Equality: Understanding that every individual has the same inherent value, and the same right to express their fullest self.
How does Equality relate to Gender Equity?
When we operate from the perspective that our needs and wants are not automatically above or below anyone else’s, we can transform conversations on any topic from sharing parenting responsibilities to crafting a business policy to writing a government bill.
When conflict happens, which is natural, no one’s interests and needs automatically take precedence over another’s. Instead, we put the necessary work into creating a plan that truly works for both parties, making it more sustainable. We will also benefit from previously unattainable outcomes that can improve our families, organizations, and institutions.
Examples of what Equality looks like in an adult.
- A colleague who is able and willing to talk through a problem until a win-win solution is found.
- A partner who sincerely asks for our input regarding a plan that impacts us.
- Political representatives who will not write bills or pass laws that restrict our rights compared to their own.
- A spouse who will make sure our wishes, ideas and needs do not automatically take precedence over their own.
- A parent who treats their child with the respect due a full human being, though a smaller and less developed one.
- A business owner who creates policies that add diversity to their staff and make it easy for all employees’ voices to be heard.
- An employees who speaks respectfully to their boss, the janitorial staff, and colleagues.
Examples of how we can teach Equality to our child.
- Listen to what our child has to say and address their needs and ideas as much as we’re able to.
- Demonstrate how to speak respectfully to people regardless of their position in life.
- Work to achieve win-win solutions with our child when we disagree.
- Show how we advocate for our needs and wishes, even under difficult circumstances.
- Share our time, effort and finances with people who have less power and privilege than us.
*I am using “they/their/theirs/them/themselves” as singular pronouns.
Back to Guiding Principles for
Developing Whole Children
Self Awareness | Reciprocity | Full Personhood | Equality | Physical Ownership | Verbal Conflict Resolution | Emotional Wellness | Advocacy | Humility | Authenticity | Contribution | Resiliency | Joy | Gratitude | Community | Critical Thinking
