Whenever we don't have a good understanding of a subject, say, of people or countries, then we tend to make assumptions about them. Stereotype is nothing but those assumptions that have become common knowledge. Whenever you make judgments about people without knowing them, you are stereotyping them. Stereotyping makes people generalize things. More often, they are all false assumptions. Though there are both positive and negative stereotypes, a majority of them are offensive. People generally stereotype out of bias against a particular group of people or religion. Stereotyping becomes a way of conveying their dislike. Of course, stereotyping stems from a commonly held view of a particular group or race. This view may arise from an incident or false assumption, and then maybe used to color the entire community with the same brush. There are various types of stereotypes. However, the most common ones are racial stereotypes and gender stereotypes. Race, nationality, gender and sexual orientation are the main factors of stereotyping. Stereotyping must be avoided at all costs, as it leads to treating groups as a single entity. Given below are examples of stereotypes that people commonly use.

Examples Of Stereotypes Negative Stereotypes All blond women are dumb. All red heads are sluts. Christians are homophobic. They are blinded by God and will recruit you if you go near them. All politicians are philanders and think only of personal gain and benefit. If I wear Goth clothing I'm a part of a rock band, depressed, or do drugs. Girls are only concerned about physical appearance. Guys are messy and unclean. Men who spend too much time on the computer or read are geeks. Men who are not into sports are termed as gay. All librarians are women who are old, wear glasses, tie a high bun, and have a perpetual frown on their face. Girls are not good at sports. All teenagers are rebels. All children don't enjoy healthy food. Only anorexic women can become models. Women who smoke and drink do not have morals. Men who like pink are effeminate.

Positive Stereotypes All Blacks are great basketball players. All Asians are geniuses. All Indians are deeply spiritual. All Latinos dance well. All Whites are successful. Asians have high IQs. They are smarter than most in Math and Science. These people are more likely to succeed in school. African Americans can dance. All Canadians are exceptionally polite. French are romantic. All Asians know kung fu. All African American men are well endowed. Italians are good lovers