What's wrong with generalizing?

Question

If a large number of people from a specific group keep repeating the same pattern of behavior over and over again, why does it hurt to make legitimate generalizations when discussing these things if they are really happening? It's one thing to make up bold face lies about people, it's another thing entirely to make generalizations (no matter how blunt or insensitive they may be) if they based off valid and legitimate reality.

You understand right that when people "generalize" they are not talking about all the members of that group, just the majority of them.

People are just too sensitive these days.

Answer 1

To the people who don't fit the criteria of your most likely bigoted generalizations, they are a bold face lie. Generalizing and stereotyping give a false sense of security and knowledge. They aren't rational.

Answer 2

hey your right but it is ignorant to think ALL of them act that way. and its true certain cultures act a certain way it apart of their culture but it dosent apply to every single 1 person just the majority of atleast over half.

Answer 3

Everybody is different.....Have yuuu ever heard of that saying?

Answer 4

Stereotyping leads to discrimination

Answer 5

because its not true.

lies lies lies..

Answer 6

sorry but... isn't that what generalizing means?  to appear to be talking about all of the things or members of a group at the same time.  at least that's what i thought it meant.  but i could be wrong.

i think you contradict your first paragraph with your second statement... but to answer your question:  when you make an assumption based on a large number of people from a specific group, you might be hurting a small number of people in that same group that don't exhibit that same behavior.  for example:  black guys that wear their pants down to their knees.  i hate that ****, but it would be wrong for me to say that all black guys do that.  because it's not true, even though lots of them do it.

Answer 7

"You understand right that when people "generalize" they are not talking about all the members of that group, just the majority of them."

Generalizations are based on limited experience so there's no way to measure whether the majority of a group are exhibiting a certain behavior. Not only that but how is it fair to the people who don't fit into blanket labels?  

Answer 8

i generalize you in the category of ignorant and stereotypical. it don't matter if you are not its just a generalization