What're your opinions on stereotypes?

[Katie Fire 158]

I get really annoyed at when people use stereotypes to try and win arguments (this happened to me yesterday). The person who I was talking to is a furry and hates bronies and he took it upon himself to describe them as sick old autistic men who ejaculate on children's toys. This really got me mad and told him that is just as accurate as the stereotype of furries... doing things... to animals.

 

Well, that's my rant over. Just wondering what you think of things like this and stereotypes in general. Do you have any situations where they have been used for the worse?

[Away 2,077]

I think everyone falls under a stereotype or label. It usually doesn't bother me though. I just try to be myself and like myself for who I am, regardless of what other people wanna call me.

[BlackWater627 700]

I think everyone falls under a stereotype or label. It usually doesn't bother me though. I just try to be myself and like myself for who I am, regardless of what other people wanna call me.

 

Right on. I probably have some stereotypical things about me, but I've never tried fitting into a role. Peer pressure is gladly something I've been good not to bend to. I understand why stereotypes exist though. It's possible to group people together based on shared characteristics. However, it's not okay to treat someone badly or unfairly based on this. 

[DragonFlyer 329]

I've never liked stereotypes but I think it's human nature to label so it really only bothers me when it's hurtful like that. Considering the horribly negative stereotypes the furry fandom has to deal with it surprises me that a furry would bash bronies with the same kind of hate.

[Away 2,077]

Right on. I probably have some stereotypical things about me, but I've never tried fitting into a role. Peer pressure is gladly something I've been good not to bend to. I understand why stereotypes exist though. It's possible to group people together based on shared characteristics. However, it's not okay to treat someone badly or unfairly based on this. 

Yep, right on. If you think about it, it's natural for people to generalize and put things into groups or categories. I think that's just human nature. But like you said, it's unfair to judge someone because of that.

[Kira Dogeikage 230]

People like to see patterns in things that simply aren't there. I think stereotypes are fine in jokes. It's when people are serious that I find it questionable.

[Justin_Case001 4,938]

Everything that's already been said.

 

Plus--it's seems like humans have a natural and unfortunate tendency to project their own imaginings on others, without knowing any facts.  People seem to want others to fit into their own mental boxes, so that they feel like they can understand them.  If we slap a label on others and assume things about them, it makes it easier to think we understand them.  The truth is much more complex, which means there are many variables and many things we don't know about others.  This may be subconsciously intimidating for many, so they just construct their box around others and say, "Yep, I know their type.  I get them."  This is just my theory.  Take Skoffee's brony-hating furry for instance--he probably wants us all to fit into his narrow, unfair vision, because then he doesn't have to learn anything or think.

[ThatOneComrade 1,092]

Stereotypes. Don't like 'em. They negatively effect people's lives. Some more severely than others, but it hurts all of us all the same. Judgement based on a handful of people shouldn't represent the collective.

[Aleh 481]

Psh. Its a natural thing for humans. And can be pretty damn funny in comedy.
So long as you don't take them seriously, and actually act upon the stereotypes (I.e: Assuming that somebody is a weird fuck without even talking to them or whatever) they aren't too bad. 

[Trixio 443]

Unfortunately people prefer to use stereotypes rather than strive to know a person for what he/she is.

And then .. yes, stereotypes can be funny in comedy, but I don't think that "humans" are smart enough to separate the joke from reality.I mean,at least,not all of them.

[mysticalnight 56]

i stay as far away from stereotyping as possible. i say let the person show me what kid of person they are, then decide for myself.

[Pastel 7,630]

Positive or negative, I don't like them. However I concede it's sometimes hard to avoid them.

[PastelBread 147]

Negative stereotypes make me mad. They shouldn't exist. I just don't think there should be stereotypes at all now that I think about it. We shouldn't put labels on people. :/

[Invincible 2,092]

My advice? Don't get stressed over it.

 

People like to assume and generalize, that's how stereotypes are made. It comes with being human, you mold things to your perspective, and attempt to understand them that way. You make stereotypes, i make stereotypes. You can always give people the benefit of the doubt, some people do and some people don't. And then you might surprise yourself.

[Princess Periwinkle 3,778]

Stereotypes exist for a reason. However, they don't always make for great points in an argument.

[SoGxTrixie 116]

If they aren't offensive I like them. They give us something to laugh at, Especially if they are cultural references usually with hobbies or food related. Though mostly none of the cultural ones don't apply to me Grape- Kool-aid is definitely my favorite flavor.

[Wicked Funky 2,956]

Some of the anime-fan and Brony stereotypes are really stupid

 

But since im swedish there arent really any offensive stereotypes about where i come from, So i wouldent know anything about that.

[gone~ 614]

I don't really care about stereotypes or people using them, but trying to argue using stereotypes is just stupid.

[Noei 719]

I love stereotypes as long as they are not supposed to be offensive and express hatred.  Most of them are supposed to be fun.

Edited May 5, 2015 by NoeI

[EpicEnergy 23,253]

I strongly dislike stereotypes because they are most often inaccurate.

[LassAmy 40]

I think it is perfectly fine if you fond yourself fitting into a stereotype as long as a genuine part of who you are. However, judging a group of people purely based off a stereotype is pretty bigoted and should be avoided.