Marjorie Rhodes How To Keep Your Child From Learning Stereotypes Summary

How to Keep Your Child from Learning Stereotypes by Marjorie Rhodes, published February 18, 2017 http://time.com/4675455/parenting-prevent-stereotypes/ In the article “How to Keep Your Child from Learning Stereotypes” by Marjorie Rhodes, the author asserts that the development of stereotypes in children is widely apparent due to racial and sexual generalization. The author then proposes that parents and other adults carefully control their language in order to stop the development of these stereotypes. This article seeks to address the hurtful stereotypes that contribute to racism and sexism, which are especially relevant as concerns about racism and sexism continue to grow. This growth in racial concerns can be attributed to the rise of
This is mainly done through referencing specific studies and research. FOr example, to support the claim that hearing generalizations leads to stereotyping, the author details one of her studies in which young children listened to either generalizing or specifying comments about a group of “Zombies” and then gauged for their attitude towards them. This reference to research can also be as establishing an appeal to ethos. This is because the studies were conducted by the author and her associates. Therefore, by portraying these studies as scientifically correct, the author is also portraying herself as an expert in the field. The author’s message is also influenced by the word choice in the article. One example of this is the author's use of reassuring words and statements in order to reinforce the idea that stereotyping is a problem that can be solved by parents themselves. In the 15th paragraph the author asserts “...there is a very easy and natural way to respond to [stereotyping] statements like these…”(Rhodes). By using the words “natural” and “very easy”, the author reassures parents that stereotyping is not an overwhelmingly difficult problem to face. Further, in the last paragraph the author states that “As parents and caregivers, we can use our language carefully to help children learn to view themselves and others as individuals, free to choose their own paths”. This also serves to reassure the reader through showing that parents have a large impact on the views of their children, and therefore can shape the views of their