Stereotypes

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” This is a phrase that is commonly known. The meaning can cover a variety of topics, but for the purpose of this essay I will assign the meaning to people. Therefore, the meaning is that people should avoid making assumptions about others when they have no suitable information with which to base an evaluation on. Things are not always what they seem. A stereotype is “a generalization, usually exaggerated or oversimplified and often offensive, that is used to describe or distinguish a group” (Cultural, 2010). While there is an array of hasty generalizations throughout groups in our society, this essay is focused on: tattooed people, senior citizens, politicians and feminists. I will explain what stereotypes have been assigned to these groups of people and some of the effects of the stereotypes.

People have tattooed their bodies for several thousand years. The significance changes not only with the times, but with different cultures as well. The meanings vary and the designs are “sometimes plain, sometimes elaborate, always personal” (Fletcher, 2009). Today’s stereotype of people with tattoos is a little looser than it once was. Not so long ago however, people who had visible tattoos were looped into one category or another associated with delinquent behavior. Although it is more common today to find that most people have one or two tattoos, they are usually simple and/or discreet. Having tattoos was once viewed mainly as an act of rebellion or toughness but has now also become a form of art. There are still stereotypes for tattoos, but they are not as strictly negative as they once were. Actually most people probably do not think twice when they see a flower tattoo on a woman’s ankle or an armband tattoo on a man’s arm. However, when someone has full, (or mostly full), body coverage there are still stereotypes that lead people to wonder if that person is associated with things such as crime or gangs.

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