<p>Stereotypes exist for a reason -- there is a truth behind them. They may be largely exaggerated and misleading, but normally it is beneficial to know what stereotypes exist and, more importantly, why. </p>
<p>I am speaking as a high school senior about common conceptions and stereotypes at college, especially with regards to the "type" or personality of people that study specific fields, be them law, medicine, business, etc.</p>
<p>From your experiences, what "type" of people tend to go into certain fields? I've often heard that engineers are "their own breed." I believe that knowing some of these stereotypes would be beneificial in helping me to decide some classes that I might want to explore. </p>
<p>If anyone has anything to offer, such as "shy bookworms do this, workaholics do this, the party'ers do this, etc.," it would be appreciated :). Or anything related to this. I am assuming a connection between personality and likely career here.</p>
<p>I'm an engineering student. I guess "being our own breed" to me means that we are proud of being able to do the hard work that is required in engineering. Math and science is hard for a lot of people, to the point that they simply can comprehend it. Example: my mom had a very hard time with basic algebra in high school. But I read math like I read English.</p>
<p>The typical engineering student: I don't know if there is one. I've met students who kept to themselves and did most of their work on their own. I've met engineering students who were involved in sports and other activities in addition to being good students. And I've met engineering students who spend as little time as possible on their work so they can party and waste time.</p>
<p>I have the impression that math students are better at understanding new concepts but are not very good at momorization like med/bio/history students. Im more like the math student :).</p>
<p>Stereotypes are ok as long as you don't act on them. That is when it becomes ignorant and prejudice. I have fallen victim to stereotyping and being stereotyped. Our school has a high percentage of Asians and one time we got a test back and this one girl had the same grade as me as was freaking out. I hit the average as was just fine with it. When I told her she did well she told me I didn't understand: her "parents are Asian!" I just said "Oh yeah well my parents are white! and crazy!!" It caused a laugh and just showed everyone that maybe stereotyping is just a little off. Although there are times when I get quizzes back and an Asian next to me didn't do as well and I say to myself 'now why didn't they know that? I thought . . .' and then I trail ff b/c I know how stupid that is.</p>
<p>I actually had a presentation on stereotyping b/c my job as an Orientation Student Leader needs us to not stereotype and be open to all different kinds of people. It just made me more aware of stereotypes that are thought. And we had an exercise where people had "All women are . . ." and they had to match it up with ". . . bad drivers." And there was one "All Puerto Ricans are . . ." and without even hearing the response I just thought 'loud' b/c that is what is heard. And when someone said they were from Utah I thought 'Mormons'. But I didn't ask her if she was a Mormon that is when stereotypes become bad. So that's all I have to say on that.</p>
<p>Sure, stereotypes do have a truth behind them, but it must be determined to what extent that sterotype applies to a certain population. Sometimes, the a few habits of a small percentage of the population gets publicizied, and suddenly, it applies to every single individual. </p>
<p>As an Chinese-American, it ticks me off that automatically people wonder why the Asian student got a lower score than the others; they assume automatically that Asians are always smart and completely infallible. When a stereotype is pursued persistently, it becomes terribly annoying to those in the population. And a stereotype is just that: a generalization of a population. In a society that emphasizes individuality, a stereotype inhibits the growth of society socially and intellectually.</p>
<p>Haha yeah thats so true man. You know its bad when you associate people on a particular trait. A lot of stereotypes may be true but they don't define the whole person if they fall into it (although loud people do get on my nerves sometimes). </p>
<p>Hell man I'm a mexican. You don't see me talking like a moron saying "esse" or being a little thug spending my entire check from (insert minimum wage job) to buy baggy clothes and jewelery or to put my last name in old english on the back of my ****ty car.</p>
<p>To me stuff like that is kinda funny to think of about some people. One of my friends is asian, he knows kung fu, studies a lot, and is pressured by his family to succeed and become a doctor. :)</p>
<p>When did this discussion turn into race stereotypes? >.<</p>
<p>I'm Colombian. The ridiculous comments that I have heard especially growing up in an all white community range from the hilarious to the downright rude. Also even though there are over 40 Spanish speaking countries they are all Mexican to most white people. I think the most offensive comment I got was in track when we were doing an activity that had us leading lines of people running. Apparently I was running to fast and this jerk behind me was like, "Hey slow down buddy we aren't running for the border here!" It was offensive but since I had gotten so much crap by high school that it didn't even bother me. So people will always be ignorant but if you don't let it bother you it's better.</p>
<p>Although I do hate it when people fill in their own stereotypes like my Hispanic friends talking about how long before they became legalized, swearing in Spanish (when there is no need), and doing other stereotypical stuff (not cultural stuff like salsa that is just culture and that's fine). It is just like stop you're setting back the race haha. I don't really mind too much tho.</p>
<p>Haha, this old lady once asked me "What is the difference between mexicans and hispanics?" in my English II class (yes she was actually serious). That's the first time I was asked that without trying to insult me.</p>
<p>I'm kinda dissapointed that such stereotypes are actually kind of true in some people specially my dads side of the family. I wouldn't be insulted if people called most of them dirty stupid wetbacks. They drink, gamble like hell, neglect their family, they have no more ambition other than "getting by", and slaughter a good language with stupid (most of teh time sexual)double meaning jokes. Dammit why did I have to be born in two families that are polar opposites!</p>
<p>My moms side of the family (and most of the town) actually call them a family of morons(pendejos).</p>
<p>I really hate that, when Asian people think that every other person thinks that Asians are the smartest and have to be the best....NOW that is really annoying. No offense to the Asian people, but you'll need to get off your high horses if you think this way. Who cares what people think?</p>
<p>It is not the situation that "Asian people think that every other person thinks that Asians are the smartest and have to be the best" because there is no "think"; it is evident when remarks are immediately made; it is not assumed, but it made rather clear when snide comments are made. </p>
<p>Why on earth do you think that Asians are called "model minorities"? Because of pure assumption? Certainly, not. As I said before, stereotypes do have a truth behind them, but it must be determined to what extent that sterotype applies to a certain population.</p>
<p>It would be practical to say "who cares what people think?" but when it results in a bias that discriminates, then I care what people think.</p>
<p>Sure, there are plenty of high achieving Asians, but being a minority, I guess I understand more when you're different than what everyone expects you to be. I never think, wow this person is Asian, why did they get a B in geometry, because I hate it when people are surprised that I get good grades based only on the fact that I'm black</p>
<p>The term "model minority" was coined in the 1960's in a US News and World Report article. It was not coined by Asians to portray themselves as intelligent or industrious or successful. It was coined by conservative whites as a way of belittling other minorities (namely Hispanics and African Americans). They point to the success of Asians in America and ask why these other groups demand welfare and affirmative action. The term is deprecating to both sides (Asians and African Americans alike).</p>
<p>So, that term resulted for Caucasian stereotypes that Asians in America are successful, right norcalguy? (To keep the theme here).</p>
<p>My point is: that stereotypes can be detrimental in society's growth, socially and intellectually, because that these preconceived notions hinder any new characteristics and impressions from being made; and though stereotypes do exist, there is a need to analyze the individual, not generalize them by labels.</p>
<p>we're all people. There is no one on this planet, past, present, future, who is EXACTLY like you (not physicaly obviously). Stereotypes might come from truths, but they're exaggerated truths at best. Just because I'm black doesn't mean I can dance (I can't), or that I like rap music (I don't) or that I'm okay with mediocricity (I'm not). Stereotypes in themselves are not bad, but they always develop into negatives.</p>
<p>The stereotype was created not so much as to extol the virtues of the Asian American community as it was to put down other minorities. You will notice that "model minority" implies that Asian Americans are models for other minorities. At best, they can hope to be just the best out of the minorities (still below the Caucasians). That's why the stereotype is not called the "model American" but rather the "model minority."</p>
<p>Certainly the term "model minority" was not a compliment nor was it to "extol the virtues of the Asian American community." </p>
<p>The term, however, suggests that Asian Americans are "uniformly educated, acculturated, and financially successful."</p>
<p>Let's use the stereotype "model minority" as a case study of how false it is.</p>
<p>17% of Asian American boys in grades 5-12 reported physical abuse (Commonwealth Fund, 1998)</p>
<p>30% of Asian American girls in grades 5-12 reported depressive symptoms (Commonwealth Fund, 1998)</p>
<p>The illiteracy rate of Asian American is 5.3 times higher than non-Hispanic whites (U.S. Census, Social and Economic Characteristics)</p>
<p>Asian American women have the highest suicide mortality rate among all women between ages 15-24 years of age (Center of Disease Control and Prevention)</p>
<p>14% of Asian Americans live below the poverty line, compared to 13% of the U.S. Population (1997)</p>
<p>In New York City:</p>
<p>52% of Asian American births in 1999 were paid by Medicaid (NYC Department of Heal Summary of Vital Statistics)</p>
<p>24% of Asian Americans over 25 do not have a high school degree (U.S. Bureau)</p>
<p>Those are some stats. So, though the terms connotes certain meanings, the stats, though outdated, prove that myths/stereotypes are just that: myths and stereotypes.</p>