Negative Stereotypes of Women
N. Trevino
English 1301
3 December 2011
The Negative Impact of Stereotypes Stereotype- a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group (Dictionary). In simpler words, stereotypes are judgments based on actions of an individual or small group, thought to be true about the rest of that group. Stereotypes refer to individuals perceptions that typically do not correspond to reality. A stereotype is a picture in the head, not an accurate mirror of the real world. Gender stereotypes, as well as many other stereotypes, possess falseness and are not always correct. Not only do gender stereotypes contain false assumptions, but can have lasting impacts of those who are mistakenly accused. Although there may be truth of women falling under the generalizations made by society, many do not and this can affect those women negatively. Throughout history and our society today, women have often been seen as less dominate than men. Women are not as smart as men. They are not safe drivers. They are weaker. Women make better nurturers, men make better mechanics. All of these negative stereotypes degrade a woman’s identity and pride. Many societal views placed on women such as occupational roles and their display in the media all express false facts. One distinct component of negative stereotypes is women and their jobs. While careers like surgeon, doctor and mechanic are referred as masculine, other jobs such as school teacher, nurse and secretary pose a sense of feminism. Society has placed many prejudices towards the way we see careers as being feminine or masculine. Based on the research book, Gender Stereotypes of Occupations, by Annette M. Girondi, the University of Akron’s Department of Psychology conducted two studies in which assessments of occupational gender stereotyping were compared with assessments of occupational prestige. In study one, 20 male and 20 female adults were
English 1301
3 December 2011
The Negative Impact of Stereotypes Stereotype- a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group (Dictionary). In simpler words, stereotypes are judgments based on actions of an individual or small group, thought to be true about the rest of that group. Stereotypes refer to individuals perceptions that typically do not correspond to reality. A stereotype is a picture in the head, not an accurate mirror of the real world. Gender stereotypes, as well as many other stereotypes, possess falseness and are not always correct. Not only do gender stereotypes contain false assumptions, but can have lasting impacts of those who are mistakenly accused. Although there may be truth of women falling under the generalizations made by society, many do not and this can affect those women negatively. Throughout history and our society today, women have often been seen as less dominate than men. Women are not as smart as men. They are not safe drivers. They are weaker. Women make better nurturers, men make better mechanics. All of these negative stereotypes degrade a woman’s identity and pride. Many societal views placed on women such as occupational roles and their display in the media all express false facts. One distinct component of negative stereotypes is women and their jobs. While careers like surgeon, doctor and mechanic are referred as masculine, other jobs such as school teacher, nurse and secretary pose a sense of feminism. Society has placed many prejudices towards the way we see careers as being feminine or masculine. Based on the research book, Gender Stereotypes of Occupations, by Annette M. Girondi, the University of Akron’s Department of Psychology conducted two studies in which assessments of occupational gender stereotyping were compared with assessments of occupational prestige. In study one, 20 male and 20 female adults were
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