Generalization Of Stereotypes

Stereotypes are generalizations that people create based on past actions of people of a race, nationality, or gender.It’s a more intense way to judge someone by basing it off their characteristics and creating the view of other people like them. Stereotypes can affect people’s understanding of themselves and their culture by, creating an image of negativity for a group, generalizing the way people see themselves, and not allowing for diversity in groups.

To begin stereotypes and perceptions can lead to groups having a negative image. Stereotypes can create a generalization for the group or race and make people see everybody from that group or race the same. Creating a void in people being able to make their own image making it very hard for their group or race to thrive. As stated in the prompt, “these characteristics tend to be an oversimplification of the groups involved” (Little 1). To elaborate people creating stereotypes and perceptions are oversimplifying those people and creating a view that they all will be affected by.

Moreover stereotypes can even generalize the way people see themselves and behave.

Especially in children, they might start to believe that because they’re this race or because they’re apart of this group they have to behave and act a certain way. Once again stopping them from making an image for themselves and letting themselves follow in line as their members do. As stated in the prompt, “The problem with stereotypes is that they suggest that groups of people are inherently prone to certain behavior” (Little 10). In other words stereotypes make people act certain way and let them create in their mind that it’s okay because their part of a certain race and let them blame their actions on their race. Instead of creating their own positive image for

themselves.
Furthermore stereotypes can create a void in diversity in groups, letting people think that that’s how their race is or that’s what their group does. Stereotypes become truth because the people in the groups let affect them and let it create an image for them instead of being diverse and going out to thrive and create their own view. People let stereotypes swallow them and shape them when they’re supposed to shape themselves and form their own life. Even genders shouldn’t determine your place in the world, “Neher practiced and participated in every activity with the boys” (Herald 18). Going deeper, even though she is female she plays football, not caring about what’s “normal” for girls. She is making her own life and doing things that most people see as a mens sport not letting her gender define who she is or what she does.
To sum up, stereotypes and generalizations often times molds people and makes them follow what their “supposed to do” according to their groups stereotypes. Many people let stereotypes define who they become instead of making their own path or doing what they want. Stereotypes create an enormous follow the leader affect, and affects people in a very negative way.