Stereotypes

     Stereotypes are the cause of prejudice and hate in society. Often times, they are used in cruel jokes that target a group of people. Stereotypes in society are used as an acceptable way to humiliate and discriminate an individual, or sometimes an entire race. However, it is certain that these stereotypes do not classify and correctly describe someone. With that being said, the question, "What factors contribute to such prejudice and how?" comes into play. The idea of stereotypes generates from many different outlets. The most powerful one is usually the media. The media regulates and decides what can be implanted into people's brains, especially children's. From a young age, children learn through biased media that it is acceptable to make fun of a race, gender, religion, because the rest of the world is participating also. Other factors include parental attitudes, and general viewpoints based off of certain events we see throughout our lives. These factors are not necessarily valid, and contribute to why prejudice takes place in the form of stereotypes. Consequently, the question of, "Is it possible to grow to adulthood without harboring at least some prejudice toward certain groups?" arises. At a young age, we learn it is acceptable to have some sort of discrimination against a certain person, for example if a friend does not share their toys, they are now the enemy. This idea makes its way into adulthood. In adulthood, however, the issue of toys is transformed to the issue of money, well-being, and other advantages that arise. For example, if a coworker is not dressed as fashionable as you are, but receives the promotion you were working so hard for, that coworker is now made suspicious by you and the rest of the staff. The stereotype of appearances plays a major role in adulthood, because of the way life decisions, such as promotions in a job, are made.