Name: Love, no matter what
Uploaded: 2013-06-03T15:10:19Z
Duration: 23 min 13 s
Description: What is it like to raise a child who's different from you in some fundamental way (like a prodigy, or a differently abled kid, or a criminal)? In this quietly moving talk, writer Andrew Solomon shares what he learned from talking to dozens of parents -- asking them: What's the line between unconditional love and unconditional acceptance?

What is it like to raise a child who's different from you in some fundamental way (like a prodigy, or a differently abled kid, or a criminal)? In this quietly moving talk, writer Andrew Solomon shares what he learned from talking to dozens of parents -- asking them: What's the line between unconditional love and unconditional acceptance?

Love, no matter what

Parental love grows even in the face of profound challenges or differences. From a mother choosing a pink balloon for her son to families raising children with Down syndrome or dwarfism, acceptance often requires a journey through fear, grief, and transformation. Many parents find new meaning and purpose through raising children different from themselves, even when society offers cures or solutions. The talk reveals that negotiating difference is not rare, but a universal part of what it means to be a family.