Stereotypes Exist Because They Are Grounded In Truth Analysis Essay Example
Stereotypes Exist Because They Are Grounded In Truth Analysis Essay Example

Stereotypes Exist Because They Are Grounded In Truth Analysis Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (1041 words)
  • Published: September 27, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Grounded in reality, stereotypes arise from the wide range of ideologies, religions, and cultures present in our society. As a result, when people voice their thoughts, they tend to associate with particular groups that hold different perspectives. These groups develop shared beliefs and assumptions about others, eventually giving rise to stereotypes.

The lack of effort in understanding different cultures and beliefs leads to these perceptions. Instead, people tend to rely on unreliable sources and blindly follow the crowd. Although stereotypes can provide some insight into a group or individual, they should not be embraced or widely accepted in society because they are biased towards ethnicity, culture, country, assumptions, and gender discrimination. Stereotypes often originate from biased ethnic groups within a society without any logical foundation.

There is a common stereotype suggesting that black individuals a

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re criminals, although this notion is false. If all black people were indeed criminals, then President Barack Obama would not be discussing global politics from the White House; rather, he would be involved in criminal acts. This stereotype was formed due to racial prejudice and certain groups' long-standing personal grievances. Yet, if we examine the situation of black people in the United States, it becomes evident that they have made substantial contributions to the nation's economic and scientific advancement.

Lewis H. Ultimate, an ethnically black individual, exemplifies a notable contribution to the progress of the electric light bulb. Despite being the only black member collaborating with Thomas Edison in its invention, Lewis H. Ultimate effectively challenges the unfair stereotype that portrays blacks as criminals. This is further reinforced by considering that if such a stereotype held true, blacks would not have endured slavery.

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presence of stereotypes often leads to the belief that certain groups of people are not profitable workers. This belief is disproven by the fact that African Americans, despite being subjected to racial stereotypes, have historically worked as sharecroppers, tenant farmers, domestics, and have been assigned to hazardous and unsanitary jobs in American agriculture and industry (Sneed). Stereotypes can also arise from personal differences between countries, resulting in the creation of false images and portrayals of entire communities.

This can be observed in the stereotypes that exist about countries, such as the portrayal of Pakistanis. They are often depicted as militants, warmongers, and individuals with a backward mentality. The western media in several countries has played a significant role in perpetuating this stereotype which completely misrepresents the Pakistani people. Consequently, it can lead to misunderstandings among people from other countries.

Pakistan has consistently worked towards global peace since its inception. It has actively participated in various United Nations peace initiatives, showcasing its dedication to promoting harmony worldwide. The Pakistani army and its courageous citizens have collaborated closely with other armies across the globe. Labeling individuals from such a nation as terrorists and militants is disheartening, as it is widely recognized that America heavily relies on Pakistan's support for success in the War on Terror. Pakistan officially became a member of the United Nations on September 30, 1947, and since 1960, it has been highly involved in numerous UN peacekeeping missions, currently leading with 10,175 troops and observers serving in active missions.

Some of the significant contributions to the cause of world peace were made by Pakistan in Somalia, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Congo, and Liberia (Pakistanis Contributions to the

Cause of World Peace). Pakistan has consistently stood against terrorists and effectively thwarted their malicious schemes. Since 2004, Pakistan has been engaged in the War on Terror, resulting in the loss of numerous courageous soldiers. In a renowned newspaper, Fiftieth A. Khan highlighted the casualty statistics stating "The total number of Pakistanis killed in the conflict has reached 40,309".

According to these statistics, stereotypes are subjective viewpoints that do not accurately represent reality. They often arise from individuals' accepted beliefs. For instance, in Western countries, there is a belief that South Asian women lack competitiveness in professional settings and are confined to child care responsibilities, resulting in a lack of necessary skills for successful employment.

Contrary to the belief that South Asian girls have limited job opportunities due to their English proficiency, evidence disproves these stereotypes. The Equal Opportunities Commission survey reveals that Pakistani and Bangladeshi women are more skilled in languages other than English compared to white British women. Unfortunately, individuals in Western countries continue to perpetuate these misconceptions, leading to unfair job rejections and mistreatment of South Asian women in all areas of life.

Recent research has revealed the challenges faced by Pakistani and Bangladeshi women in obtaining employment or advancing professionally due to prevalent stereotypes ("Promote people not stereotypes"). These stereotypes may be deliberately perpetuated by white individuals with the aim of undermining South Asian women and impeding their social and economic progress. According to a survey conducted by the Equal Opportunities Commission, a greater percentage of Bengali and Pakistani women who are employed, specifically two-thirds, have dependent children compared to only half among white British women.

South Asian women clearly demonstrate impressive skills in efficiently

managing their households and multitasking, thus debunking the misconceptions prevalent in Western cultures. These stereotypes are rooted in gender discrimination, which often depicts men participating in physical activities while excluding women. Furthermore, men are typically portrayed as the main providers for their families.

Contrary to the stereotype of women being solely responsible for household chores, their significant success in various domains discredits this notion. Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, serves as a prime example with her diligent and accountable nature in her profession. Moreover, women in sports excel as exemplary working individuals.

These points demonstrate that people take stereotypes as truths without considering their origin. Stereotypes contribute to discrimination between men and women and negatively impact their psychology. The flaws in stereotypes prove that they are merely assumptions with no logical basis. If individuals were to experience the imposition of stereotypes themselves, they would understand the feeling of becoming part of a misconception.

Stereotypes create false perceptions of individuals and can be emotionally harmful. They may even drive individuals to extreme measures in an attempt to disprove these assumptions. Although stereotypes may be widely held beliefs, they lack a factual basis, making it morally and ethically inappropriate to make judgments about someone's qualities or behaviors based on them.

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