Risky Business: Stereotype Rough Draft Essay

Nerds, jokes, goth, and preppy are just a few of the stereotypes we hear in high school almost every single day.  Stereotype a noun, defined as a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. Stereotypes are assumption that people make based on what they see and make people fear social interaction at high school. Social categorization, discrimination have the same meaning as stereotypes. Following stereotypes do not lead to success by limiting you to associate with other stereotypes, making you feel obligated to act a certain way, and change your priorities in life.

Stereotypes often set a role for us, telling us how to act. With a role being set for us, us teens don’t have to question the social rules of high school. All we have to do is follow them, which is easy enough. With a role or stereotype placed upon us we don’t have to deal with social awkwardness. Although we might think that having your high school life all straighten out is a good thing, well it’s not. The roots from T.V, magazines, books, etc. generalize what type of stereotype fits you best. Often our society innocently creates and perpetuates different stereotypes in a different light. By seeing things one way we forget that having a role isn't the best option. Being yourself and creating your own role is much better.

Being in high school your priorities need to be set straight, but with stereotypes in the way we feel the need to set them aside. Part taking in a stereotype means that your priorities are being a set aside, but it’s for the better. You will soon fix your priorities to set them with the social group that you hang out with. Feeling the need to be in a stereotype just to fit in with the crowd is tough, but we do it anyway. Stereotypes over take our sense of priorities, messing with our heads, making us think it’s a good thing when it’s really not. It makes us ignore the differences between each individual, which set-asides our uniqueness. When joining a stereotype you feel obligated to act a certain way. We feel that changing us is for the better. When know so many people just by acting like them. Feeling the need to change you from the inside out. Now you have become a person that everyone likes, that’s every person dream. Acting a certain way helps you get through life, the shorter way. When being someone that is completely not you, you feel uncomfortable. Stereotypes discriminate people, they make people feel like they don't belong.

 Entering the high school world, the first thing you want to do is to make friends. Being in a stereotype makes that ten times easier. With a group of people already form you would fit right in. Having no trouble being alone when it comes to lunch. Stereotypes make people uncomfortable when being friendly. In the real world you have to communicate with people on a personal level. Limiting yourself to associate with certain stereotypes will allow you to make close friends. Having only certain people that talk to you to really understand them. When you limit yourself you don't get to experience the interaction of other people surrounding you. Stereotypes enable us to respond rapidly to situations.

Stereotypes contradict the way the human mind should think. Making people feel isolated about their actions. Prejudging them based on how they look and act. A real friend will get to know you, be by your side. A friend will tell you to do things for them but won’t do the same for you. Having a stereotype placed on you makes us feel that we belong in society and we are not outcast. Stereotypes do not lead to success because they change who you are really suppose to be in life. For much of history, our society portrays African-Americans as being unintelligent, lazy, or violence-prone. As a result of these stereotyped pictures of African-Americans we are pre judging them before even meeting them. What society doesn’t see are the all the African-American people that did good for their community, state, and country. But us Americans fail to put that stereotype aside. Stereotypes don’t lead to success because it doesn’t let us see truly who people are.