Stereotype Meaning
Stereotype Definition & Usage
A widely held but oversimplified and fixed image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
Examples
- "The stereotype of the 'lazy artist' doesn't hold true for many creative professionals."
- "She was tired of being reduced to a stereotype of a 'shy librarian.'"
- "The stereotype of all teenagers being rebellious is inaccurate and unfair."
- "Movies often reinforce the stereotype that all villains are menacing and sinister."
- "People of certain professions, like doctors or lawyers, are often stereotyped as being wealthy and successful."
To categorize someone or something based on a stereotype, often unfairly or inaccurately.
Examples
- "It's wrong to stereotype people based on their appearance or background."
- "The media often stereotypes ethnic minorities, portraying them in a limited and negative light."
- "It's important not to stereotype someone just because they come from a particular neighborhood."
- "Don't stereotype the elderly as being out of touch with modern technology."
- "He felt frustrated that society continued to stereotype young people as lazy or entitled."
Cultural Context
The word 'stereotype' originates from the printing industry, where a 'stereotype' referred to a solid, standardized copy of a printing plate. Over time, it evolved to describe the fixed, unchanging nature of ideas about people or things. In modern culture, stereotypes are often tied to social prejudice and can reinforce biases about race, gender, age, or other identity markers.
Breaking the Mold
Story
Breaking the Mold
Ellie sat nervously at the table, her fingers tapping lightly on her coffee cup. As the new intern at a prestigious advertising agency, she knew the job would come with challenges, but she hadn't expected to face a stereotypical battle on day one. Her boss, Peter, was quick to pigeonhole her as the 'young, inexperienced' one in the team, dismissing her ideas as 'too ambitious' for someone so new. Ellie was used to people underestimating her, having always been the 'quiet one' in high school. But she wasn’t about to let a stereotype dictate her future. ‘You can't just stereotype people like that,’ Ellie thought, ‘It’s not fair to label someone without knowing their capabilities.’ On her first project, Ellie noticed the marketing team's approach. They were crafting an ad targeting a younger audience but used the same tired stereotypes: all millennials were portrayed as lazy, glued to their phones, and obsessed with coffee. It irritated her. ‘This isn’t what my generation is about,’ she thought. In fact, her friends were all entrepreneurial, tech-savvy, and extremely hard-working. Why did the ad campaign have to fall back on the same worn-out cliché? Ellie decided to take action. She worked late into the night, crafting an alternative campaign that highlighted the diversity within her generation: showing a range of personalities, hobbies, and passions. She presented it to the team the next morning, nervously awaiting their reaction. When Peter saw her idea, his eyes widened. ‘This... this is fresh,’ he said, raising an eyebrow. ‘But how did you manage to break through the stereotype like that?’ Ellie smiled, ‘Sometimes you need to step away from the conventional to see the bigger picture.’ The new campaign was a hit, and Ellie had earned her place, not just as the 'young intern,' but as someone who could challenge stereotypes and offer fresh perspectives.
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