Stereotypes Case

Stereotypes

Stereotypes are the organizational factors that virtually shape the way we think in 20th century America. They somehow manage to categorize some of life's most complex matters into distinct sections. Classifications and organization, at first glance seem to be useful in distinguishing various aspects of modern life. However, these grouping methods can be very inaccurate, not only leaving erroneous ideas in the minds of citizens on a global level but also stereotypes can have excessive damage and can have a very negative effect on the person in view or as a whole group. Stereotypes, though originating as convenient sorting mechanisms, instead, influence our thinking process. By instituting broad categories, establishing virtually immovable terms, and, often, being mistakenly identified as facts, stereotypes affect the mental process of humans. Stereotyping is not just another form of making fun of people, it also encourages rejection and outcast. Stereotyping is not only cruel and harmful to people, it can also have major effects on how a person behaves and acts towards other people. It also makes whoever is stereotyping look like a fool and forms barriers in communication and everyday life. Three major groups who are victims of stereotyping which I have encounter include African Americans, gender, and homosexual stereotyping.

Blacks are often portrayed as lazy, very religious, violent as well as ignorant individuals. I feel is because in this country the people who make a little more money and have never struggled in their life have this sense of superiority. Many blacks come from poor homes and neighborhoods, and have very little going for them. Their circumstances most of the time consist on a struggle to survive which can make them seem violent. Many of them chose the wrong path, becoming criminals, selling drugs, etc... But I feel as though stereotyping could be at fault for most instances. "Past studies have shown that people perform poorly in situations where they feel they are being stereotyped,"(Kernick, 2010) and it is true. Is society views you as a lazy, violent, ignorant individual them what is your motivation to push yourself to become a successful individual in society. Nothing! If you feel that the world views you as such, then what is the point on even trying? Therefore many of them conform to other people's ideas. They give up trying at a young age and make irreversible mistakes. Not only that but during the teenage years, we are all naive, impressionable and easily influenced. At that age associating yourself with the wrong group of individuals could ruin your life. Once you become a convicted felon, it is almost impossible to set yourself back on the right path. When viewed as such then the argument that blacks are lazy, violent and ignorant could be valid but what stereotyping does not acknowledge are the individuals who do succeed. The ones who push through the hardship and know what they want to accomplish in life. Just because a person is black doesn't mean they are not successful in life.

Another form of stereotyping which I personally encounter almost on a daily bases is gender stereotypes; more specifically to do with females. As a female Marine, I work in a predominantly testosterone based environment, makes me the underdog. I find myself trying to prove my worth on a daily bases. Biology shows that woman in fact are smaller beings and it has been proven that we have 40 percent less muscle mass than males, so in limens terms, yes we are "weaker."But don't let that word fool you, we can hold our own! Now what these ignorant individuals choose to overlook is the fact that at 64" inches weighting 120 pound, myself and well as all the other female Marines that graduated basic training, managed to carry the same 80 pounds the males carried as we hiked the same distances. As my Gunny says, we are "The fewer and the prouder." Also as females we are psychologically developed different, we have hopes of building a family and such, which males also view as a weakness. If a females chooses to have a child it automatically makes her lazy, when in fact it is the complete opposite. It takes a lot of energy and effort to raise a child, it is practically