Why Stereotyping Makes Everyone Look Bad

[close2heaven]

Just a few good examples

Stereotypes bring out the ultimate worst hatred people have, no matter how often you claim how good or bad you say you are. If you make a generalized statement against anyone, no matter what it's based on, be it gender, race, age, religion, etc. It is pretty obvious (to me) on the whole that the issue isn't just one person or a few people; even as much as we don't like to admit that any of us do it. We're human and it happens. We're not far from perfect. Regretfully, I think it's apparently the truth that no one is immune to making one such accusation because we're all subjected to the same outward generalizations everywhere in life and it's unavoidable. These generalized beliefs that you feel are true are most likely just the opposite.

Let's think about the most obvious lines which we see most common across this site: males and females. The inescapable statements shared over and over every day that "why are guys..." or "why do girls..." is seriously out of control. It's hard to go a single day anywhere on the site that isn't littered with one poliferation of this or another because it's what seems to be what the accepted belief is by society you share against the each other across the board while there's no inherent truth to it.

The overall fact that ties all stereotypes into one is purely rooted in good and bad behavior. Good behavior is accepted and very little is made of it. Bad behavior stands out like a sore thumb and everyone is quick to jump on it. This is what perpetuates the ugly cycle. Obviously not all guys are "always ready for sex" or "always afraid to show their feelings" and all women don't always "make themselves look fake or like a slut." The people out there that make themselves stand out that way among others give the majority that don't do it a bad name (seriously think about that a minute. How many people can you honestly name that do those things vs those that don't. Is the issue really true of everyone?) It's always the exceptions and never the rules.

So why do people use stereotypes? It's simple - because people are lazy and they're an easy way out. Stereotypes are the easiest way for people to get a point out there without having to think about and detail the true meaning of what they want to say for their specific question. Society has held onto this bad behavior and allowed it to be popularized which makes it a loaded gun waiting to be fired. People can get away without judgment for much of the time because it's just how life is lived on ther periphery and without any contemplation of the truths that lay below it.

The long and short of this all means that we aren't all bad people and we're not all good people purely because we use them. What it does mean is that not only are most of us lazy, but hypocrites as well because we can say we don't like them being used against us because whichever one isn't true for you specifically, yet we still use them against others without second thought. You can deny it all you want, but if you think back to any point in your life, I guarantee you'll find a big example of a time where you have.

In the end of all of this, to all of the GaGers on here, shame on you for allowing yourself to let this happen. However, after all that's been said and done in this myTake, what's bigger in my eyes, though is:

SHAME ON ME.

[bklynbadboy1]

People stereotype you because they feel the need to categorize something for me I don't really care cuz I don't really care what people think of me all that matters to me is what I think of me so that's why I pay no attention to stereotypes

[Volvagia]

ye fuck stereotypes they suck

[BonnieBunny]

(๑°ㅁ°๑)‼✧

[hellionthesagereborn]

I find this amusing as the picture used (the two white people who are gossiping (and probably talking about racist things) behind the black guys back) is itself a stereotype, and one that is provably false. Also their is a reason why stereotypes exist and to dismiss them out of hand is absurd. For instance it is actually provable that women are less inclined towards the maths and non social sciences. This is fact, schools and organizations have been doing everything to get women into these programs even shutting down programs that didn't have enough female participants (and screwing over males who where more then happy to get involved in the STEM fields) and helping cover costs etc and still women do not get into STEM fields in general and when they do they have the highest drop out rates. That's not saying that women cannot do it, its not saying that they shouldn't do it, its saying what is observably true, that women are not interested in those fields. Many other stereotypes are based upon facts, not all (as I previously pointed out, but many and to ignore them is rather absurd. That doesn't mean you should treat individuals differently or punish them based upon their particular groups tendencies, it only means that we should acknowledge that while people are different, so are groups. Most people do not demand that women cannot do science, what they state is they generally don't want to do science but if they are interested they are more then welcome to do so (and have done so for hundreds of years).

[close2heaven]

the image is an example only and covers men, women and racial examples. you're completely right about debunking each thing, but you're being far too literal with each of those rather than on the whole. I have no idea if this is intentional or not, but I'm not going to deny them as they're all valid.

[hellionthesagereborn]

I don't think I am being "to literal" at all. As I said we have stereotypes for a reason and a blanket attack on them is unfair. I mean again, they could be wrong (as I pointed out) but that's also why we analyze them. For instance you only see white people as racists, that's the stereotype, is it correct though? Well if we look at the data you would find that blacks are actually twice as likely to commit hate crimes then whites. So the stereotype is wrong (however if we look at historically, it was historically probably a hell of a lot more accurate so their was a seed of truth but times have changed). If you look many stereotypes are true or in some cases where true but are not any more so its important that we don't just claim that all stereotypes are bad and then move on. If a stereotype is bad it should be analyzed because that tells us a lot about the condition of certain groups. For example, blacks being more likely to commit crimes, is it true?

[hellionthesagereborn]

Well statistically, yes. Over half of all murders and robberies are commited by blacks statistically speaking so people stereotyping them as such is accurate, its not good but it is accurate. Now what do we do with that? Well we know see a stereotype so you gather data and find that, this is a recent development. That is it has not always been the case so now you know something changed what was it? In this case fatherlessness (several factors came into play around the 60s when we start to see a rapid rise in violence within the black communities from the corruption of gangs (who originally served as protectors of the community against violent hate groups like KKK or neo Nazi's and white supremacist) to welfare and the encouragement of casual sex (sexual revolution)). So now we know that their was a problem and its thanks to the stereotype. So what then? Well if you look at the past Italians and Irish both had this stereotype (and it was actually accurate at the time) so this stereotype

[hellionthesagereborn]

put a negative view on those groups. Those groups decided they didn't much like that stereotype so they actively began policing their communities and using social pressure on wrong doers to keep them in line, eventually this worked and crime reduced and they integrated into the larger community and the stereotype was abandoned. Again, we have them for a reason they serve a function. But again as I stressed before that does not mean you apply those stereotypes to the individual, for instance again, (and I know I am going to get in trouble for what I already wrote because its a sensitive topic (but it won't get fixed if we don't discuss this honestly and openly)) within the black community their is the stereotype of violence, does that mean all blacks are violent? NO! Of course not, in fact its a very violent MINORITY of them that are responsible (and most of them are in their teen early 20s once they get to mid twenties they for lack of a better word "calm down")

[hellionthesagereborn]

So again, I think claiming stereotypes makes everyone look bad, or that they shouldn't exist or that we should not have them is not a fair assessment, you need to look at why they are their, are they accurate and if so how do we fix the problem so they no longer are accurate? They perform a vital function in our society, it paints a group with a broad brush but ultimately this actually benefits the individual in the long run because it forces every one within that community to actively fix what ever problem that exists within their community or acknowledge that their is a problem in ones perception (in the case of women in STEM for instance, it is predominantly biology not social conditioning). That's all I am trying to get at.

[close2heaven]

there's no way in a hundred years that you could go through and identify EVERY stereotype for a picture. of course, you're playing the victim, which enters your stereotype that everyone hates you and that everyone, everywhere is directly plotting against only you. your stereotype applies to everyone on the face of the earth as well and is just as wrong as the ones used against you, which, by the way, are completely valid. just stop and take one specific example and see that your replies are exactly why the title exists.

[hellionthesagereborn]

How am I playing a victim exactly? I just stated multiple examples of how stereotypes are accurate, how the racist white person was not an inaccurate one originally but it is now, the criminal black one wasn't accurate in the past but is now and how we should look at the stereotypes and figure out why they exist so that we can either fix what ever problem they point out to for the betterment of all people (and especially for the people within that group) and to help create a level of assimilation so that the different groups don't end up in conflict and hating each other because neither of them can reconcile their differences (which is what we are seeing now). I never claimed to be a victim, in fact I gave verifiable statistical data to back up my statements then explained why they existed.

[hellionthesagereborn]

I don't understand the hostility unless your upset that I brought race into this but then that was already part of your take to begin with and I just wanted to point out the root problems that exist and need to be resolved so that people don't go for this feel good solution that will ultimately just cause greater strife (open honest and well intentioned criticism is absolutely necessary for an individual to understand their flaws and grow and develop into the best person they can be, the same applies to groups and cultures. Would you be upset that people criticized whites for bein racist then? I mean, if it exists then shouldn't we call it out so it can be rectified?

[hellionthesagereborn]

That's what stereotypes are, a type of social pressure and in some cases shaming that pressures people into fixing problems or conforming to some kind of standards so we can all work together (obviously it can go to far when you demand absolute identical cultures and ideologies, but it can also cause damage not being implemented. If you cannot criticize then you cannot call on a person to become better then what they are, this is all social pressure like stereotypes and "shaming" tactics are for. Which again is also why its important to analyze them to make sure they are up to date and are in fact accurate (because cultures don't quite adapt as fast as things change). Their is no animosity or self victimization in any of my statements, I was just trying to be as intellectually honest as I could.

[Tedster420]

I'm a support worker in the community. I deal with people in poverty. From first hand experience I can tell you that in terms of stereotypes, there's no worse place to see it fed and perpetuated than at the government level. It's a means of social control with no benefit or positive effects. I can see this when I interact with the homeless and those afflicted with addiction. If you wanna kill stereotyping, you need to look at the actions that keep it there on the local level because these people represent you directly.

[close2heaven]

I want to say thank you for the work you're doing. It's a terrible thing to fight against an unforgiving government and you're doing you're best. I really admire you for it.

[JMghow]

I might have been more inclined to believe this as a younger man, but now I've lived long enough to see too many come true. We may be individuals on the micro scale, but on the macro scale stereotypes exist for a reason. Snakes bite, bees sting, flowers smell sweet and hungry wolves eat meat. These are generalizations, but generally true. These are useful for not having to relearn every lesson at each encounter. Sure, it may not be good for the one being prejudged, but that doesn't mean it's not good for the one judging. It could even save their life. I will never demand the sheep sacrifice it's own well-being for the sake of the wolf. Only a monster would.

[IlyaTheImpaler]

So why do Algebraists use stereotypes? it's simple, because Algebraists are lazy and they're an easy way out. Stereotypes are the easiest way for Algebraists to get a point out there without having to think about and detail the true meaning of what they want to say for their specific question.

en.wikipedia.org/.../Equivalence_class
It goes like this: relations -> equivalence relations -> quotients/stereotypes.
So then the pattern for every function is they decompose into an inclusion (injective function), followed by stereotyping (bijective function), followed by a canonical projection (surjective function)

[Smegskull]

If you don't like stereotypes go talk to a lion. Them being dangerous is a stereotype and "stereotypes are bad".
Stereotyping is pattern recognition that has developed over millions of years, I highly doubt that you outsmart millions of years of trial and error experimentation.

[close2heaven]

your point is extremely valid. that being said, it doesn't mean that it's ok and yes, it ruins so many people around you be you simply think it's safe to make that assumption, no matter how long it's been around and you think it's ok to still escape under it.

[Edanurus]

Stereotyping is necessary when talking about groups. The problem is when people try to apply them to individuals or try to make it seem like acknowledging stereotypes means you see them as blanket statements.

Example you want to help people in low class areas too have to stereotype the area so you can efficiently work on the problem.

[Kemil_Zhoki]

"If you make a generalized statement against anyone, no matter what it's based on, be it gender, race, age, religion, etc. It is pretty obvious (to me) on the whole that the issue isn't just one person or a few people; even as much as we don't like to admit that any of us do it."

Perhaps necessary, but I still find it funny that you used a generalized statement in order to blast generalized statements.

[close2heaven]

if you read the last 3 words of the myTake, you'll find that this reply is entirely unnecessary

[TheHillsRAlive]

Unfortunately I think it's an ugly part of the human nature to apply stereotypes

[close2heaven]

which is exactly why I felt I needed to address why they're used. it's a terrible thing that we've allowed ourselves to be this way :/

[TsundereMatrix]

It’s true. I’m stereotyped for my hair colour which does not define me in any way. I know so many other people with those traits that don’t have my hair colour.

[esotericstory]

Knowledge is defined by what we dont know rather by what we do, therefore stereotypes are an evolutionary conservative estimate of what other people might be like. In a world with little globalization stereotypes are next to non-existent, but a world with high rates of globalization has rampant stereotypes. This the future the liberals chose for us. Now we have to live with it.

[Paris13]

Them Dems, Sore Losers, Liberals, Snowflakes and Millennials.
SHAME ON THEM. xxoo

[BigRob420]

Stereotyping isn't all that bad. When shitty people use it to say the color of a person's skin has more to do with personality type than the difference in the size of a person's thumbs, then it becomes a problem.

[ng210821]

Try this... Start at the stereotype and the then discredit the stereotype by paying attention to what the person says vs how they act, then make your assessment never judge by anyone elses pov

[close2heaven]

if I had the intention of writing a massive thesis on it, maybe I would have. however, I chose to hit the highlights and you can do the work if you're really that worried about it.

[hans1416]

On the contrary, stereotypes are a very effective way of dealing with groups of people, as well as with strangers. We all use stereotypes of all kinds, and they serve us well. Refusal to apply stereotypes will get you hurt and even killed.

[WhitePanther88]

@RolandCuthbert Slavic men are not all a bunch of violent sociopaths who beat their women please read.

[RolandCuthbert]

I never said they did. I think you need to read that yourself.

I never met a Slavic man who beat his wife.

My buddy has a t-shirt that says, "I am married to a Russian woman, don't make me use her!"

Haha!!!

[WhitePanther88]

@RolandCuthbert is this the racist Russian friend you respect so much?

[RolandCuthbert]

He isn't racist. But he is Russian. He is in his 50s. He left before the fall of the Soviet Union. He is a brilliant man. More brilliant than you can understand.

He created a platform for tracking foot traffic at events. It is a splendid way to determine the success of certain exhibitions at a venue. Creating technology solutions for event marketing agencies is his field.

We have grown close because we are in closely related fields.

[WhitePanther88]

@RolandCuthbert of course he did but according to you he's a violent sociopath who won't let his daughter date non-Slavic men lol

[RolandCuthbert]

Of course he isn't a violent sociopath.

Nor are Russian or Slavic men.

They are just proud people. They have a right to be proud.

Good for them.

:D

[WhitePanther88]

@RolandCuthbert so pride in your mind manifests in violent actions.

[RolandCuthbert]

Who says it manifests in violent actions? If you said something derogatory about Russian culture to my friend. He would probably just stop talking to you.

He has better things to do than engage you.

[WhitePanther88]

@RolandCuthbert you have repeatedly

[RolandCuthbert]

Repeatedly what?

[GayHowellMeme]

I stereotype sometimes because it actually makes sense to the majority group of people

[AA-ron]

I like stereotype jokes and I make them as well.
I'd say I'm a pretty swell guy

[ThisAndThat]

All men are stereotyped and all women are doing it. I've just had to deal with it.

[close2heaven]

we all have, it just makes each of us look bad for continuing to do it

[crazydewd]

This is pretty laughable. If you erase all stereotyping, you remove a substantial amount of the best jokes ever written by brilliant comedians. Not all stereotypes are based on "ultimate hate". Sometimes people don't understand differences of another group and they joke or usually make a claim about the other group based on anecdotal experience with that group. It's so shameful to be human and to not know everything and everyone 🙄

[close2heaven]

not hate, ignorance perpetuated by ignorance

[MLGbreezy]

But not all stereotypes are bad in fact most have a bit of truth behind them good or bad