Stereotypes And Being A Man/Woman
1. Introduction
Stereotypes are a kind of characterizations or views or distorted images on a group of persons(Macrare,1996). These may not be always based on facts or truths but may be based on certain prejudices or prejudgement regarding that group. The stereotypes need not always be positive. They have a great influence on the expectations about how a man or woman should be .Stereotypes influence the way of raising of children by parents and in turn, the way of raising children has a great influence on the stereotypes. This essay discusses these influences in detail.
2. Impact of Stereotypes on the Way of Raising Children
Generally, men are expected to be brave, fearless, logical and independent thinkers as well as good initiators. Women are expected to be softer, emotional etc (Macrare,1996). These expectations are based on the stereotypes formed by media, elderly people etc. Parents normally raise the children based on these stereotypes and teach their children to show the manly or womanly characteristics. If a boy shows emotions or does not show control or dominance, then parents teach these characteristics as unmanly even if the boy’s behaviour is humane or positive. Similarly, if a girl seems to be not emotional and courageous, then many traditional parents teach these as manly characteristics based on the images they get from media and the comments from elderly.
3. Impact of the Way of Raising Children on Stereotypes
A man or woman understands in his /her very childhood days itself about the various stereotypes. Hence, the way of raising children has a great influence on the stereotypes. According to many studies, (Allanport, 1979) a child at the age of three itself comes to know about various prejudices regarding racial or ethnic groups through their parents, community etc. Consequently, they seem to be attracted towards their own racial or ethnic group and show negative treatment towards others. Many studies (Allanport, 1979) have shown that children who are brought up in a supporting, friendly and peaceful family atmosphere will be more accommodating, tolerant and loving in the future. They will not show any discrimination to others and accept all people as human beings irrespective of caste or race.
4. Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that stereotypes have a major influence on the way of raising children whether they are positive or negative. On the other hand, the way of raising children strongly affects stereotypes too. It need not be good tendency always. Children need to be born and brought up as good human beings rather than based on stereotypes. Humanitarian vales need to be promoted in children even if they are against traditional manly or womanly characteristics. This in turn will create good human beings in the future.
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