When Are You Stereotyping?
Imagine if you were stereotyped. Picture yourself as a college student on a Friday night. Your music is up loud you just finished all your last touch-ups to your hair, now it’s time to make the big decision. Which outfit? Most will pick the outfit they feel fits them best, brings out their eyes, or cool new accessories. Although, there’s a small percentage that doesn’t have it that easy. Usually part of the female population. Instead of wearing that really cute dress, she felt she looked amazing in it. She wears jeans and a top that isn’t showing much of her curves. She really wants to wear the dress but all that can run through her mind is all the rude and sexual comments she received the first time. A couple of the comments were “She’s a slut” or “I’ll bet she’s doing more than partying tonight” These are just two of many she’s heard in just a night. Who knew by wearing something that made you feel amazing when you put it on could then make you feel the lowest about yourself? Put yourself in the woman’s position. How would you feel about the remarks made? Some may feel embarrassed, some might feel shame in themselves. They feel instigated to change their outfit before walking out of the door the prevent any incidents from happening like this again. Then eventually she decides to stay home because now no matter what they wear, they’ve already been labeled. That’s on their minds for longer than just that night. These comments have impacted women everywhere. People like the individual that encountered the woman that night do not realize the scarring they’ve created on that woman. Our community needs to be more informed on what stereotyping is and what it looks like.
A stereotype is a sweeping statement or standardized image about a person or group with little or no evidence. Research demonstrates that people can draw conclusions about others based on little to no information at all. Washington State University speaks specifically on gender stereotyping in its “Sexual Harassment Among Youth” article. Young women enrolled in high schools and colleges told Washington State University researchers that people routinely make sexual comments, both in-person and online, about them and their bodies. The authors' found “women who believed in gender stereotypes and endorsed music that degraded women were significantly less likely to engage in healthy sexual consent negotiation.” Therefore, gender stereotyping is extremely effective and uncalled for. The initial impression does not determine anything or define anyone.
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Stereotyping can alter a person’s emotions, social life, and how they connect with their surroundings (Fields,2016). Because of this, that person will not be responsive to the concept of making new friends or meeting new people. Also, being stereotyped can have an impact on a person not wanting to go outside anymore because of others’ set of rules. Some people get critiqued about what they wear daily. Others are critiqued about the music they listen to and what they look like, behave, and who they hang out with. The list goes on and on (Fields 2016).
Stereotyping can be so cold when used in these ways. People commit suicide and have no friends because they are tired of being stereotyped. It can be hard for some individuals to simply forget about rasping words and not let them ruin their life. “Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our heart” – Robert Fulghum. Stereotyping has a big effect on how people feel. It can make people feel like they have no purpose in life and therefore they would want to end their life (Fields 2016)
When people don’t fit our preconceived notions, we tend to ignore the contradictions, until they are too dramatic to overlook. For example, older adults are characterized as more forgetful and less able to learn new information. Yet there is also evidence of older adults serving important roles in society. For example, “nearly 40 percent of the nation's 1,200 working federal judges have reached senior status and could retire. But, these senior judges are crucial to the justice system and, handling reduced caseloads, carry out nearly 20 percent of the federal judiciary's work” Therefore, when we have a strong, healthy, and positive identity, we feel confident enough to pursue what anybody else would in terms of working towards our life goals, attaining our education and feeling empowered to change our worlds, despite whatever negative messages we hear from others based on our appearances.
“Judge me by the content of my character” Martin Luther King Jr stated in his “I Have A Dream” speech. The way one appears may not be thy. The article speaks on, “Dressing for the Job You Want, Not the Job You Have” Recent research indicates that “people continue to be unsure about Appearance in the workplace. Is it important, or not? What’s appropriate, or inappropriate? What about decoding dress codes? How should aspiring women dress?” There is often confusion about when stereotyping is taking place. For example, at an interview. One might think they didn’t get a job because someone is judging them on their appearance instead of what they have to offer. Which is often true. Is this wrong? Maybe… maybe not. Imagine yourself as a hiring manager for a big company. You give two interviews. One man comes in wearing regular clothing but has plenty to offer. But so, does the man who decided to appear at his interview with dress apparel. Dress shirt, dress shoes, ironed pants. Who would you most like pick to bring in as the face of your company? Sometimes it’s just about who’s the better influencer. One could have all the same qualities as another, and both have great personalities. Even the same ethnicity. Would it still be stereotyping? Or just one making a thoughtful decision?
There is always a more common social issue that triggers stereotyping. Racial judgment happens to be one. Research shows that stereotyping has found our death certificates. A very common name that comes to mind is Trevon Martin. “Trayvon Martin was an unarmed American 17-year-old killed by George Zimmerman on February 26, 2012, sparking a national controversy.” Trevon Martin played a major role in the “#BlackLivesMatter” movement because he was killed simply because he looked like he could be harmful. I wish I could say his killer was just racist but if that were the case. The trial would not have gone if it did. According to the courts “Trevon Martin fit the description” making it self-defense instead of a murder charge. These “descriptions” come about in a few ways. In this case, the color of his skin and his choice of clothing… are what killed him. Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonized judgment directed against other people because they are of a different race or ethnicity is very real and often falls under stereotyping.
Stereotyping is something that’s impacting everyone worldwide. It’s taken people out of their comfort, it’s caused fear, and it’s cost us the opportunity. Most importantly stereotyping has cost us lives. However, this needs to be changed. As a community, we need to enlighten others about how harmful stereotyping is. Educate those who don’t see the big issue in doing so. After all, education has been the key to everything. So, educate yourselves, your friends, and your families. No one wants to live in fear, lose opportunities over things out of their control, or be uncomfortable anywhere they go. No one wants to be victimized by stereotypes… and no one should have to!
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