The Subject of Stereotypes

1. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 4 years ago

   
   I was listening to a program in which the host indicated that the bases of stereotypes are based somewhat on facts.  One movie put it more succinctly that the bases of fairy tales are facts & the bases of facts are fairy tales.   What is your position regarding stereotypes- are they based upon facts or just  illogical hyperbole?

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   1. 61

      TessSchlesingerposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      People who are blond are bimbos?
      People who are Jewish are monsters?
      Atheists eat babies?
      Black people are dumb?
      Unemployed people are lazy?
      
      Lived in too many places, met too many people, etc. to think there is any truth in stereotypes.

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      1. 87

         MizBejabbersposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Wise reply, Tess, but I think that Grace left out one important factor in her question, prejudice. She asks "..are they based upon facts or just  illogical hyperbole?" That is unless she is lumping prejudice under "illogical hyperbole." But I believe in calling a "spade" a spade. There is some illogical hyperbole, but a lot of prejudice in stereotyping, especially when it comes to racial or ethnic stereotyping.

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2. 76

   Castlepalomaposted 4 years ago

   I have more trouble with white people than all other races combined.
   Would that make me reverse racist?
   
   Or do I just get along with most people in this world. Or, what do I care, when all the colors get mixed, you get brown.

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3. 61

   Live to Learnposted 4 years ago

   I've been wondering a lot about stereotypes recently, also. I know your special focus is usually negatively stereotyping lower income people and parents with multiple kids. My curiosity runs more toward gender and the mushrooming desire to create more recognized genders. I believe the unhealthy buy in to stereotypes drives it.
   
   Stereotypical thinking, when it comes to human beings and interpersonal relationships is just lazy and indicative of an inability to empathize and a desire to just lump people into categories without bothering to listen and learn who they are.
   
   It's also indicative of an individual's insecurity in themselves on one level and an over developed sense of self worth on another.  'I've stereotyped every one of you and assume you find me lacking by that stereotype, yet I am so unique I need a label you will universally use when viewing me.' type of philosophy.
   
   So my opinion of creating new definitions to stereotype increasingly smaller groups is just exacerbating an already problematic tendency our species has of writing others off with a flippant stereotype.

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4. 76

   Castlepalomaposted 4 years ago

   I can not write anyone off when they have a keen desire or passion to something similar to myself. I can find 95% of the time  something to agree upon with just about anyone, although that 5% disagreeable part can be a bit_h.

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