Rising Intolerance

You
Rising intolerance
It often arises from a lack of understanding, fear, or mistrust of people - who are
di!erent from oneself. Intolerance can also be perpetuated by stereotypes,
misinformation, and narrow-mindedness....
By Sobia Irfan Butt May 23, 2023
opinion
Intolerance is a growing problem in Pakistan, and it is alarming to see its e!ects

among school children. Children who are supposed to be learning the values of
empathy, respect, and acceptance, are instead exhibiting intolerance towards their
classmates who are di!erent from them. Intolerance refers to the unwillingness or
inability to accept the beliefs, opinions, or behaviours of others who di!er from
oneself. It is a negative attitude or behaviour that can manifest in various forms, such
as discrimination, prejudice, bigotry, and hatred.
Advertisement
The problem of intolerance is widespread in schools across Pakistan, with children

displaying prejudice against their peers based on their religion, ethnicity, race,
gender, and socio-economic status. The intolerance manifests in di!erent ways,
including bullying, name-calling, exclusion, and physical violence. Children who are
targets of intolerance often su!er from low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and even
trauma. Such experiences can have long-lasting e!ects on their mental health,
academic performance, and overall wellbeing. Intolerance can be rooted in various
https://www.thenews.com.pk/amp/1071852-rising-intolerance 24/03/2024, 11 16 AM
Page 1 of 13
:
factors such as social, cultural, economic, and political factors. It often arises from a
lack of understanding, fear, or mistrust of people - who are di!erent from oneself.
Intolerance can also be perpetuated by stereotypes, misinformation, and narrow-
mindedness.
One of the primary reasons for intolerance among school children in Pakistan is the
lack of diversity and inclusivity in the education system. The curriculum often
reinforces stereotypes and reinforces negative attitudes towards marginalised
groups. Additionally, teachers and school administrators may not have the skills or
training to address intolerance e!ectively. There is also a lack of awareness and
understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion among parents, who may
inadvertently pass on their biases to their children.
Another factor that contributes to rising intolerance among school children is the
social and cultural attitudes towards di!erence and diversity. In many communities,
di!erences in religion, ethnicity, and socio-economic status are viewed as negative
and are often used as a basis for discrimination and prejudice. Another factor is
children often learn attitudes and beliefs from their families and peers. If their
immediate environment promotes intolerance towards certain groups, children may
adopt these views. Many children in Pakistan grow up in a homogenous environment
with limited exposure to di!erent cultures and religions. This lack of exposure can
lead to a narrow worldview and limited understanding of other cultures, which may
contribute to intolerance.
The "rst learning institute for children is their ‘home’ where one can observe the best
examples of intolerance. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, parents may unintentionally or
intentionally contribute to the spread of intolerance among school children. As they
pass on their biases and prejudices towards certain religious or ethnic groups to their
children, which can in#uence their attitudes and beliefs towards those groups. They
also encourage segregation, such as sending their children to religious schools or
discouraging them from interacting with children from di!erent religious or ethnic
backgrounds. Parents use derogatory language towards certain religious or ethnic
groups, in front of their children, which can contribute to the normalisation of
intolerance and prejudice and foster a culture of fear towards di!erent groups.
To combat intolerance among school children in Pakistan, it is essential to address

the root causes of the problem. Schools need to develop a curriculum that promotes
diversity and inclusivity, provide training and support to teachers and sta! on how to
address intolerance, and create a safe and welcoming environment for all students.
Parents can also play a crucial role in promoting tolerance at home by modelling
respectful behaviour, challenging their biases, and encouraging their children to be
Page 2 of 13
:
open-minded and accepting of di!erences.
It has been observed that children have become more advanced in communications.
In this regard, media can play a very in#uential role by highlighting positive stories
that can give examples of people from di!erent religious and ethnic backgrounds
working together towards common goals. Through this, unity and acceptance will be
promoted. Avoid misconception about di!erent communities by providing accurate
and balanced reporting, through documentaries and television shows cultural
exchange could be promoted and encouragement for public debate could be given.
Media and various political parties can create miracles among school children as they
idealise these two platforms. Political parties can arrange seminars and training
sessions with educational institutions to create programmes and awareness
campaigns by highlighting the messages of respect for diversity and the harmful
e!ects of discrimination and prejudice. They can also support intercultural activities,
collaborating with NGOs, and incorporating the promotion of tolerance in their party
platform.
In conclusion, intolerance among school children in Pakistan is a signi"cant issue

that requires urgent attention. It not only a!ects the wellbeing of individual children
but also undermines social cohesion and stability. Addressing intolerance requires a
concerted e!ort from all stakeholders, including educators, parents, and
policymakers. By promoting diversity, inclusivity, and empathy, we can create a more
tolerant and accepting society where all children can thrive.
The author is a PhD scholar at Department of International Relations, University of

Karachi
Advertisement
Page 3 of 13
:

Rising Intolerance

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Rising Intolerance

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Rising Intolerance

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You

By Sobia Irfan Butt May 23, 2023

Intolerance is a growing problem in Pakistan, and it is alarming to see its e!ects

The problem of intolerance is widespread in schools across Pakistan, with children

To combat intolerance among school children in Pakistan, it is essential to address

In conclusion, intolerance among school children in Pakistan is a signi"cant issue

The author is a PhD scholar at Department of International Relations, University of

You might also like