Tag Archives: stereotypes

Where Do Kids Learn Stereotypes?

I was driving with my daughter Rebecca and one of her friends the other day and they were singing to the radio and a rap song came on and I changed the station. I just don’t like rap and I don’t think eight year olds need to listen to it. When I changed the station Rebecca’s friend asked why I changed the station and I explained that I just did not think they needed to listen to it and besides I don’t like rap so I did not want to listen to it. The reason I am mentioning this is … Continue reading →

Activities to Prevent Stereotypes in Young Children

My blog Combatting Stereotypes in Children: Part One discussed how children’s racial attitudes are largely formed by age nine. This blog largely focused on providing young children with an environment celebrating diversity via multiracial dolls, posters, food and clothing, music, etc. Combatting Stereotypes in Children: Part Two shared books and films that can help children in preschool, elementary school or secondary school appreciate the experiences of immigrants and people of different races. This blog will present some ideas for activities to help a group of young children—whether a preschool or kindergarten class, a homeschool group, a group of adoptive families, … Continue reading →

Gender Bias and Stereotyping Can Be Bad Business

It may seem like the business world is one of the last bastions for gender bias and stereotyping (after all, women still do not get paid the same amount as men overall when it comes to compensation)—but in our home businesses, we have both an opportunity and an obligation to watch out for those biases and stereotyping and we might actually find that it costs us customers and money if we persist in sharing biases and stereotypes. The thing is, most people will not tell us to our faces if they are offended by something sexist that we might accidentally … Continue reading →

The Step-Parent Fairy Tale

I would like to go on record as saying this is all really my opinion–I’m not trying to pick on step-parents or step-families or even movies and books–BUT, I’ve just about had it with movies and stories that depict a benevolent person coming in and “saving” the single parent family. Let me explain… There seems to be this myth perpetuated in our modern pop culture–it’s not the mean and nasty, evil step-parent myth, but the story line goes something like this: poor, struggling single parent and miserable children stumbling along, then handsome/beautiful suitor comes along who is eager to get … Continue reading →

Beyond Gender—The Realities of Single Parenting

One of the inevitable realities of a single parent household is that life gets lived beyond gender stereotypes. A single parent does it all—regardless of what is considered a “traditional” job assigned to a “traditional” gender role. We cook and clean and whip out our tool boxes to fix bicycles and make home repairs. Our children do get to grow up in a world that goes beyond gender stereotypes. I really do think this is a good thing. My kids have done the bulk of their growing up in circumstances that have taught them that, at least at mom’s house, … Continue reading →

Watch the Stereotypes in Business

Just because you are a small, one-person business doesn’t mean you can get away with “personnel issues” that large companies can’t. Without policy and checks and balances to serve as guidelines, you might actually be more prone to stereotypes and prejudice in your home business. So, what’s the problem with stereotyping? Well, you could easily offend or drive away customers and clients if you share broad assumptions about people based on race, age, gender, income level, etc. Not to mention, it does not represent you or your business well. Even the most innocent seeming comments can display stereotypes. Saying things … Continue reading →

Top Ten Male Stereotypes

What is a stereotype? It is generally an idea or a perception about a specific demographic that may have some truth to it but is not likely to be true of all persons in that demographic. Still, we all tend to hold common stereotypes of certain people in mind. What are some common stereotypes when it comes to men? Here are ten, in no particular order: 1. Men have a difficult time relinquishing the remote control. 2. Speaking of remote controls, many men would have one for everything if it were possible. 3. Men will watch a show they’ve already … Continue reading →

Dealing with Stereotypes about Homeschoolers

I just read a post (on a paid membership blog site) written by a mom who is currently homeschooling one of her children due to the child’s diabetes. She says she was treated rudely by homeschoolers because she was not dressed in a skirt and blouse like other “homeschooling freaks”. Her t-shirt and jeans made her stand out and the freaks looked at her as if she were the freak. I was shocked and appalled, as I had been reading this persons blog for a while and they had never said anything so careless before. The comments were hard to … Continue reading →

I Have a Dream

My daughter’s first grade is spreading the Martin Luther King Jr. Day theme out over the month by having one student per day share with the class their “dream for the future”. I spent some time on Sunday helping her organize her presentation. I have always thrilled to Reverend King’s voice and vision. But suddenly it seems a bit more personal than before. Whenever I was asked to “share a dream” for the future of our world, it was usually about somebody else. A good dream, yes, compassionately motivated and earnestly desired. I was willing to help contribute to it. … Continue reading →