Why do people have a hard time accepting the fact that most stereotypes and generalizations are actually true?

Question

If something really wasn't true, the stereotype wouldn't exist in the first place. Make sense? Stereotypes don't just come out of thin air, they emerge when a large number of people from a specific group keep repeating a same pattern of behavior. Therefore, for the most part, they are true.

I know this is the non-PC thing to say, but isn't that how it works?

Answer 1

because it's not fair to judge them on what the majority does. It's basically the same as racism if you really think about. If the majority of a country is white and you're black just because the majority is white doesn't make you white, you are still black. Now let's apply that same concept to stereotypes. Say your parents are rich and you grew up in a rich world where everyone around you was a spoiled brat and got everything they ever wanted. But you were not a spoiled brat and didn't get everything you wanted, you had to work hard for whatever it is you had. Now think, after all that hard work someone comes and judges you to be a spoiled brat when you're not. They do this without even getting to know you at all, they just base this on the fact of where you grew up. It would sure as heck make me mad. Just because you grew up in a rich environment doesn't mean that you are like everyone else. Just because someone is around a group doesn't automatically make them part of that group. Stereotyping is bad and it shouldn't be done. It happens I accept that, but it shouldn't.  

Answer 2

I work in a homeless shelter, & I can honestly say that there's basis in fact for your point of view. However, there are exceptions to the general rule. Not everyone who comes to our shelter is there as a result of their own bad choices. We get abused spouses, those who are burned out of their homes, those who are evicted because of lost jobs, & these are an even mix of races. There are some waiting on disability determinations, & some who just want a "flop house" out of extreme weather conditions. Those that use drugs & abuse alcohol don't stand much of a chance of staying because they refuse to face the reality of being their own worst enemies. Again, in most cases race isn't an issue. But generalizations are still based in fact -- why else do enforcers of the law use these generalizations in what we call "profiling"? ~:|>

Answer 3

I actually don't think that is true. If you picked a cross section of people from a certain group that were supposed to share a trait (Irish people drink to excess) you would find that not all of them do. If you picked another group of non-Irish you would find that some of them drink to excess as well. It is just easier for people to make assumptions than to investigate.  

Answer 4

yeah well it's not ALWAYS true...

that's why it's unfair to judge someone before you know them.

just cuz someone dresses a certain way doesn't mean they act a certain way. most of the time the stereotype is true but so often it isn't. why make an unfair assessment of someone before you know them?  

Answer 5

Some stereotypes are true to a point,but you cannot judge a person based on that stereotype. For example,my husband and I were at Walmart the other day,just getting school supplies and looking in the electronics department. Since my husband is black,he was being followed around by this white guy,as if he was going to steal. That is one stereotype. It was unfair that he was being judged,but as I said,stereotypes are wrong,not everyone does what the stereotype says. You cannot judge one by the stereotypes.

Answer 6

*laughs*  Because NOT everybody fits them.  Yes, there is at least one example that makes that stereotype completely...somehow true.  But to put a person under the radar based on a "justified" belief is not fair.  Of course, rapists and killers are the exception--those need to be locked up, lol.