The definition of a stereotype is any generalization about a certain person or group of persons. We tend to develop a stereotype when we are unable or unwilling to obtain all the information necessary to make a fair judgement.

In the absence of the “total picture”, a stereotype allows us to “fill-in-the-blanks”. By stereotyping, we infer that a person has a wide variety of characteristics that we assume.

Did you realize that you instantly judge those you first meet?

Starting at a very young age, we have been conditioned to believe that unless things look “right”– they are not good.

Some typical high school stereotypes students make are about goths that wear all black, punks who dye their hair different colors each day and wear chains, preppy girls being stuck up, jocks being only athletic not intelligent, or maybe a kid less fortunate that has ragged clothes being unfashionable and not trendy.

Stereotyping is not only hurtful, it is also just wrong. Constantly putting someone down based on preconceived perceptions will not encourage any success from them.

That goth who wears all black could be the friendliest kid in the school, or that guy who you perceive to be an unintelligent jock might be the smartest kid in the school. Never stereotype people based on their appearance.

Here’s a healthy solution to stop stereotyping– expand your thinking! Explore your potential and other’s potentials. If you must judge others, go out of your way to judge on positives and not negative influences.

It will soon become a habit to look for the positives so you do not stereotype people, and before you know it, opportunities will come forth! Always remember, never judge a book by its cover for the story inside could be an interesting one.