Do you think there is truth behind stereotypes?
@lilblondiemjd (857)
United States
October 23, 2010 12:24pm CST
So as human beings, a lot of us have some bias tendencies. Whether it has to do with religion, race, sexuality, politics, social groups, etc. A lot of us have stereotypes that we've grown up with as children, and sometimes carried with us into adulthood. I've discussed this with some people around me, and they always make comments such as, "Well if people didn't act that way then I wouldn't have that stereotype." Or an attitude along those lines. I try to put it into perspective - The Irish are known for drinking, I have a big Irish Catholic family, and a lot of them have drinking problems. That's here nor there I'm just trying to give an example of how some stereotypes can seem to be true, when you experience them first hand. That doesn't mean it's ALWAYS true, but it's hard to think differently when there's so much to support the stereotype first hand.
Do you believe there is truth behind many stereotypes? Why or why not?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@ravend (658)
• Malta
23 Oct 10
I think so yes. I always approach people without stereotypes, but than I learnt that most often they are facts. Not bad stereotypes, just coldfacts of aving been brought up in a different culture.
@lilblondiemjd (857)
• United States
23 Oct 10
This is a good point too. When I think of stereotypes that go along with who I am, I just try to view them in a light way. Some people may view them as negative, when in reality, it's just something that goes along with the culture. I would choose to embrace the stereotypes instead of looking to them as negative.
@faithloveire (69)
• Oman
23 Oct 10
Well, I do believe there is a bit of truth in these stereotypes. It's the same as legends and myths - they all have basis for their beginnings. Sometimes, stereotyping can get twisted, especially if it has been that way for a long time. I believe stereotypes aren't always true, like you said, but I can't ignore tha fact that it could be true.
@lilblondiemjd (857)
• United States
23 Oct 10
I agree! I think it's cool you brought up myths and legends. It's so interesting how a myth or old tale can be based on some truth, but it can be turned into something so distant from the truth. I bet that happens to some stereotypes. Parts of them are built off of something true, but they spiral into something totally different once it becomes a stereotype.
@greenfeathers (1206)
• United States
23 Oct 10
Stereotypes are a lazy person's way of dealing with the world around them. Its very easy for us to think of ourselves as individuals and therefore free of categories ourselves. The pity is that we can't/don't extend that way of thinking into the world around us. Its much easier than realizing/recognizing that anything done by anyone is the result of decisions made by that person and no one else..
And by the by, have you noticed that very many of the categorical/stereotype notions that folks hold as truth tend to be of a negative nature?..hmm..
ENJOY!
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
24 Oct 10
Stereotypes are just a way for us to group people into a category. I don't put a lot of truth into stereotypes. they often give you the wrong opinions of a person. each person is an individual and should be treated that way.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
24 Oct 10
Well they had to come somewhere. I think that even in the worst thing, sadly there has to be some reason and some justified reason at that. However, how a stereotype starts and how it eventually ends up where we are now, well that is two different things. There are certain things that are accepted to be true and to an extent, they are true for good reason.
However in life, there are many times where everything is not going to be completely true. There is a lot in life where I think that we have something in our head and we want to keep life rather simple. So these stereotypes eventually turn into what they are. Many of them have some degree of truth and I think that it is a vicious cycle. Many people are expected to act a certain way and perhaps some of them do act a certain way, because they believe that is what is expected of them. Still there is some truth, exactly how much is up for debate.
