Revise to Original work INF 103

Running Head: STEREOTYPES 1

STEREOTYPES 5

Stereotypes

name

PHI103: Informal Logic

Instructor:

May 8, 2013

Stereotypes

Stereotyping is any commonly known public belief about a certain social group or individual. They are often confused with prejudices because like prejudices a stereotype is simply based on a prior assumption. There are many different types of stereotypes such as race, gender and lifestyle. Stereotypes are not easy for individuals to deal with because at times others say and do things that are extremely harsh. These stereotypes can affect individuals in many ways if they don’t know how to overcome what others say.

I have gone through a lot of stereotypes in my time, but one that is most common is my race. I am Puerto Rican, African American, and Italian. When people here that I am Puerto Rican, African American, and Italian they ask if I like to drink. They say that people in these races are usually heavy drinkers. They are surprised to know that I don’t drink and at times I get asked what’s wrong with me and I reply nothing. Another stereotype I here is “Do you have family members in the Mafia?” No, I don’t have family members in the Mafia. Just because someone is Italian it doesn’t mean that they are nor have family members that are a part of the Mafia. Another stereotype I have had to deal with because of my race is “Do you have members of your family that are in jail?” Once again no I don’t and I just brush it off. Lastly, the one I hear a lot is that Puerto Ricans are uneducated lazy people and have a lot of kids with different individuals. I obviously am an educated individual. I have gone to work to come home to three beautiful children all from the same woman and have provided, and taken great care of them. My home is always clean and smells delightful.

A stereotype that I have dealt with and continue to deal with is being mixed with African American. There is a lot of stereo typing and always wondering what’s going on around me. Some people say that we are beneath them and shouldn’t acquire a position above them. Some people won’t listen to me when I tell them how it is. Just the other day someone told me you are lucky to be African American because all the benefits you get. When I lived in New York I held a wonderful job as a Paraprofessional. When I moved to Florida I knew it was going to be tough at first when we moved because of several reasons. In New York, I had two children in school, but in the start of Florida only one would attend because of when the others birthday. This left not one but two children at home. Child Care for one child is expensive enough so imagine for two. So I decided to stay home and concentrate on not only my studies but my daughters education. She loved going to school and so since in New York I gained the knowledge of teaching as a Paraprofessional, I decided to work with her. It also gives me time for my school work and hopefully sometime soon I can double up on classes. People still believe that women belong in their homes, but women nowadays are at Presidents and CEO’s of major companies, because they have worked so hard and put stereotypes behind them. We have proven that we are strong, independent, intelligent and reliable. We have come far from what our ancestors went through in the past.

Finally, I have been stereotyped by my lifestyle both past and present. I grew up in the on Military bases. When I was younger I use to hear that individuals who are Military dependants think they’re better than everyone else and stuck up. They also said that I would join the service and be a robot and think I’m better than everyone outside of the Military. I can gladly say I was never like that and care for good people outside of the Military too. I was raised in my house and was known as the goody two shoes of the family. It’s funny but my fiancé grew up outside of the Military and had the same thoughts as everyone else because she lived by a Military base all her life and that’s what she experianced. My father, who also dealt with the stereotype of being a single father, put me in a Military high school where I received my degree and went off to college. Now, while in Military school I heard how all Military school boys where uptight and once again I proved them wrong.

As a African American I have had my shares of stereotypes, but as an individual who is biracial I have dealt with more. People who say and do bad things to others don’t realize who bad these stereotypes can be because not everyone can deal with criticism. No one is perfect and everyone in one way or another can be a part of a stereotype. Instead of allowing these stereotypes to affect us or allow us to affect others, we should find ways to make the world a better place for all. Stereotyping is not only hurtful, it is also wrong. Even if the stereotype is correct in some cases, constantly putting someone down based on your preconceived perceptions will not encourage them to succeed.

Reference

Ditto, P. (n.d.). How Pre-existing Beliefs Distort Logical Reasoning. In Ashford University.

Retrieved October 19, 2012, from http://searchcenter.intelecomonline.net/playClipDirect.aspx?id=E22DB555B562B463C0F5EE35DE315BCB5CA9621ED0132E1823264876125E799D17894744555

Kemick, A. (August 12, 2010). Stereotyping Has Lasting Negative Impact. In US News.

Retrieved October 19, 2012, from http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2010/08/12/stereotyping-has-lasting-negative-impact

Mosser, K. (2011). An introduction to logic . San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.