Stereotyping much?

Stereotyping much

Stereotype: An often unfair and untrue belief confirming to a fixed or general pattern; especially a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude or uncritical judgement.

We all have opinions and sentiments. Fair enough, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion!

But society holds some conventional attitudes on the proper lifestyles of people from different regions and you can definitely rely on its conclusion because when is it ever wrong?

For instance:

  • Bengali: Bong, Fish eater, Roshogolla, Self-centred, Intellectual
  • Marwari: Businessmen, Dhokla, Garbha, Sweet food, Big family
  • Sikh: Loud, Food, Alcohol, Fat, Business
  • South Indian: Idli-dosa, Telugu-Tamil, Gold lover, Dark-Skinned
  • North Eastern: Fashionable, Mongoloid, Dog eater, Music lover, Football
  • Haryanvi: Jat, Aggressive, Rugged tone, Sport

Well these are some of the first-hand perceptions that we Indians generally have about fellow inhabitants of the great land! Although the prejudiced notions are simple truths usually applicable for a few folks, these are often generalized and applied (often incorrectly) to a whole group of people and at times prove to be hurtful and oppressive.

Stereotypes create an air about how people are and how they live in other cultures, religions or countries. It is deeply rooted in our society.

Consider the gender profiling which assumes that

  • Boys are messy and unclean; Girls are tidy and clean.
  • Girls are submissive, home-oriented, dependent and not aggressive; Boys are dominant, worldly, independent and aggressive.
  • Girls are soft, tender and emotional; Guys are tough, less sensitive to other’s feelings and logical.
  • Guys are blunt and not nurturing; Girls are tactful and nurturing.
  • Girls are only concerned about physical appearance, boys are not!

At each and every step, you’ve a label on you which propagates that of course  you can live your life freely, just keep in mind what your sex, race, origin, caste is and live how society expects you to live!

If this was not enough, we have global stereotypes already telling you that

  • All arabs and muslims are terrorists
  • Italian/French are the best lovers
  • All Asians are intelligent.
  • All American are generally friendly, open-minded.
  • White people are all racists.

This cannot not be true for every person belonging to that group!

What happened to celebrating individualities? A few observations cannot speak for masses. Generalizing something takes away the diversity.  We are not a flock of sheep, we are individuals and have different, unique tastes and ways of living.

Avoid stereotypes that could be harmful.Pre-judgement scoops out the possibility of finding uniqueness!

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