How do stereotypes affect student's lives?
Yasmin Lara
Tom Tom staff
Stereotypes make up more of a person’s life than they realize. Day by day high school students live in the shadow of their stereotype. People walk through busy hallways all day long without even stopping to think about how one can impact another so much. “I think stereotypes can affect others lives because they impact a person to want to look different or act different. Stereotypes make people to be anything other than themselves which can cause depression if not handled in the correct way.” said Culloton. Many think that one person can’t make a difference, but on the contrary just one person can impact more than one hundred people combined. Stereotypes don’t always influence a person’s life much, but when they do it can make a big difference in the character of a person. When a person get classified with a specific stereotype that makes them think that is who they are, and can’t be anything else. For example a person who is told that they are a prep think that they always have to look and feel their best. They have to buy the most expensive clothing and always have to have outstanding grades.
Different stereotypes are known to only interact with each other. Like the most popular girl in school or the “princess” is known for dating the quarterback of the football team the “jock”. People of different stereotypes don’t really mix with the rest, such as the jocks don’t talk to the nerds. Many times people are left out from many activities because they are simply not accepted. Many friend groups form from stereotypes. There are little groups of kids that don’t mean to classify but it just happens naturally. There is the group of friends with all the popular people, the group with all the nerds, one with technology geeks, the burnouts, and of course in Antioch, the rednecks. Stereotypes don’t only affect the friend groups and who a person sits with at lunch it also affects how a person performs at school. According to a study at Iowa University, those who are known as “nerds” are proven to do perform better in school than the average student.
Stereotypes effect the life if a student more than the way they interact with one another. It also effects their thinking one way or another. If a person is constantly being shamed upon because they work hard in school, it will get to them and change their way of thinking. People are willing to change in order to be accepted. Stereotypes are not only the things that people are characterized at school by like a jock, nerd, ext It is also a mixture of your race, gender, and even age.
People will stereotype a person by the smallest of details. Gender was and will continue to make an impact in our society. Whether you're a male of a female, our society always has a comment to say about it. For example females are stereotyped as the weak ones, the lesser person, and the one who stays home to take care of the children. Males are looked upon as the strong ones who make all of the money and they are the bigger person. This day in age gender dos not seem to be as big of a problem as it used to be. Males and Females seem to be getting on the same level. Women are not making as much money or in some cases females receive a bigger income than men. So does this mean stereotypes are being eliminated or changed? Well it might seem like it but it isn't always the case. Even though there is less of a gender separation, there is still distinctions everywhere someone looks.
Although stereotypes seem like a negative thing, that isn't always the case. Stereotypes can help people in a social aspect. Students can make friends with other students with their similar stereotype because they might have somethings in common. Students are better able to form friend groups because they bond over the similar interests. If a student plays many sports they are most likely on the same sports teams. If a person is a prep they can most likely bond at clubs, talking about school and clothes.
Different stereotypes are known to only interact with each other. Like the most popular girl in school or the “princess” is known for dating the quarterback of the football team the “jock”. People of different stereotypes don’t really mix with the rest, such as the jocks don’t talk to the nerds. Many times people are left out from many activities because they are simply not accepted. Many friend groups form from stereotypes. There are little groups of kids that don’t mean to classify but it just happens naturally. There is the group of friends with all the popular people, the group with all the nerds, one with technology geeks, the burnouts, and of course in Antioch, the rednecks. Stereotypes don’t only affect the friend groups and who a person sits with at lunch it also affects how a person performs at school. According to a study at Iowa University, those who are known as “nerds” are proven to do perform better in school than the average student.
Stereotypes effect the life if a student more than the way they interact with one another. It also effects their thinking one way or another. If a person is constantly being shamed upon because they work hard in school, it will get to them and change their way of thinking. People are willing to change in order to be accepted. Stereotypes are not only the things that people are characterized at school by like a jock, nerd, ext It is also a mixture of your race, gender, and even age.
People will stereotype a person by the smallest of details. Gender was and will continue to make an impact in our society. Whether you're a male of a female, our society always has a comment to say about it. For example females are stereotyped as the weak ones, the lesser person, and the one who stays home to take care of the children. Males are looked upon as the strong ones who make all of the money and they are the bigger person. This day in age gender dos not seem to be as big of a problem as it used to be. Males and Females seem to be getting on the same level. Women are not making as much money or in some cases females receive a bigger income than men. So does this mean stereotypes are being eliminated or changed? Well it might seem like it but it isn't always the case. Even though there is less of a gender separation, there is still distinctions everywhere someone looks.
Although stereotypes seem like a negative thing, that isn't always the case. Stereotypes can help people in a social aspect. Students can make friends with other students with their similar stereotype because they might have somethings in common. Students are better able to form friend groups because they bond over the similar interests. If a student plays many sports they are most likely on the same sports teams. If a person is a prep they can most likely bond at clubs, talking about school and clothes.
Why do stereotypes form?
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Types Of Stereotypes At ACHS
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In High Schools students are put into certain stereotypes based on how they look, act, and live their lives, whether they think they belong to that “group” or not. Why are these certain stereotypes created though? Who decided that if someone does this or that, they are immediately stereotyped into a “group”? “I feel different stereotypes stereotype themselves to fit in within groups so they don't feel left out.” said freshman Geovani Culloton.
One thought or idea on why stereotypes are formed is because it’s easier for people to categorize others or even themselves. It’s simple to just say this person is a jock, a geek, a prep. etc. and allows someone to easily refer to you as these such stereotypes. If someone establishes certain traits about someone and others are like them, it’s more simplistic to categorize them into the same group no matter how different they may really be. It helps people keep others separate from each other. It also gives people a name. Being in a certain group provides a sense of belonging to that individual. People feel like they belong more to these groups because they share the same interests and ideas. Stereotypes can help find who they really are based on their lifestyles. People often mistake others to be part of a stereotype they really don't belong to just because of the people they hang out with. Sophomore Francisco Alfaro said, "I'm considered one of the "artist" in the school due to my artistic abilities. But I hang with the "stoners" and "druggies". But I think as long as you know who you are you shouldn't care what other people say or stereotype who you are." Stereotypes can be good and bad but overall provide a simplistic way to categorize people and find out who you really are. Stereotypes could also have originated from jealousy or hatred toward a certain group. If someone sees someone they dislike or are jealous of, they automatically assume everyone else that hangs out and does similar things are exactly the same. They then categorize them into a group. Now for everyone who acts like them are considered this certain stereotype. Sophomore Emma Miller said, "I felt like stereotypes were created by people who were jealous about that group in the first place." Jealousy is a strong feeling and can cause others to judge certain people and make a name for those who are not like them. Some people just don't get along with each other and to keep them from interfering they keep themselves separate. Stereotypes have their differences and similarities and throughout the years have changed quite a bit. Stereotypes are combining and getting along better today in a high school atmosphere. Senior Jasmine Delara said, "The world is open to any religion or how you express yourself and on the outside we agree with that. Let people do what they what to be happy, but on the inside someones thoughts could be more judgmental." Today these stereotypes do still have their differences and will continue to have them in the future, but are growing closer together. Most people who are friends have at least one thing in common, if not many. These stereotypes could've started with groups of friends making a name for themselves so people know who they are. Of course some stereotypes would not have come from all, for example, burnouts would not name put a label on themselves as burnouts. Delara said, "Stereotypes were created because people feel like they need to have somewhere they belong, a place where they can openly be themselves and share common interests with those around them." Those alike make their own groups so they have a better sense of belonging. They then separate themselves from other groups by putting a name to their group. Whether we know the exact reason as to why stereotypes were created or not, we do know they do still exist in our society today. Although they may not be as prominent as they used to be, you'll find a jock or a geek around every school. Stereotypes have made an easy way for people to connect and communicate with others. |
Stereotypes don’t only appear in movies, they can be seen throughout everyday life. Some people even believe that they are seen in the halls of Antioch Community High School. Stereotypes are bound to form in a high school setting. Some people bond with some and have conflicts with others. This causes groups to cluster together and separate as well. Sophomore Rachel Misiek said, "There are many more groups, yet why do we use them? For personal gain. Because some kids aren't always happy, aren't confident, aren't proud because some kids don't feel special outside of school. Yet, everyone is. Antioch just hasn't understood that kids aren't made to be the same. Not everyone will be good at sports, or know where to get drugs, or that are smart enough that they don't need help on their homework. Kids at Antioch don't understand that by saying one word hurts many. The first thing your mind does is categorize the people around you. You look at people differently, you judge them by looks, and yet you hardly know them."
When a student feels as if society has categorized him or her into a specific group or clique, it is natural for them to feel like they need to meet up to the expectations of their label. For example, a star football player would feel the urge to do the best and be the best he can out on the field. If he doesn't meet these expectations, he could result to steroids or other drugs. A preppy girl on the other hand may think that she needs to look perfect for every day of school and around boys. This can make girls in high school feel very insecure about themselves and can become extremely self-conscious with their bodies and clothes. |
How do stereotypes interact?
Jessica Guzman
Tom Tom Staff
Interacting stereotypes can be a positive or negative thing. Some stereotypes get along well and relate to each other, like nerds and geeks. Or, it can be a total wreck and the inferior group can encounter bullying or even physical harassment. For stereotypes that get along, they can seek comfort and support from each other and have a bigger group of friends even if they are not the same stereotype. For example, a person defined as a band geek may get along with thespian stereotypes because of the common performing arts background. Groups can be the same type of people but have aspects that make stereotypes meshing together better in some cases.
Stereotypes find friends in other stereotypes because of similar judgement or similar problems that make stereotypes not so strong in high school for certain people. You may become a person that isn’t a specific stereotype because you may interact from different groups. Being an all around person who looks past the labels made in high school is beneficial for many. For others interacting with stereotypes, it can create major issues in a school setting where they are forced to interact with each other.
With stereotypes that clash, major issues can surface. A situation as simple as a geek correcting a nerd in class can make someone say a hurtful comment. These stereotypes can impact their lives in a negative way when comments are taken wrong, or a certain stereotype may think they are above them on the social ladder. Even stereotypes on opposite ends of the spectrum use their insecurities or gossip used against them to make themselves seem superior to the other. This can be caused by jealousy or just traditional stereotype rivalry when it comes to the cool kids and the non-cool kids of high school.
Antioch Community High School music teacher, Jonathan Untch, said jealousy can cause many conflicts, especially in the arts. Someone who might perform or sing better than another can cause friction is friendships. Or in a different situation, when a person can be jealous of a performer because a person in the arts can get on stage and do what they can't. These certain situations can cause problems in thespian/art stereotypes, or someone from the outside looking in wishing they could be a part if that stereotype but are afraid they might not fit in.
Some wise words from ACHS performing arts teachers, Jonathan Untch and Try Hickey said, "Whatever you like to do, go do it, and do it well." When stereotypes interact it can be comforting or a rude confrontation with another person. But whatever you choose to do in life, do it with everything you have in you because in the end, stereotypes that you are defined as won't matter once you get older. People grow up and looked past what the person they used to be and become a whole new person as they get older. There is more to life than the stereotype you are defined as or the stereotype you used to be.
Stereotypes find friends in other stereotypes because of similar judgement or similar problems that make stereotypes not so strong in high school for certain people. You may become a person that isn’t a specific stereotype because you may interact from different groups. Being an all around person who looks past the labels made in high school is beneficial for many. For others interacting with stereotypes, it can create major issues in a school setting where they are forced to interact with each other.
With stereotypes that clash, major issues can surface. A situation as simple as a geek correcting a nerd in class can make someone say a hurtful comment. These stereotypes can impact their lives in a negative way when comments are taken wrong, or a certain stereotype may think they are above them on the social ladder. Even stereotypes on opposite ends of the spectrum use their insecurities or gossip used against them to make themselves seem superior to the other. This can be caused by jealousy or just traditional stereotype rivalry when it comes to the cool kids and the non-cool kids of high school.
Antioch Community High School music teacher, Jonathan Untch, said jealousy can cause many conflicts, especially in the arts. Someone who might perform or sing better than another can cause friction is friendships. Or in a different situation, when a person can be jealous of a performer because a person in the arts can get on stage and do what they can't. These certain situations can cause problems in thespian/art stereotypes, or someone from the outside looking in wishing they could be a part if that stereotype but are afraid they might not fit in.
Some wise words from ACHS performing arts teachers, Jonathan Untch and Try Hickey said, "Whatever you like to do, go do it, and do it well." When stereotypes interact it can be comforting or a rude confrontation with another person. But whatever you choose to do in life, do it with everything you have in you because in the end, stereotypes that you are defined as won't matter once you get older. People grow up and looked past what the person they used to be and become a whole new person as they get older. There is more to life than the stereotype you are defined as or the stereotype you used to be.