If people deviate notably from the norm, many find it unsettling. • The fact that the disabled are different than normal, results in discrimination against them. • If people themselves are on the margins of society, they may wish to assert their own strength by taking it out on those even lower in the pecking order. • Usually men admit that they regard mental handicap as a disqualification from the human race. • Psychological and cultural influences, are also a reason for unease with the disabled.
Stereotyping keeps society stuck in a mental bog of unsupported philosophies and unwarranted truth. The assumption may be that stereotyping is a personal opinion; but the act itself inhibits healthy interactions, drives negativity, injustice, discrimination, and weakens social consciousness, by weakening unity and relationships. Nowadays, although stereotyping is negative, the door for conversation and revelation exploring justifiable reasons and solutions to the problem has taken a relevant place in society. Although not entirely dysfunctional, stereotyping is rarely seen in a positive light because most times the assumptions lead to tension, disagreement, and confusion. In order to promote a peaceful coexistence and unity society must not rely on unfounded assumptions regarding a specific culture, ethnicity, or sect.
Have you ever been judged for being around a certain type of group of people? If you have then congratulations, you are part of the many stereotypes created by society, and you probably have classified other people into these stereotypes as well. There are stereotypes and misconceptions, a stereotypes is used to categorize a group of people, a widely believed mental picture of the group, although the truth can be exaggerated. For example, grouping a race, gender, or sexuality together without knowing them and judging them is being stereotypical. Now misconceptions are formed from having stereotypes, they are views that are incorrect based on opinions that were wrong.
Unknowingly these discriminatory figures are disrupting or damaging other people 's’ lives. Many of the discriminatory population refutes to accept diversity, with the only cause being a single difference of a person. Although people are all human some individuals overlook this and see only the differences, as if they lived in a superficial world stubborn to see the similarities. The ideals grow into hate and further reaching into rage. These misplaced emotions are overflowed and directed into actions toward a varied person or group.
Stereotypes are placed on people because it is a way to easily identify what type of person or ethnicity an individual is. At one point in time, these stereotypes may have been true; however, in today’s modern society, most of these stereotypes are outdated and false, which leads them to turn into misconceptions. Usually, stereotypes are utilized to humiliate and degrade the person or group; they also do not provide any beneficial outcomes. Stereotypes focus on how a particular group acts because of the radical ideas and actions of the few, how a particular group looks, or how that group is physically lacking in some way. These stereotypes often lead to conflicts because the group does not appreciate the way it is being perceived.
Others think we learn it from our elders. Either one could be true, as there are various controversial beliefs about why prejudice exists in the world. One interesting theory is that prejudice is an emotional reaction that is triggered in our brain whenever we encounter unknown people, who have different physical characteristics, different personalities, and/or different beliefs. In fact, these unfamiliar people scare us, and we start treating them differently to reassure ourselves that they cannot possibly matter to us. Another possible reason for prejudice could be negative education about others, either direct or indirect.
This in turn, may cause their peers to be angered at the special treatment that they receive, which causes more division between the groups. That what also causes the separation of these groups in the fact that affirmative action is designed to help and protect only a certain population, thus, those not covered will, by default, feel like they are being antagonized. Those not under affirmative action might also treat those who are, as inferior, because they feel more entitled. But that not all, many people disagree with the use of
This is a pertinent concern in our society because of the way this prejudice affects the mentally ill. Not only are they faced with feelings of insecurity about who they are, but they also are subject to be treated as less than equals, and are seen as outcasts. As any logical person would conclude, this does in no way help the person going down the path of recovery. When what they would need is understanding and acceptance by their surroundings, they are faced instead with distrust and fear by others. There are many matters that are being debated and argued about that are less pressing than erasing the stigma. People are affected with mental disorders daily and it does not only have an impact on the person but as well as on society’s progress; its mentality and its development.
Then when this person interacts with someone with perceived physical differences that are bizarre they feel disgusted. Even with all of moder... ... middle of paper ... ...separating the majority from the minority. To believe the contrary would destroy the idea of the of the majority and minority; thoughts that continue to thrive today. It is almost as if human nature wants to be categorized and reaffirm ones personal idea that they are unique but in given standards. Girard makes the argument that a breakdown in a lack of differentiation has negative effects on society as a whole.
Why should we accept this kind of behavior? “Stereotyping is especially prevalent – and problematic – in conflicts. Groups tend to define themselves according to who they are and who they are not. And ‘others,’ especially ‘enemies’ or ‘opponents’ are often viewed in very negative ways. The opponent is expected to be aggressive, self-serving, and deceitful, for example, while people in one’s own group are seen in generally positive ways.” (Burgess 6-7) The world should not be a competition of who is better by beauty, money, IQ, etc.