In these challenging times, it can be difficult to respect and accept others when they hold views that are different from your own.
- Learn why tolerance is essential in today’s stressful world, why it’s difficult to achieve and how we can all promote a more tolerant world, starting with ourselves.
- Emotions are running high at home and at work, which makes it more challenging to deal with people who don’t share your beliefs.
- Being tolerant and accepting is difficult, but so is the alternative. Intolerance can lead to mental and physical health problems, not to mention broken relationships.
- In honor of International Day for Tolerance (Nov. 16) we asked four experts with ties to Providence to share their insights about tolerance and how each of us can develop this ability.
[5 MIN READ]
What if we could all learn to be more tolerant?
Even with the presidential election behind us, tensions are high in our country. Together we’re coping with a pandemic, natural disasters, a national conversation about systemic racism, political transition and economic uncertainty. Emotions are running hot at home, at work and, yes, on social media. But at a time when it might seem easier to build walls, we must band together and collectively rise above.
Accepting and respecting other people, even when they hold views that are vastly different from ours, can go a long way toward bringing us together.
Accepting and respecting other people, even when they hold views that are vastly different from ours, can go a long way toward bringing us together. Here at Providence, we communicate acceptance and respect for others in our core value of justice, which calls us to:
- Foster a culture that promotes unity and reconciliation
- Strive to care wisely for our people, our resources and our earth
- Stand in solidarity with the most vulnerable, working to remove the causes of oppression and promoting justice for all
These noble goals are difficult to achieve in daily life. Each of us wants to be right, and we want other people to agree with us—especially about topics that are near and dear to our hearts. Can we accept (which doesn’t mean agree with) other people and resist the urge to judge them? Or do we simply need to be right, even if it tears someone else down or damages a friendship?
Each of us wants to be right, and we want other people to agree with us—especially about topics that are near and dear to our hearts. Can we accept other people and resist the urge to judge them?
November 16 is International Day for Tolerance, which was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1996. In honor of this event, we sat down with four mental health experts with ties to Providence and asked them to share their insights about why tolerance is essential and how we can grow in this area of our lives. Many thanks to our four panelists for joining the conversation. They include:
- Josh Cutler, LICSW, a Seattle-based clinical social worker at Providence Telehealth
- Cathlyn Fraguela Rios, LICSW, a Seattle-based clinical social worker at Providence Telehealth
- Robin Henderson, PsyD, a psychologist at Providence Health and Services in Oregon
- Tyler Norris, MDiv, chief executive of Well Being Trust, a national foundation established by Providence St. Joseph Health in 2016
The importance of tolerance
Question: When you look at society today, it’s obvious that so many issues divide us, from politics and religious beliefs to attitudes toward social distancing and mask-wearing. How could developing more tolerance and acceptance toward one another help?
Cathlyn: We are all going through a lot. Everyone is having difficulties with everything that is happening in the world and our lives. We are at a pivotal moment where things can change for the better. This begins with being able to understand one another. Having empathy and compassion toward one another is what can build the connections.
Robin: In a politically charged environment like we’re in today, “social tolerance” becomes a necessity. It asks each member of society to act with civility toward others. We all have differences related to race, religion, sexuality, gender and status—the list goes on and on. Social tolerance is an important part of an advanced society and it supports economic development, diversity, humanity, and mental and emotional well-being.
What intolerance costs us
Question: Anyone who has disagreed with a loved one at a holiday dinner knows that conflict in our personal relationships can cause anxiety and stress. What role does tolerance play in that dynamic?
Robin: Feeling that we have to “endure” someone because their views differ from our own takes a toll on our mental and emotional well-being. I would posit that a healthier position is one of acceptance. Accepting and even celebrating the differences we all have is energizing and promotes positive mental and emotional well-being for everyone.
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