‘Women loving gossip’ ‘Asians being bad drivers’ ‘People on glasses being nerds’ ‘Blacks being aggressive’
A lot of casual statements or jokes stem from what we believe a person to be based on our views on where they are from, how they look et cetera. Many of these, though harmless in intent, can form part or wholes of how we see different groups in general, especially when we don’t belong to them.
Stereotypes are oversimplified generalized beliefs or assumptions about a particular group or race. Or an exaggerated opinion, image or conception about a group which the holder is not part of.
Stereotypes are not always bad. They are considered to be the product of attempts to simplify a rather complex world. For example, there is no wrong in getting a good laugh from your friend assuming that the food you were served at a restaurant was cooked by a Yoruba person, because it was very spicy.
Here's a friend's article on medical students ' stereotypes
The negatives of stereotyping however, are when they are used as a means to make conclusive judgement about any individual with whom one has no direct affiliation or relationship, especially when it’s a negative one. It will not be far-fetched to say that stereotypes contribute-no matter how seemingly insignificant- to world issues like racism or forms of gender discrimination.
Why?
Stereotypes can be internalized unconsciously. Studies agree that by the ages of five, children already have established stereotypes about colour and gender. These beliefs grow with them and even if conscious effort is made to unlearn and correct them, unconscious biases remain.
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| Picture by Randy Fath |
If you have a mental picture of how a person from a particular group, tribe or race, is likely to behave, you are very likely to only see things that affirm your assumptions. It is reasonable to make personal conclusions from observing any culture or group and predicting how a member of the same is likely to look, think or behave. But accepting that generalizations are never hundred percent and not even close, is very important.
What applies to one, doesn’t apply to all.
Stereotypes – overt or implicit, are going to remain as part of our lives and society. Use of it however, in personal judgement is a most unwise decision. Again, while racism, prejudice and gender discrimination remain, it is imperative to note that nothing consists entirely of itself. Overlooked and seemingly harmless things such as negative stereotypes could very well be the building blocks to these social problems.
Do you disagree that everyone stereotypes? Have you experienced negative effects of stereotypes? Can it ever be unstayed from society, or does it even affect society?
Share in the comments
18 comments
Ofcourse everyone stereotypes in one way or the other, like most of us believe that most guys from South America are drug users, shippers or traffickers lol. Have i experienced the negative effects of stereotypes? Well i would be a lier if i say ve not. Could you believe that some online registrations and form fillings are restricted to some countries, Nigeria and a host of other African countries excluded. I happened to try 'registering' i was told that due yo my Nationality, i wasn't allowed to register.lol
ReplyDeleteCould it be unstayed? It is said that it's always difficult to learn how to use your left hand at an old age. So please do pardon me when i i say that it is an almost impossible task to totally eradicate 'stereotypism' please pardon the grammer. Because this is something that has been developed and has grown through generations. Which has also eaten so deep into the bone marrows of present generations that people practice the act it out instinctively without even knowing. So if theres a chance that it could be outstayed, i believe twill take a generation to outlive it.
Does it affect the society? It goes without saying that the word alone "stereotype" has greatly affected the society mostly in the negative direction. Alot of protests in different countries which has led to loss of lives, inflation, fall and death of economy, diminishing international recognition and a host of others, has been a result of "stereotypism". I am a strong believer that nothing is impossible to achieve if we all work together, cos we all know that it takes two to tango and it even takes more to row a ship to its destination ...
Thanks #GRANTé
Is it hot in here or what🔥🔥🔥... I honestly do not know what to say to this because you have said it all and so so much more.
DeleteStereotyping is a product of not just our being human, but our being different. So it is bound to remain even if unconsciously. Acting and deciding on them is different too.
You have given a blog post on your own and i know that anyone who reads this will be all the better for it
Thanks a lot Grante
Wow..... This is a very nice article like I literally read it through.... Nice work bro
ReplyDeleteThank you so much...
DeleteIt means a lot.
I hope you'll also love to read others too
Wonderful piece. Got quite a lot from that. Your nature shot is fascinating. Keep it up Bob.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much sir... I hope to keep it engaging for you
DeleteMore inspiration bro!!!
ReplyDeleteI have been a victim of stereotypes, not a victim in the sense that I was deprived of a privilege or something but, there was a time someone asked for my tribe and when I replied that I am an Igbo boy, she furrowed her brows and was like, you don't behave like an Igbo boy, you're are calm and reserved unlike the boisterous, money inclined dudes. Funny but there it is, a stereotype.
The stereotypes are just simplified generalized beliefs and should not be taken as a basis for personal judgements. There is the nature and nurture theory; environment influences the manifestation of individuals natural traits, and stereotypes are a way of saying one is independent of the other when in fact they both influence the traits manifested by the individuals.
Not all nerds wear glasses, not all old women are witches, everyone likes or love money it is not limited to Igbos. Stereotypes will remain ideal but be knowledgeable enough to know that it isn't reality.
Not all old women are witches...Ha that one got me.
DeleteStereotypes implying either nature being independent of nurture or vice versa, I never quite thought of it that way. Thank you so much
A very practical article. I have been a victim of stereotype and stereotypical judgements. Most times it is passed on in form of jokes but I didn't know how much I have hurt people due to generalized beliefs. I was called a nerd because I wear glasses. Keep it up sir.
ReplyDeleteThe nerd-glasses one is pretty common... It's usually what comes to my mind first when I see anyone on glasses but I'm learning better
DeleteThank you very much for this
Stereotype is a social problem. And like every social problem, can't be fully eradicated. We can only hope; perhaps fight for a slash
ReplyDeleteRide on Bob
As long as we're human and different, I honestly believe social issues will remain.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this
Thanks a lot for this Bob.
ReplyDeleteVery welcome... Thanks for reading too
DeleteGood piece
ReplyDeleteThank you very much
DeleteNice one bro
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, it means a lot
Delete