The Value of Tolerance

At this week's mini-assembly we introduced our value of the week 'Tolerance'. It is a lack of tolerance that often leads to conflict in relationships. When we are intolerant we react negatively to people who annoy us or who do not behave the way we expect.

Our students watched this video which shows an older man acting in quite an irritating way by repeating the same question over and over again. The man's son demonstrated his intolerance by responding angrily to his father's annoying behaviour. A tolerant person does not let their emotions dictate their behaviour. They stop to think about why the person may be acting in an irritating manner and respond appropriately.

Tolerance also needs to be applied to people who may come from a different cultural or religious background. It needs to be applied to our family members, our friends and strangers because no one will think, look, speak or act exactly like us.

"To be tolerant is to accept differences...Tolerance is being free or prejudice, knowing that all people have feelings, needs, hopes and dreams. To be tolerant also means to accept things you wish were different with flexibility and patience."

The Virtues Project