Resisting Stereotypes

Think of the last movie you saw. How many stereotypes were reproduced in that movie? Earlier this year, the debate over stereotypes in Star Wars: Episode I prompted Kansas student Zachary Maier to reflect on media stereotypes in general. Zach wrote the following article as part of a media literacy class sponsored by the Duke Talent Identification Program.

Stereotypes in the Media by Zachary Maier

Star Wars--a stereotyped movie? Many people think so. Some think that the funny amphibious race called Gungans, which includes the infamous Jar Jar Binks, are a stereotype of small minorities. While some people are just anti Jar Jar Binks, many people oppose racial, age, gender, and other stereotypes in general.

Age stereotypes, more commonly called the old person stereotypes, are very frequent in society. In our mind's eye, old people are exactly how much we make them worth--and we usually don't make them worth much. According to a market consultant named Eric Miller, this is the "Grandpa Simpson" syndrome. All the "Grandpa Simpson" syndrome means is that most people see senior citizens and grandparents stereotypically: old, wrinkly, senile, incontinent, and boring. But in fact, older Americans are smart, aware, experienced, and have interesting things to say. But most are still wrinkly.

Another major stereotype that the media plays a big role in is the stereotyped image of the female. The stereotype for women has remained basically the same through the past with only a few changes as technology advanced. To be and stay skinny, to look good, to have long hair, to be sentimental, not to participate in athletic or "male" events, and to do domestic labor like laundry and cooking are the characteristics of the stereotyped female. The actual image part of the female stereotype is supported in the media like advertisements and in magazines like in Mademoiselle, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan. Few other main sources of media contradict this stereotype, whether the stereotypical image or behavior. Magazines like the above push women to meet beauty standards and lose weight, sometimes causing anorexia or bulimia. Women are also stereotypically not invited to participate in athletic events. Even without much media support, women are proving themselves in sports and turning away from the stereotypical image.

Boys, as well, are pushed by the media to meet a stereotype. The media says that stereotypical boys are strong, handsome, and athletic, standards which many boys try to achieve but can't. This media portrayal of the perfect boy can lead to drugs, alcohol, steroids, and even violence (like at Columbine High School) if boys don't feel they meet the media's stereotypical image.

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