Stereotypes

1. A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.

2. One that is regarded as embodying or conforming to a set image or type.

I know this is a deep subject for a Friday, but a brief discussion in our clan forum got me started thinking of how stereotypes come about and their affect on how we view others.  The all knowing and accurate (sarcasm there) Wikipedia says

"Stereotypes are ideas held about members of particular groups, based primarily on membership in that group. They may be positive or negative prejudicial, and may be used to justify certain discriminatory behaviors. Some people consider all stereotypes to be negative. Stereotypes are rarely completely accurate, based on some kernel of truth, or completely fabricated. Different disciplines give different accounts of how stereotypes develop: Psychologists focus on how experience with groups, patterns of communication about the groups, and intergroup conflict. Sociologists focus on the relations among groups and position of different groups in a social structure.

There are definitely a few stereotypes represented in this community:  women, gamers, men, married, etc and variations of those groups.  I have always fought, either consciously or not, to not fit into the common stereotypes.  I have owned, fenced, planted and built my "castle", raised and plucked chickens, rode cattle pens, worked a feedlot, bartended, was a "bouncer" and was in a sorority in college.  Even there I bucked the system and tried to break out of the stereotype of a sorority girl.  All of this from a suburbia girl. I don't like the stereotype and at times I react to hearing others refer to a group of people in a general manner. 

On the other hand, most stereotypes come about there are people who fit the behavior or definition.  There are women who treat their husbands badly or don't listen to them, men who are lazy and don't help out around the house, asians who can't drive, bad tempered Italians, the list can go on, I'm sure.  So, how do we break this habit of categorizing people and lumping them all together in one group?  I know, I have been told not to be so sensitive but I'm an individual and I revel in that fact and try very hard to be me.  By ignoring the comments and allowing them to perpetuate, I feel we are doing a disservice to others and ourselves.  I'm not perfect, will never claim to be perfect and will apologize when I screw up.  Does that make me different, it shouldn't, that was how I was raised.  "Never judge a book by its cover" (I know cliche) 

Now are there some people who fit the stereotypes, sure, but, is it just coincidence that they do?  How many other "people" exhibit the same behavior but since they aren't in that particular group no one thinks twice about it.  It is only when someone in that group exhibits that particular behavior that people feel justified saying "See, I told you he/she would do that, it is in their nature, they all do."  Are you guilty of this?  Sadly, I have to say I am and I'm not proud of it.  But, I also mentally kick myself to stop.

Ok, I'm off the soapbox. 

Have a good weekend all!

Keep on Go!