However progressed you may think you are, somehow the society tends to have its peculiar influence and discriminating difference of thought in the minds of many people.
It is because society is constructed that way. We give a lot of importance to what society thinks, comments, and grades an individual because of his/her life choices.
We are just advanced in aspects of science and technology, but on moralistic and humane terms we are in retrograde evolution (reverse gear).
This whole article is just to open up different dimensions of stereotypes to all the readers, because most of us are in this illusion that our beliefs are not stereotypical.
Something that you don’t like or follow, is not always wrong. There can be differences of opinion and lifestyle. We all are different in appearance, can be different in thoughts also. Unfortunately, in this judgemental society everything is associated with respect and pride.
I feel talking of such issues without the barrier of the word ‘stereotype’, is an act of respect and adds a feather on my cap; unlike what the crooked minds in society relate to.
Gender determination of foetus
I had to begin it with the most hilarious one. I had my own classmates in a science environment talking baseless statements about how a woman alone is responsible for giving birth to a particular gender.
I could talk the whole biology here and make it clear once and for all, but our minds prioritise stupid myths and stereotypes over science and logic.
Is the short too short?
Disclaimer: I am talking about reality and not about what we follow. You might have broad-minded families, but the society is quite narrow. So all this is intended to it.
I took this in specific because it’s something I have seen on a daily basis and it’s high time somebody points it out.
Men can wear shorts and roam on the roads without being stared upon. It’s just casual wear. But the same short worn by a girl or a woman is exposing. See how terms change. You don’t like it, don’t wear it. You have no rights to pass lewd comments.
Baby products advertisements
The mother is shown taking care of the child always. Why? Isn’t the father equally responsible as the mother.
Complexion chaos
We talk of eliminating racial discrimination, but we advertise fairness and beauty products. This cream will lighten your skin tone in just 21 days. WOW. So in this case, there’ll be no person with a dark complexion.
Even babies in advertisements are always fair. Media is supposed to end such stereotypical depictions, but here it endorses with double the enthusiasm.
Regional indifference
Especially in nation-wide famous colleges and universities, students from different parts of India meet at one place.
I cannot generalise that everybody is going to turn into a sceptic, but in most cases people tend to deliver statements that could be quite sceptical.
For instance, I heard most people from the north India say that south India = Tamil Nadu.
Like bro, what happened to other states, which you’ve studied in your social classes?
Dinner table discussions
A standardised list of topics is prepared of what to talk and what not to talk with the family over the dinner table.
Especially if children come up with taboo topics, their whole friends circle is blamed for being the ‘influencers’.
I think the most common and not so affecting to the society wala stereotype is children having contrasting opinions and difference in thoughts with their parents.
More than anything else, acceptance in this aspect seems like a mammoth task.
The same people who boast of eliminating stereotypes in society tend to give too much importance to societal standards and begin their own mini stereotypical environment at home.
I have only one thing to say: Never bend your knee for societal standards. Because your life is dependent on how you execute your actions and not how you play puppet to society’s auction.