gradually giving way to a more nurturing and collaborative approach.

On the basis of that premise, it has become increasingly important to raise children to be critical thinkers in order for them to effectively participate in decision-making. Teaching children about objectivity can help them make better decisions, understand different perspectives, and improve their relationships with others.

By definition, while subjectivity means looking at things from a personal point of view and making decisions based on personal feelings or opinions, objectivity on the other hand means looking beyond bias or emotions to make decisions based on facts and evidence. For Example, if Mrs. A refuses to do certain transactions with Mr. B on the basis of her bias or distrust for people of the ethnic group that Mr. B belongs to, that will be a clear case of subjectivity. If, however, the refusal is based on established cases of failure and incompetence on the part of Mr. B, then Mrs. A can be said to be objective in her decision.

As the world gets more complex around us, encouraging objectivity in our children means equipping them with the skills they need to keep up with the times and make the most of their lives. There are many ways this important concept can help your child(ren):

 

 

• Objectivity makes children effective problem-solvers because it helps them see problems from multiple angles and consider different possibilities before making a decision. For example, if a child is trying to decide what to wear to school, they may look at the weather forecast and consider different options, rather than just choosing something based on personal preference.
• Objectivity helps children understand and appreciate the perspectives and feelings of others, even if they don’t agree with them. This can help them to build stronger relationships and to be more empathetic and understanding towards others. For example, if a child is trying to understand why their friend is upset, they may ask questions and try to see things from their friend’s perspective, rather than just assuming that they know what their friend is feeling.
• Objectivity helps children navigate difficult situations, and they will be more likely to ask questions and seek out information to help them make informed decisions. For example, if a child is trying to decide whether or not to join their peers in an activity, they may think through the consequences and their parent’s bits of advice before proceeding, rather than just tagging along just to make their friends happy.

On the flip side, a lack of objectivity can ultimately lead to negative consequences. For example, making assumptions about others based on biases can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts, and can make it more difficult to build strong relationships. Decisions that are based on feelings or opinions rather than facts are often poor ones and can be a recipe for failure.

In addition to teaching children about objectivity, it is important for parents themselves to model the quality in their daily lives. Children learn more from examples and are more likely to emulate what is exhibited by their parents.

In the larger scheme of things, the community also benefits, because critical thinkers are less likely to stereotype or discriminate against others. They will be more open-minded and appreciate different perspectives and cultures, and our communities will be better for it.

These are some of the amazing ideas that greatly resonate with our purposes as an organization. At Thrive4Blacks, we are constantly striving to educate and empower young people to be the best versions of themselves through programs and initiatives that prepare them for leadership roles in our collective future.