Do you feel that positive stereotypes are okay?

Question

i don't

Answer 1

Aren't those called Role Models?

Answer 2

This is an answer I gave to someone else about stereotypes...
Stereotypes are one of the ways in which our brains manage to deal with the mass of information with which it is bombarded constantly. Agreed, many of our stereotypes are incorrect when they are dissected but our brains digest the visual images and compartmentalise what they see automatically into our pre-learned stereotypes. We can then take a step back and assess each person as an individual. Occasionally our stereotypes kick in to protect us - for example, if you were walking home alone late at night and ahead of you, you saw the figure of a pretty big guy wearing a hoodie and staggering slightly, your brain would stereotype him as a possible danger to you and make you cross over the road away from him. This action could save you from being attacked. Of course, it may be that this man is nothing like the image you have built up of him but at least your brain has worked to keep you out of danger.

We take on board what others have told us about people because we 'want' to appear to be in agreement with our peers, what we must remind ourselves to do is to keep our minds open until we have the chance to judge the person for ourselves. As for positive stereotyping, this is still only your personal view, what you see as a positive stereotype may not necessarily be the same as someone elses view of a positive stereotype.

Answer 3

All stereotypes are a way to simplify the world. When someone looks suspicious you are warned, when someone looks okay, you are not. Problem with a negative stereotype is that it is making it difficult for a person to get in touch or to surprise you. Positive stereotypes are in that way okay: they say: listen to this person, it may be important.
Positive stereotypes like "blacks can dance" are in my opinion discriminating, but less harmful than "blacks can not think as good as Asians"
Be open and get surprised, it will enlarge your world

Answer 4

Absolutely not! In fact I'm not sure they don't do more harm than negative ones.

A negative stereotype is easily recognisable as racist etc. A positive one can be defended as 'but I didn't say anything BAD, it was a compliment' etc.

However the stereotype is still discriminatory and encourages us to label people into categories and judge them accordingly, which is prejudice. The use of stereotypes supports a mode of thinking which carried to its final extreme gave us the Holocaust.

They are also often just as offensive to the butt of them as negative ones. Try this experiment - say something to a black person suggesting that they love watermelon and have a natural sense of rhythm. (Make sure you pick a civilised person so that they will merely despise you and not clock you one).

Answer 5

I agree with JG. If you have a steretype like, for example, all asians are good at maths, then this will inversly effect those asians who are not good at maths and they will treated as being twice as stupid as a regular person would. No sterotype is good, it's called prejudging. And even a positive prejudice is still prejudice.

And a role model is only a role model if what is said about them is true. If you a black man as a role model to young athletes because it is assumed that he is good at sport but isn't, then what's the point?

Answer 6

when I tell people i'm a Gemini they only check out me, and bypass... Oh! i'm uncertain the thank you to take that whether it does get demanding. I definitely have heard that Gemini's are 2-confronted and loopy people. Gemini's do have 2 facets. I do trust that. I do have a solid (angel) part, yet once you piss me off the undesirable (evil) part comes out. My increasing sign is Gemini, others assume me to be the clever-speaking jokester of the bunch, the only to return up with all of the vibrant, somewhat mischievous recommendations (which I do). that's in basic terms the Gemini air of secrecy I provide off. whether i've got faith completely affected person waiting in that long line, I look under pressure to those around me. I consistently ought to observe what I say -- there must be rumors of me being a gossip hound -- whether my comments are uttered with in basic terms the suited intentions. extra desirable than something, I come for the era of as witty, and people are arranged to be inspired by using in basic terms approximately something I maysay!

Answer 7

"Positive Stereotypes" can also be harmful. If not to that person, then to others.

Imagine someone pickin' the black kid for a basketball game 'cuz he's black.

Or teachers putting extra pressure on the asian students 'cuz the stereotype is "Asians are good at math/science"...

Answer 8

Like what? That all us girls that wear glasses are smart? That's not a stereotype, it's true.

I'm wondering what you mean. Like that people in suits are making more money? What stereotypes? Believe me, I prefer to see people in professional clothing working at my accountant's office, my lawyer's office, my bank, whatever. If my doctor comes in not wearing a white coat and, instead, wearing a Hawaiin print shirt, I'd freak.

Answer 9

what is a positive stereotype any way

Answer 10

They can be ok, but they can also lead people to think the wrong thing about you. My Korean friend was allways mad that people allways thought he was good at math. He allways felt a lot of pressure to do good in school because asians are supposed to be good at school. He's not stupid, but he just didn't do all that well in school. It was pressure he didn't need.