Stereotypes, Any truth behind them? Options

[sakaitone]

There is another topic on stereotypes in the debate topic but it's about if you're bothered by them. I want to ask if there is any truth behind stereotypes. I think there's a difference,but I am not sure...

Plus sorry if there are any spelling mistakes because I am bad at spelling.


I hate stereotypes. It makes me mad because people talk to you, speak to you and see you differently because stereotypes have influnced thier beliefs. My friend says that people many hate stereotypes but most are true.

Well, do any of you think there is a truth behind stereotypes?

[*This Confession*]

I've always just didn't really understand them. I don't get why people can't just call you by your real name. And judge you only by the way you dress. Most sterotypes are that way. I think its just for people out there that can't understand diversity enough so they choose names that they'll know the person better. Also some people just don't want to get to know people. I'm not in the greatest mood to go on in a debate about this subject. so this posts isn't all that great.

[lKVNiiKINKYl]

I really don't know, but stereotypes have to stem from somewhere right? So maybe the do have some sort of basis...I know some of them are just plain stupid, but they all did not come from no where. For example, this might not be true everywhere, but everyone knows the stereotype with asians being smart. It just happens to be that the asian people that live around here have parents who believe in education so they push that in the kids and we "seem" smart because we (again, this is only in my area) put forth a little more in studying.
I do agree with you though, I don't like stereotypes one bit, but they can sometimes work to your advantage :D

[Frostedflakes616]

There are plenty of stereotypes for all kinds of cliques and races. If you have a myspace and have the people that posts 12323918 bullitens in a day, you shouldv'e seen the list of stereotypes people write and get sick of.

"I'm Asian so I must have skinny eyes."

"I'm Asian so i must be smart"

"I'm Black so I must love rap music

"I'm afghanie so I must be a terrorist"

"I'm Mexican so I must be good at soccer."

There is a lot more than this. There is nothing true about the stereotypes. Not all Asians have small eyes, not all Asians get good grades (me), not all mi dan people like rap, I know a bunch of nerdy ones that done. The Afghanie is just about the war but then not all Mexicans are good jugglers at soccer.

[demolished]

It depends how people sterotype and exagerated the truth.

[*RiC3xBoy*]

Some truth? Yes. How would you explain there even being sterotypes if it werent just a little truth unless someone got bored and made up a sterotype and people just started randomly spreading it around.

[Simba]

I see stereotypes as characteristics commonly found in those "groups," and are in fact, sometimes true.

I don't really like stereotyping though. People tend to exaggerate them.

[Paradox of Life]

Some truth? Yes. How would you explain there even being sterotypes if it werent just a little truth unless someone got bored and made up a sterotype and people just started randomly spreading it around.

Agreed. So .. here are a few stereotypes and please don't be offended.

Blondes ... sluts, party-girls, carefree, frivolous, unintelligent
Goths ... depressed, dark, cold, druggie, dislikes world, suicidal, Satanist
Emo ... music-inclined, whiny, emotional, trend-following, fake, annoying, bisexual, cutters
Cheerleader/Prep ... see "blondes"
Jock ... athletic, shallow, good-looking, masculine, popular, unintelligent
Druggie ... slow, unhappy, stupid, zoned out, unhygenic, hopeless
Nerds ... anti-social, bookworm, computer geek, straight A's, no friends, tucked in shirt, glasses, etc.

I think you get the point. Stereotypes are not black and white. There are definitely gray areas, which is where most people will fall in place. Just because you're a cheerleader, doesn't mean you're unintelligent. Just because you study a lot doesn't mean you have no friends. Just because you are bisexual or music-inclined, doesn't make you "emo". They're simply groups that teens have made to categorize (and judge) others.

[torey]

Supposedly, I am a ''prep who gets along with everyone''. On the contrary.

I have few friends, but many acquaintances. I have one best friend. Two very, very, very, very close friends. Then, I have three to four good friends. Then I have many acquaintances in which I get along with just fine, yet, do nothing with them save from school. Socially speaking, that is. Then, I have my family. I am fine with this as high school, in my opinion, is nothing but hypocrisy within dry-wall. Also, seeing as though the majority of these people will not be in my life after high school.

I suppose ''preps'' always wear pink. I do not. I like variety in any and everything. ''Preps'' are also ''goody two shoes''. Again, on the contrary. For the most part, I follow the rules, true. However, I do know that there are exceptions to rules.

. . . . I am so much more than what one perceives of me at first glance.

[push kicks]

of course there is some truth, that is how they are formed in the first place.

[melface]

Just like everyone else is saying... there is truth behind these stereotypes... but people only go by these stereotypes because those are characteristics in the majority of the so-called "group". We've all seen it... but in order not to fall into the stereotypical a-hole/bitch category, you have to remember to not be ignorant; you have to realize that you can't stereotype a person just from their skin color, clique, the sport they play, or ethnic background...

But I have to admit... I have stereotyped people before... right when I saw them... and it turned out that it was actually true.

[*ECD & C0*]

i think sterotypes are a majority so i mean alot of asians are smart but that does not mean that ALL asians are smart or ALL emo kids cut them selve you know what im saying. I think its just sort of first thing that comes to mind

you have to realize that you can't stereotype a person just from their skin color, clique, the sport they play, or ethnic background...

[kewl loser kid]

Some truth? Yes. How would you explain there even being sterotypes if it werent just a little truth unless someone got bored and made up a sterotype and people just started randomly spreading it around.

i agree with that.

i hate stereotypes. i hate it. people always label me. but its mainly the people that dont know that do. and it makes no sense because then they are just judging you. and its stupid. people assume im emo bc of the way i dress .. but that doesnt make me emo. they say im a poser because i can "dress emo" (which emo is just focused around music so theres no possible way to "dress emo") and then turn around and "dress preppy" but it doesnt make me a prep or a poser or even emo. its just clothes .. and i dress on my mood. so i mean people are stupid. judging on things they dont know.

ok. i went on and on. oops. :)

[*ECD & C0*]

judging on things they dont know.

that makes sence b/c just because you dress in all black one day does not mean you are emo/goth but one thing i hate is how people are like "omg im so depressed i want to die im so emo" and then you call them emo and they get pissed that annyoing

[*RockizLife*]

Ah, good ol' Stereotypes. Anybody else thinking high school yet?

I think there is some truth behind stereotypes. It's usually the majority of the "group" that is coined. I dislike them simply because they don't apply to every single person in that "group." Some of the nicest people I've ever known are preps. Some of the funniest people I know are "gangsta" and some of the smartest people I know smoke pot every day.

I personally don't mind being called a "rocker" or "emo." Sure, I'm laid back and I write poetry. That doesn't mean I do drugs, I'm depressed all the time, and I wear girl jeans. That's where I don't like stereotypes.

Get to know the individual. I am my own person who might contain certain attributes from various "groups," but that doesn't mean you need to label me as one.

[inthemudhole]

Of course there are grains of truth behind all stereotypes.
Stereotypes are generalizations, and everyone makes them, whether you realize it or not.

Stereotypes or generalizations are formed because of a large number of people within a 'group' (whether it's a style, clique, religion, race...whatever) share a common trait.

"All Asians are smart" was created because it seems like a lot of Asian parents are strict, and therefore put more pressure on their children to do well in school.

"All black people like rap" was created because it seems like the vast majority of rappers are black.

"All Jews are somehow associated with a lot of money" was created because it seems like a lot of Jews work within fields that require a lot of education, which means the jobs end up paying more.

"All Irish are drunks" was created because it seems like there are a lot of people in Ireland who drink.

"All goths are depressed" was created because it seems that a lot of "goths" dress in dark colors, which are often thought of as sad colors.

I could go on and on and on with these, but I won't...because you hopefully get my point now.

To sum it up: yes, the are grains of truth behind nearly all stereotypes. They were created because of a large amount of people in 'groups' who share a common trait. People see that common trait and associate that common trait with everyone within the group. Sometimes they're right, and sometimes they're wrong.

[seremela_culnamo]

there are truths behind stereotypes. most of the time, it isn't entirely true about someone or something. though there's obviously some reasons behind it to why stereotypes were created. it's just assumptions that were created in our minds and planted in there to make us live along with them. it's sometimes just a reaction for one to live with a stereotypical statement simply because they saw something before them that they have seen before. thus, they assume that it's the same situation, even though it may not be.

[cashmere deer]

Of course there is some truth to them. That's how people got them in the first place. The problem with society is just that we all label too broadly, and don't consider individuals as much.

[fameONE]

Stereotypes are true in the sense that they're still being kept alive. Obviously, since there are preconceived notions about a race or specific group of people, the stereotypes are steadily being perpetuated.

However, the often small fraction of those perpetuating the stereotypes are in the spotlight and those that don't live up to it are rarely noticed. For example; I do not dress like a Dope Boy. No white tees, no jeans saggin' off my ass and I actually lace up my AF1s, but without meeting me, I'm expected to just fit in to the image of the young Black male.

Unfortunately, those that are sheltered and aren't exposed to other races, or groups of people, seem to only see others in a stereotypical manner; so thats all they expect. Which explains why, being a young Black man, I get looked at like I have dick growing out of my forehead when people see that I don't fit many of the visual stereotypes.

Then again, when I smoked cigarettes; I smoked menthols. I love watermelon. Fried chicken is one of my favorite foods and even though 'red' is not a flavor of Kool Aid, I proudly claim to drink 'Red Kool Aid.' There's a very thin line when discussing stereotypes and being downright ignorant. Its all a matter of tact and intelligence.

[forza]

^ you have a point. I'm Italian, and frankly, I love garlic and all things associated with it. I do have family members in connection to the mafia. And yes ladies, it's true..

[pinayprincess]

well sterotypes can be viewed in a "wannabe" this kind of 'way' or as in a "assuming how one acts" kind of way...

the first way is like some kid tryna act 'punk' or 'ghetto'

the sec. way is like a adult assuming that all people who dress one way are all dangerous or 'mean' [you know]... well i totally hate sterotypes, but its one thing that cant really get down in society

[Frostedflakes616]

Stereotypes are way over exaggerated now-a-days. To me, there is no truth in stereotypes whatsoever. Most stereotypes apply to a "clique." Such as preps are stuck up, emos cry all the damn time, goth worship satan, jocks are shallow, etc. I don't believe in stereotypes and I hardly believe in the cliques that go along with it. I believe everyone is just a person and they have their own style.

People say I am a good example of what I'm saying. People say I look emo/goth, I act preppy. Or sometimes the other way around. A lot of people just think people are one thing, but they tend to be partially of some other clique. I met a kid that was supposively "emo" but he dressed preppy and all that. He was more preppy than he thought. Everyone thought he cuts because he was emo, but he never even had a scar anywhere on his body.

[ChaosPunx]

No stereotypes hardly have any truth behind them at all. Its all made up in peoples minds