Do kids grow up to be prejudiced?

Answer 1

Prejudice comes in one of several flavours.

1. Everyone s prejudiced by their culture to see some behaviour as "not normal" or "bad" In North America this is usually around food choices (Don't eat chimps or kittens), clothing choices (don't go to school naked) and safety issues (don't run towards a train at night in black clothing)
   
2. Beyond this children do pick up on religious, racial and cultural prejudices from their parents and friends. This is usually results in a "We don't associate with them because they're inferior/ stupid/ smelly/ eat strange food/ worship the wrong god/ etc."
   
3. A final set of prejudices develops from personal experience or mental disorder where bad events are associate with a specific group.
   

Kids adopt Type 1 prejudices and generally keep them all their lives as it helps them survive in their local culture. Moving to another culture may change them. As an example moving in with Inuit families may change your prejudice against eating blubber

Type 2 prejudices may stay with a child all of his life. However if facts do not support the prejudice (they fall in love with someone of the wrong sex, ethnic background or religion etc.) many adults put down the prejudice they have picked up even if it disrupts their family or social ties.

The third type of prejudice may stay with a person all their life or may fall before more experience and thinking.

Answer 2

Children can develop prejudices if they are exposed to biased beliefs or attitudes from caregivers, peers, media, and society. However, with education, exposure to diversity, and open-mindedness, children can also learn to challenge and overcome these prejudices as they grow up. It is important for adults to model inclusive behavior and have open discussions about diversity to help children develop empathy and respect for others.

Answer 3

Only if they're taught to think that way