Welham Girls' School

Stereotypes are often described as a certain way in which individuals see things in a particular light. Mostly, we come across stereotypes where the negative regard for the situation is much higher than the positive one. Thus, if we are associated with a particular stereotype, we instantly try to change our ways. A classic example of a stereotype is when mothers buy a blue t-shirt for their sons and a pink one for their daughters. 

 

Well, that sounds absurd, right? Most of us don’t even like the colors blue or pink. So the real question stands, why are we limiting ourselves to ridiculous time-consuming choices between something so insignificant as choosing between two colors which would have absolutely no consequence in our lives? 

 

The fact of the matter is, in simple words- don’t do it. You ask why? I am going to answer that one for you. If you have not already noticed how mindless that sounds, I will give provide you with various other arguments. 

 

Stereotypes, in every social circle, are destroying us. Let’s not even get started with the ‘box’ we are constantly trying to limit others by putting labels on that one girl who has red hair in your class or that one individual who likes to braid her hair in a certain way. Not only is this cycle of toxicity quite popular but we urge this behavior on and are a part of it. I can bet my grandmother’s milkshakes when I say, we have ridiculed that one person who looked like “Barbie” or “Ken.” Maybe we have taken it as far as to call them “Nerds.” And believe it or not, that is not okay even if they are your friends and they wouldn’t mind it. Maybe they do. 

 

Speaking on a broader perspective, globally we all have seen how places like Africa and America had protested for the sole objective that #BlackLivesMatter. But what was the cause of having it? It was the stereotype that created the image that white people are better than black ones. It is up to us to bring a change in all the stereotypes related to gender, caste, and menstruation. 

 

These stereotypes must stop with us. We have to change. Now. We have to try our best to not pass these to the coming generations. Each one of us has the power to be who we want to be and “boxes” and stereotypes should not be the things limiting us or stopping us. I would like to end with a quote by Albus Dumbledore, “It matters not what someone is born with but what they grow to be!”