Outline for Paper on Stereotping

Topic: Stereotyping is Wrong
(Why stereotyping and making false generalizations are wrong)

1. Introduction/Thesis Statement: 2.1. Cardwell (1996) defines a stereotype as a fixed, over generalized belief about a group or class of people. In general, stereotyping can be defined as making a premature assumption of an individual based on a common trait of other similar characters, but that trait may not accurately reflect reality. It is best to refrain from the aforementioned as it may harbor unreasonable expectations of a person and also plague their psychological state. It is categorized as a form of discrimination.

2. Stereotyping gives you a false impression of someone. 3.2. Social categories are never more than approximations. 3.3.1. Stereotyping is basically setting up an idea of how a certain individual is without even getting to know them. 3.3.2. For example, assuming that a student who obtains good grades is one who spends all their time studying, when in actuality it is God-gifted intelligence. 3.3. False impressions will lead to improbable expectations. 3.4.3. We may expect something more from others because we assume they are capable of doing it, when in reality we have no idea if they actually can. 3.4. Stereotypes disappoint (and can lead to prejudice). 3.5.4. When the stereotyped person fails to deliver or does not meet our own personal expectations of them, we may feel disappointed. 3.5.5. Unnecessary disappointment because they were not even what we thought they were in the first place. 3.5.6. This disappointment can induce blind hatred towards them.

3. Stereotyping can hurt one’s self-esteem as well affect their mental development. 4.5. Gender stereotyping 4.6.7. Gender roles are preset by society as to how men and women should act and how they are portrayed. 4.6.8.1. Children who may be interested in something beyond the typical stereotypes (e.g. boys interested in fashion, or girls interested in the military) may be confused and have self-identity crises. 4.6.8.2. Just because they do not adhere to the common stereotypes does not mean they are in the wrong as we all have the freedom of self-expression. 4.6.8.3. Gender roles also set expectations (see previous point_ for men and women alike. 4.6.8.4. The battle of the sexes, comparisons between genders and discrimination among genders can arise from a simple stereotype label. 4.6.8.5. For example: A male who has good fashion sense may be coined as gay, or a female who has short hair a lesbian. 4.6. Age stereotyping 4.7.8. A common belief is that the elderly are much less capable than youths in every aspect. 4.7.9. Companies would rather go for young and incompetent rather than a more matured and fully experienced employee, not that is it illogical but it harbours the sentiment that older individuals are not as welcome. 4.7.10. Imagine being fully capable of carrying out a task and being put aside because of a number. 4.7. Cultural stereotyping 4.8.11. A difference in cultures and the lack of knowledge of them can lead to false predicaments of a foreign culture. 4.8.12. Insults are common towards other cultures and countries, this is where racism arises and where some nations may feel inferior to others. Below are some examples of cultural stereotyping: 4.8.13. All Asians are good at math. All Asians like to eat rice and drive slow. 4.8.14. All Irish people are drunks and eat potatoes. 4.8.15. All Asians are good at math, like to eat rice and drive slow. 4.8.16. All Irish people are drunkards and eat potatoes.

4. Stereotyping is a gateway to even more severe forms of discrimination; bias and prejudice. 5.8. Stereotypes are just the basis of discrimination and putting down others. 5.9.17. Discrimination is defined as an actual negative action towards objects of prejudice 5.9.18. As stated in the first point, false expectations lead to disappointments and even blind hatred. 5.9.19. Discrimination towards something the person cannot control or manipulate is rather inhumane. 5.9.20. Among other things, means that stereotypes probably fuel prejudice, but people are not willing to admit this. 5.9.21. People not often willing to admit to (negative or positive) stereotyping, being prejudiced, or discrimination but all practices & beliefs are rampant 5. Conclusion 6.9. In conclusion, the simple act of stereotyping or belief in stereotypes can bring forth multiple altercations especially when doing selection of individuals. 6.10. Granted that forming preset thoughts upon other people are inevitable because of our surroundings and upbringing, we should strive to eschew from said act as it causes even more malignant outcomes. 6.11. To live in harmony among one another is crucial for survival of our societies and thus we should say no to stereotypes, racism, gender roles, discrimination and bias among one another.

Bryan Yap Ju Min
English (Advanced)