What do you think about them? Good? Bad? Both?
I know the topic is a bit open ended so I'll give it some momentum with a personal story. I am a guy, I also have "long" hair. Now don't get me wrong, my hair isn't even close to what most people (especially women) would consider long. It's only about 3-4 inches long at it's longest length, at which point I usually cut it back to around 2 inches.
Many people around me like to joke that I should get my hair cut and that it's "too" long. Now, mind you, the vast majority of these people only say this as a joke and mean no harm by it, many of them like my hair. But I think their joking underlines a possibly subconscious stereotype about men and their hair. While they may be perfectly fine with my hair, why would they mention it if they didn't have preformed stereotypes about how men (or women) should wear their hair?
Generally speaking, it's normal for men to cut their hair short and for women to grow their hair long. Anything on the opposite (less for women and even less for men nowadays I suppose) is seen to be out-of-the-ordinary. But why?
Obviously my situation is a very minor one. But it illustrates the point I think. Inside of everyone there seems to be preprogrammed ideas and expectations on how certain groups of other people should act and conduct themselves. So back to the original question, is this good or bad? Or in between?
Personally, I lean towards the opinion that stereotypes are bad, but I do have the capacity to understand that some stereotypes are ok and helpful. After all, certain groups of people do, in fact, act in similar ways in certain circumstances. However, I know that everyone is different. We all come from different backgrounds and have different tastes and so we cannot be quick to assume someone from a particular background of way of life will behave in a certain way.
If you've made it this far in my spiel, you might be wondering "So what? What's the big deal about stereotypes?" I for one believe that stereotypes are a big deal and not to be taken lightly because the limit our interactions with people around us. Two people may never talk and share a good interaction if their stereotypes off each other push them away from one another.
As a Christian, I see this pretty often. Lots of people have stereotypes about Christians, and fact is, a lot of them are close to the truth. But the problem is a lot of these stereotypes end up pushing people away from Christians, and the Church as a whole, just because of preconceived notions of what the experience will be like.
It happens in reverse a lot too. Christians find it hard to interact and reach out in kind, loving ways to those around us because of our biased perception s of non-Christians. Because of this we often fail to see others as they really are, and to meet them where they are.
And it's not just Christians/non-Christians that experience the pains of stereotyping, but everyone.
Anyway, enough of me, what do you think? Am I off base here?
I know the topic is a bit open ended so I'll give it some momentum with a personal story. I am a guy, I also have "long" hair. Now don't get me wrong, my hair isn't even close to what most people (especially women) would consider long. It's only about 3-4 inches long at it's longest length, at which point I usually cut it back to around 2 inches.
Many people around me like to joke that I should get my hair cut and that it's "too" long. Now, mind you, the vast majority of these people only say this as a joke and mean no harm by it, many of them like my hair. But I think their joking underlines a possibly subconscious stereotype about men and their hair. While they may be perfectly fine with my hair, why would they mention it if they didn't have preformed stereotypes about how men (or women) should wear their hair?
Generally speaking, it's normal for men to cut their hair short and for women to grow their hair long. Anything on the opposite (less for women and even less for men nowadays I suppose) is seen to be out-of-the-ordinary. But why?
Obviously my situation is a very minor one. But it illustrates the point I think. Inside of everyone there seems to be preprogrammed ideas and expectations on how certain groups of other people should act and conduct themselves. So back to the original question, is this good or bad? Or in between?
Personally, I lean towards the opinion that stereotypes are bad, but I do have the capacity to understand that some stereotypes are ok and helpful. After all, certain groups of people do, in fact, act in similar ways in certain circumstances. However, I know that everyone is different. We all come from different backgrounds and have different tastes and so we cannot be quick to assume someone from a particular background of way of life will behave in a certain way.
If you've made it this far in my spiel, you might be wondering "So what? What's the big deal about stereotypes?" I for one believe that stereotypes are a big deal and not to be taken lightly because the limit our interactions with people around us. Two people may never talk and share a good interaction if their stereotypes off each other push them away from one another.
As a Christian, I see this pretty often. Lots of people have stereotypes about Christians, and fact is, a lot of them are close to the truth. But the problem is a lot of these stereotypes end up pushing people away from Christians, and the Church as a whole, just because of preconceived notions of what the experience will be like.
It happens in reverse a lot too. Christians find it hard to interact and reach out in kind, loving ways to those around us because of our biased perception s of non-Christians. Because of this we often fail to see others as they really are, and to meet them where they are.
And it's not just Christians/non-Christians that experience the pains of stereotyping, but everyone.
Anyway, enough of me, what do you think? Am I off base here?
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