Stereotypes

STEREOTYPE: a fixed or conventional notion or conception, as of a person, group, idea, etc., held by a number of people, and allowing for no individuality, critical judgment, etc.

In the next few lessons, we will focus on the media's use of stereotypes and the representation of images related to youth, race, gender and violence. This page will teach you:

types of stereotypes,
reasons for stereotypes, and
the effect of stereotypes.

Be sure you are comfortable with this material before proceeding.

TYPES OF STEREOTYPES:

Stereotypes are over-simplified images of people or groups of people, based on race, gender, occupation, or age. You are probably familiar with a number of stereotypes. To begin, we will examine a few obvious stereotypes:

Correct. Stereotypes of this nature are based on gender. (blond females)

Correct. Again, this is a stereotype based on gender, but this time, males.

Correct. Stereotypes of this nature are based on youth. (age) The stereotype here goes beyond the violence stereotype of youth to a specific youth group - skaters. Mode of dress and negative media attention has deemed skaters as lazy, rebellious youth who defy authority.

Correct. Stereotypes of this nature are based on race.

When boys misbehave, act aggressively, or get into mischief these actions may be overlooked or dismissed because 'that is what boy's do'. The problem with this kind of representation is that it gives boys permission to act in ways that would be considered inappropriate for young girls or anyone else for that matter. This stereotype is often associated with aggressive behavior in males suggesting that violence is acceptable.

These stereotypes are related to violence.

In the above examples, stereotypes related to youth, gender, race, and violence have been examined briefly. These examples have shown how groups of people, such as teens, boys, girls, and Natives have all been lumped into a specific image and that image is a negative one.

Interestingly, stereotypes may also foster positive images. Consider Oriental cultures such as Japanese and Chinese. A typical stereotype of these cultures may include such representations as hard-working, family orientated, and tolerant. Although these are positive images that certainly apply to many Japanese and Chinese people, they could also apply to any other culture, and these stereotypes are no more accurate representations of a particular race or gender than are the negative portrayals. Finally, it is important to examine why these stereotypes exist and the dangers of such representations.

1. "How many blondes does it take to screw in a light-bulb?"

How many jokes have you heard about blondes? How many times has someone said to you, "Oh, I've got a blonde joke"?

What is the stereotype associated with blondes?

2. "Act like a man".

The stereotype here is inferred. This statement dictates that there is a specific way for men to act. This may include the stereotype that "real men don't cry". In reality, men, like all humans, experience and respond to a variety of emotions and crying is one of them.

This is a stereotype based on:

3. Assume that you are walking down a street and notice that a store front window has been broken. You look at the crowd on the street and see an elderly couple, three teen skaters, and a mother with a young child. Who do you think would be automatically associated with the vandalism? Most people would probably suggest the skaters even though they may not have any concrete proof.

What is the stereotype presented here? What is the belief generated about all skaters?

4. Examine the same scenario from another angle. Suppose that when you looked at the crowd you noticed a group of white teens and a group of Native teens.

If you automatically assume that the Native teens are responsible for the vandalism, what stereotype are you using?

5. "Boys will be boys".

Although this is a stereotype related to gender (males), this particular commonly quoted phrase has many implications. What exactly does the phrase, "boys will be boys mean"?