The interesting thing about stereotypes is that almost universally we are told that they are lies or misconceptions, but in most cases, they are close to being truth. This is no fault of their own however, it is simply that they exist that this happens. Take the stereotype of blondes; blondes are ditzy airheads who barely think about anything, and if they do, it's on the lowest level that is humanly capable. I know highly intelligent blonde girls who have changed their thinking to reflect this; they don't get jokes even after they've been explained, they are incredibly gullible, but they know more about fashion and make-up than I will ever know about anything. This is the problem, they change their thinking and start believing what they are told. This self perpetuation is one of the biggest problems with any form of discrimination, be it racism, sexism, ageism, beardism or anything.
For example, there are very few male nurses, despite the fact that much of the work of a nurse is better suited to males - lifting, holding etc. This has given the conception of nursing is that it is a woman's job, so no man will do it, so it is a woman's job. This is a self perpetuating cycle that firstly limits nurses - they get the jobs that 'men' shouldn't be doing, and secondly of men - they shouldn't be nurses. Did you know that in order to get trained medical professionals to care for the wounded in the marines they had to change what they called nurses, they are now known as medics.
Or, again with the medical theme, there are very few female doctors, despite the fact that in most cases, men lack either the necessary rationality to be able to treat the sick and injured and the humanness to be have a real bedside manner.
In Australia, Black Aboriginal people are often treated as lower people because they have a reputation. There are a larger proportion of the Aboriginal community that get caught in alcoholism, narcotics, petty crime and violence than other groups. This has meant the acquisition of their reputation. This reputation now precedes every one of them every time they do anything. What it has also meant is that large amounts now also believe it for themselves. Which means that they have no hope but to get caught in alcoholism, narcotics, petty crime and violence, for no greater reason than that is what happens to all of them.
This particular case really gets to me because it has caused a large part of a generation and much, not all but much, of a race to get caught in self destruction.
The same thing is seen in every minority group - Including interestingly those who deserve it, but that's for another time.
I'm not saying that all stereotypes are bad and should be exterminated with the greatest of non-prejudicial judgement just that we have to be careful how and why we use them.
For example, there are very few male nurses, despite the fact that much of the work of a nurse is better suited to males - lifting, holding etc. This has given the conception of nursing is that it is a woman's job, so no man will do it, so it is a woman's job. This is a self perpetuating cycle that firstly limits nurses - they get the jobs that 'men' shouldn't be doing, and secondly of men - they shouldn't be nurses. Did you know that in order to get trained medical professionals to care for the wounded in the marines they had to change what they called nurses, they are now known as medics.
Or, again with the medical theme, there are very few female doctors, despite the fact that in most cases, men lack either the necessary rationality to be able to treat the sick and injured and the humanness to be have a real bedside manner.
In Australia, Black Aboriginal people are often treated as lower people because they have a reputation. There are a larger proportion of the Aboriginal community that get caught in alcoholism, narcotics, petty crime and violence than other groups. This has meant the acquisition of their reputation. This reputation now precedes every one of them every time they do anything. What it has also meant is that large amounts now also believe it for themselves. Which means that they have no hope but to get caught in alcoholism, narcotics, petty crime and violence, for no greater reason than that is what happens to all of them.
This particular case really gets to me because it has caused a large part of a generation and much, not all but much, of a race to get caught in self destruction.
The same thing is seen in every minority group - Including interestingly those who deserve it, but that's for another time.
I'm not saying that all stereotypes are bad and should be exterminated with the greatest of non-prejudicial judgement just that we have to be careful how and why we use them.
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