STEREOTYPES

A stereotype is a cluster of beliefs usually lacking a rational basis regarding the

members of some group. The word ‘stereotype’ was first used by Walter Lipman
in his book “Public Opinion” (1922).
According to Albrecht, Thomas & Chadwick (1980) “A stereotype is a belief
about some particular trait being prevalent among all members of a social group.
Whatever be the characteristic it is assumed to vest all people in that category.
Therefore, all members of the group are perceived and understood alike.” From
above definitions it can be concluded that:
➢ Stereotype is a set of beliefs used to categorise people.
➢ Such categorisation is exaggerated and lacks in truth.
➢ This categorisation provides for the basis for gross generalisation bout people.
➢ Some particular physical, social and cultural characteristics are ascertained which
serve to identify people of that group.
➢ There is general consensus as to the prevalence of a particular trait among people
of that category.
➢ It is assumed that a person will exhibit all the traits of that category simply
because he is member of that group.

Characteristics of Stereotypes
Stereotype is a mental picture or image about people of a community or category
on the basis of which we ascribe traits or characteristics to people.
Stereotype is a widely agreed belief about people of some category or community.
For example, it is widely agreed that politicians are opportunist ( it’s a stereotype)

Stereotype involves gross and exaggerated generalisations. An important

characteristic of stereotype is that they develop out of experiences with individuals
of other community and are then extended to apply to all members of that
community.

Stereotypes usually are not amenable to change despite information and evidence
to the contrary.
Positive or negative stereotype: A stereotype can have either direction i.e. it can
be positive or negative. For example, Japanese are generally believed to be industrious and
diligent.

Gender Stereotype
A gender stereotype is a generalized view or preconception about attributes or characteristics,
or the roles that are or ought to be possessed by, or performed by, women and men. A gender
stereotype is harmful when it limits women’s and men’s capacity to develop their personal
abilities, pursue their professional careers and/or make choices about their lives. Whether
overtly hostile (such as “women are irrational”) or seemingly benign (“women are
nurturing”), harmful stereotypes perpetuate inequalities. For example, the traditional view of
women as care givers means that child care responsibilities often fall exclusively on women.
Further, gender stereotypes compounded and
intersecting with other stereotypes have a disproportionate negative impact on certain groups
of men and women, such as men and women from minority or indigenous groups, the one
with disabilities or with lower economic status etc. Gender stereotyping refers to the practice
of ascribing to an individual woman or man specific attributes, characteristics, or roles by
reason only of her or his membership in the social group of women or men. Gender
stereotyping is wrongful when it results in a violation or violations of human rights and
fundamental freedoms. Examples include:
Not criminalizing marital rape, perceiving that women are the sexual property of men.

DISCRIMINATION
The term discrimination refers to differential treatment taken against a person or group
because they belong to certain class, caste, gender, etc. Discrimination is the differential
behaviour towards another group. It involves excluding or restricting members of one group
from accessing opportunities that are available to other groups. Discriminatory behaviour
takes many forms and involves in social, political and economic exclusion. This
disadvantages lead to different kinds of discrimination and injustice. Gender encompasses
elements of injustice which stems from the dominant value of the society. The devaluation of
women in the society leads to their discrimination. This discrimination manifests in the form
of dowry, son preference, sex trafficking, unpaid labour, abuse, nutritional deprivation, lack
of education, lack of opportunities in the labour market, domestic violence, other economic,
social and political disadvantages. This discrimination takes different forms in different
context. In US, race structures plays an important role that too women from disadvantaged
race are paid low, have low status, do menial jobs and they are mostly in domestic
occupation. In Indian context, caste is also associated with this discrimination. The lower
caste women have double burden of being a woman and hailing from lower caste. According
to Arjan De Haan these discriminations and deprivations are multi-dimensional. For example,
a landless female daily labourer of Scheduled Caste is very likely to be poor, illiterate, with
poor health status, have little social capital and she finds it difficult to exercise her
constitutional rights. Her quality of life is less because of discrimination.

GENDER DISCRIMINATION

Gender discrimination describes the situation in which people are treated differently
simply because they are male or female, rather than on the basis of their individual
skills or capabilities.

What is gender discrimination?

Gender discrimination is when someone is treated unequally or disadvantageously based on
their gender. This includes harassment/discrimination based on sex, gender identity, or
gender expression. Gender discrimination is often rooted in preconceived, false societal and
personal notions about what gender is, how gender "should" look, or how gender is
performed. Gender discrimination is harmful by limiting the ways people express and
identify themselves. It also isolates or marginalizes members of our community who do not
conform to historical, limited, and traditional views of gender.

We are all influenced by gender. Gender norms (or rules) tell us what is
appropriate for girls and for boys, women and men to do in our society. Girls and
women suffer the negative impact of rigid gender norms and roles and are likely to
experience restrictions of their freedom and mobility; they experience epidemic
levels of violence and harassment across the globe and have fewer opportunities to
choose how to live their lives.

Boys and men suffer too. Ideas about what it means to be a man force boys and men
to behave in very limited ways which can harm them. Negative masculinities
encouraged in boys serve to perpetuate the cycle of discrimination and inequality.
Denying people the freedom to choose their path in life because of their gender
prevents them from fulfilling their full potential. There is a lot which we can do to
help build a more gender-equal world. Understanding the deep roots of gender
inequality and challenging discrimination when we see it are the first steps.

The following is a list of discriminatory acts you may come across among your
peers, at home, at school or in the workplace.

• Sexual harassment, catcalling

Harassment and catcalling on the street are prime examples of how women’s right
to walk freely around their environment is restricted. The normalisation of
harassment and inaction of bystanders and authorities perpetuate this form of
discrimination and limit women’s freedom.

• Gender stereotypes at school and work

Stereotypes are how societies expect people to act based on their gender. For
example, girls should stay at home and help with housework and childcare, should
dress modestly and not stay out late at night. People are often judged by how well
they adhere to the gender stereotypes.

These stereotypes can often bleed out into school and work, where girls are less
likely to be encouraged into science and technology subjects or leadership roles,
due to the perceived ‘male nature’ of these pursuits. Likewise, seemingly positive
stereotypes and gender roles such as men being the ‘provider’ or ‘protector’ of the
family, put an unnecessary burden on men and boys that could more positively be
shared in an equal partnership.

These attitudes limit girls’ power by rendering them less able to help contribute to
making the world around them a better place.

• Objectification and poor representation

Objectification is when a person is treated as a commodity or an object without

regard to their personality or dignity. It commonly happens in the media where
women are photoshopped and airbrushed leading to much more emphasis and value
being put on their external appearance above other capacities. This affects girls’
body image, their self-esteem and ultimately the value they put on themselves.

However, girls are also often represented poorly in entertainment and the media in
ways that reinforce damaging gender stereotypes and traditional roles.
Objectification must be called out and girls must be encouraged to tell their own
stories – ones that reflect their power, potential and diversity.

Gender Equality

 The view that both men and women should receive equal treatment and not be
discriminated against based on their gender.
 Also known as sex equality, gender equalitarianism, sexual equality or equality of the
genders.

 The process of being fair to men and women.

 Requires equal enjoyment by women and men of socially valued- goods, opportunities,
resources and rewards.

 It doesn’t mean men and women being the same.

HOW CAN WE CALL OUT GENDER DISCRIMINATION

1. Speak out about your own experiences

It’s important, if you feel comfortable, to call out your own experiences of
discrimination. This could be highlighting sexist remarks made by your friends or
peers or reporting harassment on public transport.

It’s important to note that there are dangers associated with calling others out on
their behaviour. People may not like to have their viewpoints challenged; they may
react in a negative or aggressive way, so if your instincts tells you that a situation is
too risky, your own safety is the priority.

Often the best course of action when discrimination is experienced is to alert an

authority figure – a member of staff on public transport, or where relevant your
teacher or your boss. The more they are made aware these issues are happening, the
more they’ll be encouraged to step in and be part of the solution.

2. Call out discrimination in the media and advertising

Write to advertisers, marketers and media outlets if you come across stories that
portray women and girls in a reductive or unfair way.

• Are there gender stereotypes in your textbooks at school?

• Does an advert in your city objectify women?
• Does a film you’ve watched have fewer speaking roles for women?

Find out who is responsible and write to them to let them know your thoughts.

Also vote with your feet. Don’t support entertainment that is disrespectful to girls
and women and doesn’t represent their true power, potential, talent and diversity.

3. Support other campaigners

A great way to make a big effect in the pursuit of gender equality is to join with
others. Seek out local campaign groups. Join or set up school or university societies
for gender equality and female leadership. There is strength in numbers, more
voices tackling a particular issue means they are more likely to be heard.
Helping to raise the profile of campaigns by other marginalised groups is a vital
part of ending discrimination. For example, girls from a minority or indigenous
community may experience racism as well as sexism, and members of the
LGBTIQ+ community may also be experiencing homophobia. Be their allies and
lend your voice to their causes.

4. It’s OK to not challenge discrimination every time you see it

As mentioned above, sometimes calling out discrimination can carry risks. It’s not
your job alone to fix the world. We are all part of the same movement.

Just changing how we relate with others, and demanding that others do the same,
will not end gender inequality. Lasting change will only happen if the institutions
that affect our lives also change. Don’t feel defeated by these big obstacles – each
small achievement is an extra step towards our shared goal.

Caring for ourselves means we can continue to advocate for gender equality so
always make sure you are maintaining your own wellbeing.

Conclusion
Gender discrimination must be checked at every stage so that no person should be denied a
chance to learn and grow. Thus, everyone, no matter male or female, must get a start in life in
terms of educations and other opportunities. We must come together as a society to do this.