We live in a world in which so much information is thrown at
us with amazing speed and our brains must quickly process this information.
Sometimes generalizations help organize this information and other times it
does great harm. I have a problem with generalizations and with the people who
use them. Generalizations are statements or concepts which make an inference
from specific cases. In other words, it is a broad statement about a group
based on one individual from that group. It irritates me when sometime makes a
generalization statement especially when I know individuals who do not fit the
statement. You can know when you use generalizations is when you use the word
“all.” What are generalizations? What is the problem with generalizations? How
can we avoid them?
Generalizations can be used like stereotypes. Stereotypes
are widely held but fixed and oversimplified images or ideas about a person due
to their inclusion in a group or category. Sometimes the stereotypes are valid
and true for one individual, but they can be false for others. There are five
types of generalizations. First, racial profiling in which an entire race has a
specific skill, like all Blacks are great athletes, or all Asians are very
smart. Second, gender profiling in which members of this group behave in a
certain way. For example, since Valentine’s Day was a couple days ago, all
women want jewelry and expensive gifts. While I do know some women, who do
expect to be showered with expensive gifts, I know a lot of women, myself
included, who do not. Third, cultural profiling is basing everyone together
based on their cultural or national identity. For example, all Irish are
drunks, or all Jews are greedy. Fourth, profiling based on group identity. For
example, all goths are depressed, or all geeks are socially awkward. Lastly,
sexual profiling in which assumptions are made based on someone’s sexual
preferences. For examples, all feminine men are gay, all masculine women are
lesbian.
The problem with generalization is that it lumps everyone
who identify with a group with having a specific attribute. Stereotypes are
quick tactics people use when talking about the problems of the world (Greene
2015). Some stereotypes seem harmless and even individuals in those groups make
use of the generalizations for comic effect. Many comedians use stereotypes to make
shed light on the stereotypes themselves. Humorist Mary Hirsch once said,
“Humor is a rubber sword- it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.”
Even positive stereotypes can be very hurtful and dangerous. People who don’t
live up to positive stereotypes often feel like failures and those who do,
don’t get the credit for the effort they put in (Devarajan 2018). A black
athlete who is praised for his “natural talent” may feel his hours are practice
are ignored. Even believing in the positive stereotypes, like a strong black
woman, can lead to believing in the negative stereotypes, like all black men
are deadbeat dads (Devarajan 2018). What stops us from believing negative
stereotypes when we believe in positive ones? “Generalization is just another
excuse to use stereotypes and it oversimplifies issues” (Greene 2015).
How do we avoid using generalizations? First, stop using the
word “ALL.” Simple as that. When you use the word “all” you include everyone,
and everyone may not fit. Not all Blacks are great athletes. Not all Asians are
super smart. Not all Mexicans are here illegally. Not all whites are racists.
Not all Muslims are terrorists and not all terrorists are Muslims. Second, pay
attention to broad and generic statements. These statements tend to distort
reality and often play on our emotions. I see these types of statements all the
time in politics and religion especially in the media. It only takes a moment
to stop and question the statement. Even if you ultimately believe it to be
true, stop and analyze it first. Third, ask yourself for real life examples of
those who fit the statement and those who do not. Challenge the statement. You
may come up with more examples of those individuals who fit the statement
because that is what you pay attention to; however, challenge yourself to find
examples of those who don’t. You may find yourself seeing more and more examples
of those who don’t fit the stereotypes.
In conclusion, generalizations are statements which are made
about individuals within a group. Generalizations are made by race, gender,
group identity, culture and sexuality. Negative and positive generalizations
are hurt those who the statements are made, sometimes creating an image that
individuals cannot escape or live up to. Avoiding generalizations is hard; but
not impossible. It takes active awareness of when generalizations and stereotypes
are used. I try my best to avoid thinking about people in terms of
generalizations and I realize it is difficult. Sometimes the people who fit
those generalizations are the ones we notice more but we might be surprised to
find many individuals who don’t fit these statements. We need to be aware of these
generalized statements.
Devarajan, Kumari (February 17, 2018). ’Strong’ Black Woman?
‘Smart’ Asian Man? The Downside to Positive Stereotypes. www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2018/02/17/586181350/strong-black-woman-smart-asian-man-the-downside-to-positive-stereotypes.
Retrieved February 14, 2019.
Greene, Ava (November 30, 2015). The Problem with
Generalization www.theodysseyonline.com/generalization.
Retrieved February 13, 2019.
No comments:
Post a Comment