There are three ways in which gender stereotyping may lead to abuse.
1. Stereotypes may support abusive behavior, such as “women should be submissive to men.”
2. Stereotypes people hold of their own gender may encourage them to use abuse, like “men should be tough.”
3. Stereotypes a person holds of their partner’s gender may give them reason to be abusive, like “why aren’t you more athletic, richer, stronger like men should be?”
Its normal to have expectations of yourself and others, but be wary of unfair expectations. Can you think of a time when you held an unfair expectation of someone? When has someone held an unfair expectation of you?
Stereotypes take away individuality and put people into a pre-made box. The stereotype may not be a negative characteristic, but it still may not be at all like the individual. By looking past the real individual and looking only at preconceived views it can hurt people by influencing actions, blaming the innocent, and limiting relationships.
Why do you think people use stereotypes? Because it is easy? Because of societal pressures? We have the right to decide how we treat others (even when they do not fit into the pre-made box) and how we are treated by others.
Stereotypes take away individuality and put people into a pre-made box. The stereotype may not be a negative characteristic, but it still may not be at all like the individual. By looking past the real individual and looking only at preconceived views it can hurt people by influencing actions, blaming the innocent, and limiting relationships.
Why do you think people use stereotypes? Because it is easy? Because of societal pressures? We have the right to decide how we treat others (even when they do not fit into the pre-made box) and how we are treated by others.
Thought provoking ideas!
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