A girl walks down the hallway with a basketball under her arm and a smile on her face. Suddenly, a group of boys run past knocking the ball away. “Girls can’t play sports.” They laugh as the ball bounces down the hall and the happiness drains out of her. She, along with many others is a victim of stereotypes. Stereotypes are everywhere, and affect the way people view the world around them. From a young age it is imprinted on children that because you are one way, you must do a certain thing or because you believe something, you are the same as everyone else who believes something similar. The people most often caught in the crosshairs of stereotypes, are children. Stereotypes form the way children think about themselves; being so young they are are very impressionable, so if someone tells them something, it sticks.
One parent of a child at UWCSEA East has had an experience with one of the many common stereotypes. “I wanted to buy a construction house building kit for my daughter, but they only ones I could find were in the boys section and I worried that I was buying something not appropriate for girls.” She says. This illustrates a common misconception. In every store most baby clothes are coloured in the way associated with that specific gender. There are stereotypical toys for each gender as well. In the “girls toys section” there are dolls, cooking sets and beauty kits as if preparing them for a life staying home, cooking and taking care of children. In the “boys toys section” there are soldiers, cars and fake guns as if telling them to be violent is the only way to be “manly”. These stereotypes affect children from a very young age and influence gender roles later in life. The children can think it isn’t right to like something from the other gender, and if they do like it then they can feel out of place amongst their friends. This may force them to create a version of themselves that isn’t true to who they actually are.
Noshin Saiyaara is a grade 8 student at UWCSEA East whose life is full of stereotypes. “Most of the stereotypes I face are from my own family, saying that because I am a girl, my life should basically be about school, marriage and becoming a housewife.” She says. This reveals that gender roles are also deeply buried in society’s views. Children can even experience them from their own family. In traditional families it is believed that the role of a woman is to take care of her husband and children, while the man goes out and earns money for the family. In some families this model may work, however girls are capable more than just housework. It is stereotyped that women are somehow incapable of providing their own source of income and need to be taken care of by the man. This stereotype affects young girls growing up to think that they don’t have to try because they’ll get a husband who can take care of them. This thinking can lead to children not living up to their capabilities and not trying their very best.
“Some people assume because I am a Muslim, I am a terrorist.” Noshin continues. Sadly, this is a reality for many people. The growing terrorism in the middle east is causing effects on Muslims all around the world. Many people view them as a threat because of the stereotypes created by a few extremists. In the airports, despite the selections of passengers for further screening being “completely random”, the ones chosen are usually Muslims or Arab. This is due to racial profiling and stereotypes. Everyone is entitled to their religion, and that religion doesn’t determine whether a person has good or bad intentions. It doesn’t just apply for muslims, every religion has a specific look that society feels all members should have. “People think that just because my nose is slightly more arched than most, it must mean I am Jewish.” Said Lia Shoshani, another 8th grade student. Despite the fact that she actually is Jewish, the way she looks should not be what gives it away. Religions cross international borders, and are followed by people all over the world. So to say that all members should look a certain way is discriminating against the majority. This stereotype can lead to children feeling like the world doesn’t accept their religion or that they don’t belong in their religion. That can cause conflicting ideals in a young person who is still trying to find their place in the world.
“People tell me that Indians are smart, so they ask: why aren't you?” Said one student at UWCSEA East when asked if she ever felt subjected to stereotypes. Many have thought that all Asians are smart, and all Asians want to become doctors or lawyers. However many Asians are actually better at other things. Maybe they’re good at sports, maybe their good at art, it depends on the individual. Your race in no way determines your strengths and weaknesses. It is related to your heritage, and although that may influence your interests, every person is an individual and is entitled to their own opinions. These stereotypes can make a child feel as if they have a responsibility to fulfill them. Instead of pursuing their passion, children may change their mind to make the stereotypes true. Just like religion, one stereotype for a racial group is not capable of accurately defining all it’s members.
“I sometimes judge sporty people and think they’re are not exactly good at academics.” The student continues. It is often assumed that someone can only be good at one thing. If you’re good at academics you’re a nerd and not good at sport, if you’re good at sport you’re a jock and dumb. In actual fact, someone’s skills are not only focused on one thing, and hobbies cannot define someone’s personality. Human brains are remarkable, and capable of specialising in more than one area. These generally untrue stereotypes are common in movies and televison, rule the school hallways and can negatively influence the way students view each other from a young age.
Although stereotypes are a huge problem, there are ways in which we can prevent ourselves from using them to judge others. Despite the fact that some may actually be true or rooted in some form of truth, don’t let your first impression of someone get in the way of actually getting to know someone; they may be totally different to how they initially appear. Second, don’t resort to a single story and assume it applies to everyone, it most likely won’t. Finally, be aware of stereotypes the next time you use them to judge someone. Stereotyping is often subconscious and we don’t even realise we’ve done it until the moment has passed.
Stereotypes have surround every topic, and have always been around. However the impacts they are having on today’s society are worsening. “I always feel like a have a sort of responsibility towards the stereotype.” Says Francesca Marshall, another student at UWCSEA East. “I think in a lot of cases people use stereotypes to form opinions on others. They just assume because you’re Asian you’re smart, or because you’re Muslim you’re dangerous. I don’t think people should assume that just because of your race or religion, you’re something you’re not. Everyone is unique and different, stereotypes don't define who you are.”
by Isabella Duncan
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