Labeling, Is stereotyping fair? Options

[Paradox of Life]

Calling someone a goth or punk or prep or goody-two-shoes, etc. Is it really fair to judge people? Or is it just an organized classification of people that could fall in those catagories? Is it fair to say that all are the same? Is it being racist in any way? Please post your opinions.

[the_pluto_volta]

umm . . . DUH ! stereotyping sucks ass

why should anyone care what someone's taste in style is ?
they shouldn't


That's y soo many of my friends are . . . . different
lots of people dont like me at my school cuz of the way i wear my hair

they reaaalllly piss me off
love forever

~{Kizatt}~

[sammi rules you]

yes, but what are the chances that they are? its not realistic. the truth is that in the real world people tha tlook like that do drugs, sleep around, etc. etc. But you can also be a preppy rich kid and get drugged up and go around banging chicks all day.

yea, actually it's more the "preppy" kids that do drugs and sleep around and such. i'm friends with a lot of the people you're talking about (as i am "preppy" people as well) and none of them act like that.

well maybe they should stop dressing like fools, get themselves a suit or something and get a real job.

they're not dressing like fools. and i bet they can make more money than you can, in a band perhaps? or they can work at hot topic? or ANYWHERE THAT YOU CAN WORK?

yes, there are, and then again where would we be without them? Who would work at all of the mcdonalds in the world? And all of thoese other minimum wage stores for the rest of their lives?
And please dont tell me 'well maybe they want to live that way, and they are happy without having money' well, the truth is they arent, they arent happy struggling to live, wondering if they'll have enough food stamps left. No one is happy like that.

i worked at mcdonald's thank you very much.
my friend, tony, dresses "like that" and he has an internship at a major office building..he wears suits to work and stuff, but when he's off he'll be himself.

you're really discriminatory, and you're pissing me off. usually the people who sleep around and stuff end up on food stamps cause they don't have enough money to pay for their kid.

[karrar]

^ you go girl

[OriskybusinessO]

usually the people who sleep around and stuff end up on food stamps cause they don't have enough money to pay for their kid.

that is true. but it is usually the people that dress like freaks, or poor, or hicks, or if they ARE poor, or a hick, or a freak, that this happens to. The people that dress nice, have well groomed hair are the ones that succed in life.

[lAzN YiN YanGl]

that is true. but it is usually the people that dress like freaks, or poor, or hicks, or if they ARE poor, or a hick, or a freak, that this happens to. The people that dress nice, have well groomed hair are the ones that succed in life.

You just keep adding to the labeling. Yes, you are right that the well groomed people succeed in life, but other people who don't fit your image succeed as well. Succeeding isn't being a movie star, or being the richest or hottest person alive. It varies with each person so I could have a million piercings and still have succeeded. Just because people are poor and dress badly doesn't mean anything. If they are determined to do it, then they will achieve succees you ignorant bastard.

[*Programmer*]

gotta love stereotyping....it's america's past time...and it still happens today...

[Kill_Drake]

labeling is a natural process but it's not something that i personally consier to be 'right'. labelling has led to many problems in the past, especially involving race or music.

in america, when slavery was still around (and for long after), black people were labelled inferior to white people. as were most/all "minorities" [ah, another label!]. this was/is not right to do...and despite the enlightened thought that supposedly swept through our country, it's evident that racial labelling is still around. it is wrong, and most intelligent people know that it's wrong.

music was also something that gained labels in our history. rock n' roll used to be the devils music, if my grandparents' memories are correct. now, we've grown out of that label as well as a society.

think of all the labels that still exist. all the things that are stereyotyped and haranged for television's purposes. it's insane, and stupid, and it's always been my opinion that labeling and stereyotyping should be stoped...

...even though it's a natural process.
we will evolve, our minds will grow, i hope it's in this lifetime (or i'm liable to go completely bonkers)

[OriskybusinessO]

You just keep adding to the labeling. Yes, you are right that the well groomed people succeed in life, but other people who don't fit your image succeed as well. Succeeding isn't being a movie star, or being the richest or hottest person alive. It varies with each person so I could have a million piercings and still have succeeded. Just because people are poor and dress badly doesn't mean anything. If they are determined to do it, then they will achieve succees you ignorant bastard.

Succed in doing what? If you mean a minum wage job is enough for them and they are happy with themselves living in some cheap ass trailer or apt. with 12 other slackers, I wouldnt call that succeding. My dad owns his own business and we always have these slackers we have to hire. That have tattos, peircings and cant get a better job because they didnt go to college.

[sammehmyst]

Succed in doing what? If you mean a minum wage job is enough for them and they are happy with themselves living in some cheap ass trailer or apt. with 12 other slackers, I wouldnt call that succeding. My dad owns his own business and we always have these slackers we have to hire. That have tattos, peircings and cant get a better job because they didnt go to college.

ok. i've read all your posts and you get off topic, unintentionally, but you don't notice it.

you aren't even debating about the topic. all you are doing is promoting what you think is right. you're saying that the way you dress and stuff is better than other types of people.

get on topic, kiddo!

[Paradox of Life]

i think labeling is ok in this case: some people that bitch about labeling (im not saying you are) that DO dress in all black, have blue hair and multiple facial pericings deserve it. HELLO!! If you wear things like that and look like an idiot, you deserve to be labeled an idiot.

But its natural, and we mainly bring it on ourselves. All of us that shop at AF and Hollister and AE, we are preps.

I cant think right now...

... What the hell? People who dress in all black, have blue hair or multiple facial piercings aren't idiots o_o; You can't call someone an idiot because of what they look like. That's really unfair and that was the whole topic of debate. Judging someone by how they dress, etc is unfair. I guess it's okay to label as a reflex and as just a quick assumption. But I don't think it's fair to stereotype as all goths smoke and cut and all preps are stupid and dimwitted blondes.

...people think they're up to no good just because of how they look...

well maybe they should stop dressing like fools, get themselves a suit or something and get a real job.

there's many jobs for people who look a certain way.

yes, there are, and then again where would we be without them? Who would work at all of the mcdonalds in the world? And all of thoese other minimum wage stores for the rest of their lives?
And please dont tell me 'well maybe they want to live that way, and they are happy without having money' well, the truth is they arent, they arent happy struggling to live, wondering if they'll have enough food stamps left. No one is happy like that.

I have not seen a single person dressing in all black, etc working for a McDonalds or cleaning the toilets or doing any uneducated minimum wage job. I have however seen people like that getting rich and leading extremely successful lives like Slayer, Good Charlotte, Metallica, Simple Plan, Green Day. It's complicated and it takes a lot of hard work traveling and performing all around the world. And it takes intelligence to be able to master an instrument and they do have musical talent. I dress in all black and would fall into your category of "idiot" and I won my school spelling bee and I'm the 11th best speller in the 35,000 kids of the district. I play violin and piano and I've gotten many art awards.
And some people just like the style.
Alright, that just sums up everything I've wanted to say for the last 30 posts.

[innovation]

i think that in a way, most teens actually want to be stereotyped and labeled. why else would so many people embrace goth/punk/emo/prep/whatever culture so fully? they want to develop a distinct personality while feeling as if they belong to a community.

[Spirited Away]

Succed in doing what? If you mean a minum wage job is enough for them and they are happy with themselves living in some cheap ass trailer or apt. with 12 other slackers, I wouldnt call that succeding.

Maybe people who live in cheap ass places succeeded in knowing love for each other and raising a family that appreciates the little things that the rest of the world take for granted.

Success is trivial because like beauty, it is in the eye of the beholder. I could careless about a millionaire if he/she doesn't know the first thing about community and respect. I'd say that they are successful in society, but not successful in being human.

I used to live in a barn. That how poor my family was, but we weren't slackers. Never that. I hate when people assume that all poor people put themselves into that position. Have you ever thought that maybe they were born into poverty and is struggling to get out of it? Some are more fortunate in their endeavor, but the opportunity may have never presented itself to others. If you call that slacking and I'll call you naive.

My dad owns his own business and we always have these slackers we have to hire. That have tattos, peircings and cant get a better job because they didnt go to college.

Do you work for your Dad? It's your Dad's fault that he doesn't know how to hire competent help. What does that say about your Dad?

[lAzN YiN YanGl]

Succed in doing what? If you mean a minum wage job is enough for them and they are happy with themselves living in some cheap ass trailer or apt. with 12 other slackers, I wouldnt call that succeding. My dad owns his own business and we always have these slackers we have to hire. That have tattos, peircings and cant get a better job because they didnt go to college.

Did you even read my post? Let me bold it for you

Succeeding isn't being a movie star, or being the richest or hottest person alive. It varies with each person so I could have a million piercings and still have succeeded.

And for what AkaRyux said

I have however seen people like that getting rich and leading extremely successful lives like Slayer, Good Charlotte, Metallica, Simple Plan, Green Day.

They have tattoos, and all those things that you said cause people to be poor. Are they not "successful" in your eyes?

[sammi rules you]

OriskybusinessO, may i point out that hot topic, where "those people" shop at, is owned by the same people as abercrombie. that said, hot topic is quite expensive, as is abercrombie (apparently these people want LOTS of money). if these people are such poor slackers, how do they afford such expensive clothes?

thought i might point that out.

[OriskybusinessO]

ok. i've read all your posts and you get off topic, unintentionally, but you don't notice it.

you aren't even debating about the topic. all you are doing is promoting what you think is right. you're saying that the way you dress and stuff is better than other types of people.

get on topic, kiddo!

yea, i know... i should probably stop talking about it but if i do they'll think ive run out of things to say, and they are right, but i havent... I would like to stop 'fighting', its not really debating anymore, but like i said before...


... What the hell? People who dress in all black, have blue hair or multiple facial piercings aren't idiots o_o; You can't call someone an idiot because of what they look like. That's really unfair and that was the whole topic of debate. Judging someone by how they dress, etc is unfair. I guess it's okay to label as a reflex and as just a quick assumption. But I don't think it's fair to stereotype as all goths smoke and cut and all preps are stupid and dimwitted blondes.

I know that i wouldnt want to be friends with someone who dresses all black hase peicings etc etc. To me they look stupid. Its not easy to look at. And judging someone by what they look like, everyone does it, and the people that dress in all black dont think that people do, they are the ones that say "it doesnt matter what you look like, people shouldnt judge you like that" WELL WAKE UP BECAUSE THEY DO. When you are going into a job interview looking like that they ARENT going to hire you. But mc donalds will.


I have not seen a single person dressing in all black, etc working for a McDonalds or cleaning the toilets or doing any uneducated minimum wage job. I have however seen people like that getting rich and leading extremely successful lives like Slayer, Good Charlotte, Metallica, Simple Plan, Green Day. It's complicated and it takes a lot of hard work traveling and performing all around the world. And it takes intelligence to be able to master an instrument and they do have musical talent. I dress in all black and would fall into your category of "idiot" and I won my school spelling bee and I'm the 11th best speller in the 35,000 kids of the district. I play violin and piano and I've gotten many art awards.
And some people just like the style.
Alright, that just sums up everything I've wanted to say for the last 30 posts.

Thats because they wear uniforms... and i have seen people like that doing tohese jobs. Theres another point, everyone says thoese people can start bands and get rich, It IS hard to do that, to become famous and keep it going. But that is the only thing you people have said so far. I dont see any of thoese people becoming lawyers, doctors etc. And i didnt mean idiot, grade-wise, i meant it is a bad move for them to dress themselves that way and lead their lives that way.


i think that in a way, most teens actually want to be stereotyped and labeled. why else would so many people embrace goth/punk/emo/prep/whatever culture so fully? they want to develop a distinct personality while feeling as if they belong to a community.

This is so true.


Maybe people who live in cheap ass places succeeded in knowing love for each other and raising a family that appreciates the little things that the rest of the world take for granted.
Success is trivial because like beauty, it is in the eye of the beholder. I could careless about a millionaire if he/she doesn't know the first thing about community and respect. I'd say that they are successful in society, but not successful in being human.
I used to live in a barn. That how poor my family was, but we weren't slackers. Never that. I hate when people assume that all poor people put themselves into that position. Have you ever thought that maybe they were born into poverty and is struggling to get out of it? Some are more fortunate in their endeavor, but the opportunity may have never presented itself to others. If you call that slacking and I'll call you naive.

Yes, but if they are struggling, dont you think they would like to get out of struggling? the thing is in this country, majority rules. And if everyone else takes thoese things for granted, its not worth it doing so.
I am sorry you had to live in a barn, maybe they should've gotten a job, theres so many options, go back to school, go to college, etc.

Do you work for your Dad? It's your Dad's fault that he doesn't know how to hire competent help. What does that say about your Dad?

No, i dont work for my dad, his business is out of state. Its not my dads fault that only thoese people apply.

Did you even read my post? Let me bold it for you

Succeeding isn't being a movie star, or being the richest or hottest person alive. It varies with each person so I could have a million piercings and still have succeeded.

I didnt say you had to become a movie star etc. just get a job. And then you say become a rock star, "...richest or hottest person..."


OriskybusinessO, may i point out that hot topic, where "those people" shop at, is owned by the same people as abercrombie. that said, hot topic is quite expensive, as is abercrombie (apparently these people want LOTS of money). if these people are such poor slackers, how do they afford such expensive clothes?

thought i might point that out.


I didnt say they had to start shopping at abercrombie. Hot topic isnt that expensive anyway... and i didnt say they all shop at hot topic, it was an example. That store is targeted toward high school students Who mainly have there mommis and daddies buy their clothes. Im mainly talking about adults 20, etc.



yea, i know... i should probably stop talking about it butif i do they'll think ive run out of things to say, and they are right, but i havent... I would like to stop 'fighting', its not really debating anymore, but like i said before...

[sammi rules you]

again, i worked at mcdonald's. are you gonna stereotype me as an idiot because i couldn't get a job elsewhere cause i was 14?

and hot topic is freaking expensive, they have pants for like 40 bucks.

[*jooleeah*]

i think labeling is ok in this case: some people that bitch about labeling (im not saying you are) that DO dress in all black, have blue hair and multiple facial pericings deserve it. HELLO!! If you wear things like that and look like an idiot, you deserve to be labeled an idiot.

Wow. You piss me off.
Just because they dress as they want to doesn't mean they're idiots. I think you owe yourself a reality check.

yes, there are, and then again where would we be without them? Who would work at all of the mcdonalds in the world? And all of thoese other minimum wage stores for the rest of their lives?
And please dont tell me 'well maybe they want to live that way, and they are happy without having money' well, the truth is they arent, they arent happy struggling to live, wondering if they'll have enough food stamps left. No one is happy like that.

What's wrong with minium wage? Most people can live off like that. And you know what? I'm gonna tell you something even though you said you didn't want anyone to tell you this. MAYBE THEY ARE HAPPY LIVING THAT WAY. Just because you don't have much money, doesn't mean you aren't happy. Wouldn't you actually admire people who aren't so focused on money? Wouldn't you rather live happy then being so focused on how rich you are? Wouldn't you rather have a loving family then having a lot of money and having no one to share it with?

[haffkrazy3]

labeling will never be fair by any means. but i guess its just a habit that pretty much everyone has to label others. i know i do it a lot too but im not proud of it.

[OriskybusinessO]

again, i worked at mcdonald's. are you gonna stereotype me as an idiot because i couldn't get a job elsewhere cause i was 14?

and hot topic is freaking expensive, they have pants for like 40 bucks.

I quote myself: "Im mainly talking about adults 20, etc."

[innovation]

sure, stereotyping may not be "fair" in some situations; however, it is inevitable. you can't stop someone from categorizing people in his or her head. when this stereotyping turns into discrimination in the form of words or actions, however.. that's when it becomes unacceptable.

[Spirited Away]

Yes, but if they are struggling, dont you think they would like to get out of struggling? the thing is in this country, majority rules. And if everyone else takes thoese things for granted, its not worth it doing so.
I am sorry you had to live in a barn, maybe they should've gotten a job, theres so many options, go back to school, go to college, etc.

No, i dont work for my dad, his business is out of state. Its not my dads fault that only thoese people apply.

... NAIVE. You think that if I want to stop being poor I can go out to the world and find a job, and poof, I get one???? If that is reality, then in reality poverty simply does not exist.

Get it?

As I have said before, there are those who are lucky when they try and those who are not so lucky. We may try our best to do things we want in life but that doesn't mean we'll succeed at it.

If I still live in a barn do you think I could afford internet access and talk to you right now? Uh, no. I HAVE ALREADY explained that there are those who are lucky, like my family, and those who are not lucky and must still be in poverty.

You know what I think? I think you're too sheltered from what's out there in the world. It's not your fault though, but it is your fault that you can't find it in you to be compassionate and sympathize with fellow human beings. NO ONE wants to be poor but circumstances may force a person to be poor.

If those people who works for your Dad are so lazy, they wouldn't bother to work for you Dad. Why not just steal from your Dad instead of working? IF your Dad cannot hire competent workers then IT IS HIS FAULT. Who says your Dad MUST hire everyone who applies? Do they stick a gun to his head and force him? No. Then it's your Dad's fault that he can't judge a person. Period.

[nevernothere]

Stereotyping can be funny at times.. just gotta know when to knock it off.

[*Kathleen*]

...they could be the cleanest, most straight edge virgins in the world...

yes, but what are the chances that they are? its not realistic. the truth is that in the real world people tha tlook like that do drugs, sleep around, etc. etc. But you can also be a preppy rich kid and get drugged up and go around banging chicks all day.

I'm usually labeled as a "goth," or "punk," and this is actually realistic. My best friend's a definite goth who is a faithful Christian. I moderate a Slipknot forum and there's plenty of kids there that are awesome and straight edge and extremely religious. I know more at my school, too. So...I think it's safe to say that people are learning, opening their eyes to the world. And, as I dress like that, I know when to act courteous and recognize my place. I mean, for school affairs and other things, I know to dress formally and whatnot. I think I'm on a path to leading a successful life. I mean, I get straight A's and am really active in school. I like defying stereotypes myself. Because although I don't favor them, I agree that they do exist and can't really be eliminated because of human nature. So yeah, to answer the question at hand, I agree with many others that it's not fair, although I can't deny its existence.

[racoons > you]

i have a friend. she is probably the stereo ttypical goh... with like kathleen sadid all teh slipknot and the like

and she is the sweetes person you can ever meet. and shes also teh mos intelligent person i have ever come across in my life... i <3 smoph


stereotyping sucks people.

[Nashvixen]

we've been tought that "all A's make the same sound" and "no dogs can talk" and etc., so it's easy to think it's right that "all goths cut" and "all black people listen to rap".

Well, first of all, not all A's make the same sound. There are variations to the emphasis on all vowels. Second, all goths don't cut, nor do all black people listen to rap.
No, stereotyping is NOT "racist". It's discrimination. Stereotyping and racism fall into the same category.

i think labeling is ok in this case: some people that bitch about labeling (im not saying you are) that DO dress in all black, have blue hair and multiple facial pericings deserve it. HELLO!! If you wear things like that and look like an idiot, you deserve to be labeled an idiot.

Perhaps it's not idiotic to dress in black (since many of the people you know probably wear black on occasions). In my opinion, it's idiotic of 0riskybusiness0 to state this. Follow my reasoning here... If there was a perfectly wonderful individual who's favorite color was black, and they looked acceptable to your taste, nonetheless, you'd be okay. But just because so many people discriminate against "goths" and you may feel threatened in some way by them, you choose to call them unfair names. Maybe if people like you discontinued the labeling, you would find that your so-called "goth" only wants to be accepted, but is actually rebelling against the fact that they aren't accepted.
Now don't get me wrong, I have met a few goths who judge others automatically, thinking they're judging them. So, no offense.
probably because you're the reason people complain about labeling.
there's many jobs for people who look a certain way.

that's the problem, people think of people differently just because of the way they look..if they do have piercings and wear black and such, that does NOT mean they're bad people. they could be the cleanest, most straight edge virgins in the world but people think they're up to no good just because of how they look and that's the problem. and of course, if you look at my signature, (that is, if you can see it, the server is down..only..for..me..) you can see perfectly that i don't really choose to look "that" way, so it's not only these kinds of people that think this way.

I'd have to agree here. Completely. My dad is alot like this guy this person. Hate it.

QUOTE
And please dont tell me 'well maybe they want to live that way, and they are happy without having money' well, the truth is they arent, they arent happy struggling to live, wondering if they'll have enough food stamps left. No one is happy like that.
---
What's wrong with minium wage? Most people can live off like that. And you know what? I'm gonna tell you something even though you said you didn't want anyone to tell you this. MAYBE THEY ARE HAPPY LIVING THAT WAY. Just because you don't have much money, doesn't mean you aren't happy. Wouldn't you actually admire people who aren't so focused on money? Wouldn't you rather live happy then being so focused on how rich you are? Wouldn't you rather have a loving family then having a lot of money and having no one to share it with?

I'd have to agree with this as well. Some people are not materialistic or uncomfortable without superficial things. Minimum wage (if you enjoy the finer, free things about daily life) will be supportive.

I would like to stop 'fighting', its not really debating anymore

Hun... this is still debating. It feels like fighting because you're losing. I've been there. Don't get aggressive, you just didn't do all your home work here.

Yes, but if they are struggling, dont you think they would like to get out of struggling? the thing is in this country, majority rules. And if everyone else takes thoese things for granted, its not worth it doing so.
I am sorry you had to live in a barn, maybe they should've gotten a job, theres so many options, go back to school, go to college, etc.

People who live in barns probably don't have transportation to work, school, or much, much less, college. School buses, yes, but how could anyone go farther than that? Kids are being pushed by peer pressure to buy all kinds of things today to "fit in" and poor people can't. They learn to live with this and opinions like these.
Plus, "goths" probably don't live in barns.