Stereotypes In Our Society

Actuate

“Once you label me you negate me.” (Soren Kierkegaard) A stereotype is defined as a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. In essence, a stereotype is an unreliable generalization about all members of a group that do not take differences into account. Stereotypes are a form of prejudice. Prejudice is defined as a negative attitude toward an entire category of people. They are often expressed through ethnophaulisms (ethnic slurs or disrespectful speech) and acts of discrimination. Discrimination is defined as the denial of opportunities and equal rights to individuals and groups. Stereotypes can be generated, accepted, perpetuated, adopted, ingrained, changed, or learned.

Stereotypes

Similar to terms like “race” and “love,” the term “stereotype” is a social construct. This social construct of categorization, stereotypes, is a perpetual phenomenon that throughout time persists to institute new regimes of power. It also imposes the views, behaviors, and established preconceived notions on others. The behaviors imposed are sometime developed into established roles for a group or individual, such as gender roles. These roles then become an intricate part of the structuring and functioning of society. Stereotypes have an immensely powerful influence within society. Stereotypes are both social and psychological threats to individuals and society as a whole. Stereotypes, when accepted, act as unreliable generalizations or labels used as impediments to categorize and amalgamate or ostracize an individual and/or group, implicitly or explicitly. They are generally generated not by what you do but by how individuals and society perceive it and label it. Once a society accepts a set of stereotypes, people lose the ability to value others and their uniqueness and lose sight of how their differences contribute to society. A society that practices discrimination fails to recognize and utilize elements of the society that can prevent discourse, and the possible disrupt of the social system or potential decrease in

The acceptance and use of stereotypes can also result in denunciation and the ignominy of others, which affects an individual’s mental health by increasing stress and anxiety, and reducing their self-esteem. Reducing an individual’s self-esteem can be problematic because it can alter an individual’s state of mind and outlook on life. This can cause task performance subversion, (e.g. in professional endeavors, academics, and sport), depression, disengagement, and many other social and psychological problems. Labels can also be used to