Examples Of Stereotypes

Stereotypes are categories about people based on membership in a group. Those categories may consist of ethnic or cultural groups, social and gender groups. Stereotype is based on the beliefs about the specific characteristics to all members of that group (Canary, Cody & Manusov, 2008 p 139). Sometimes stereotypes lead people to prejudice negatively by the beliefs that come with the stereotype damaging our ability to communicate with others. One way to let go stereotype to some degree is when people have the chance to interact with members from another group or culture (Canary, Cody & Manusov, 2008 p 141).

The example of stereotype that I chose is the role of Latinas in Hollywood. Latin women often play the role of maid, housekeepers, nannies or immigrants characters. Lupe Ontiveros, Jenifer Lopez and Eva Longoria are some of the Latin actresses playing those roles. The Latin actress Lupe Ontiveros is a clear example of this stereotype. Lupe has played the role of maid more that 150 times in films and on stage. One of her most important participations were her roles of maid in the 80’s classic film The Goonies, 1997 American romantic comedy As Good as It Gets, and NBC sitcoms like "Veronica's Closet". In addition, Jennifer Lopez and her role in Maid in Manhattan continued with the stereotype through the years.
Even though, at the end of the movie she got marry to the rich politician, the stereotype does not change. Lupe Ontiveros tried to break that stereotype