Stereotyping, Prejudice and Discrimination - Essay Example

Module Module ID: Stereotyping, Prejudice and Discrimination The term stereotyping simply refers to the established image of an individual, group, community, nation or a thing the large majority of the members of society have developed in mind, and take that specific person, community or thing within the frame of that concept they have established the image of them. For instance, the Arabs are regarded to be prejudiced community that considers themselves superior to other ethno-racial groups of the world.

Similarly, the Asian women appear to be far more bashful and modest than their western and European counterparts; consequently, the men feel hesitation in developing extra-marital relations with them due to the stereotyped image about them. Moreover, the fundamentalist Jews, Christians, Hindus and Muslims are aptly regarded to be extremely narrow-minded and prejudiced ones, which declare the followers of all the faiths other than the one they follow, to be deviants and wrong-doers. Similarly, prejudice stands for the feelings of superiority about the race, ethnicity, region, religion, nationality, gender, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation etc one belongs to.

In other words, a prejudiced person regards one’s in-group to be superior to and better one than all other groups and communities co-existing in the social structure (Macionis 2008). On the other hand, discrimination is the narrow-sighted behavior the individuals observe against the members of out-groups by looking at them through the colored spectacles. For instance, the male members of society frequently apply discrimination towards the female stratum in domestic, professional, social and political fields, and do not let them work independently by allowing them equal rights of growth and progress (Alison 2005).

The same could also be viewed by examining the members of white Anglo Saxon Protestants (WASP) towards the black community, which was not allowed to enjoy the privileges attributed to the whites (Parks 1999). Similarly, the people containing straight sexual orientation abhor the gays and lesbians, by looking down upon them; and aptly refuse to offer these persons the job and employment opportunities at their work places and organizations because of their same-sex preferences and orientation as well.

Moreover, the elite stratum also adopts discrimination towards the poor and downtrodden people; it is predominantly the case with the developed nations, which have established various economic and political forums in order to sustain them status and position in the international arena. It has often been observed that prejudice is a universal phenomenon, where almost all individuals maintain the feelings of prejudice in favor of in-groups and against the out-groups, though the same specifically looks explicit in the multi-cultural groups and societies of the globe at large (Macionis 331).

Prejudice certainly influences and affects the social behavior in many ways. One of the most astounding effects of prejudiced behavior includes the projection and promotion of clashes between the individuals belonging to divergent communities of societies, which later take the form of severe conflicts and bloodshed even eventually. By looking into the history of the civilizations in general, it becomes evident that the prejudiced behavior has always brought death, destruction, turmoil and chaos in its wake for the people.

It is particularly the case with the United States, which had to make hard efforts for creating harmony and unity in the multicultural society. The American Civil War (1861-67) aptly provides the sound evidences in support of the outcome of prejudice witnessed by the indigenous Red Indians and white Americans, which cost hundreds of precious life along with heavy losses of material produced in the wake of the state of conflict between two racial groups. Similarly, the prejudice observed by fundamentalist politicians like the former US President George W.

Bush and his rival extremist terrorists including Ben Laden and others have turned the world into a virtual inferno in the real sense of the word. Another sorrowful impact of the prejudiced behavior includes this that man’s activities start being confined to one’s own group or community. As a result, he could become the prey to isolation from other members of society. For instance, if a prejudiced person, belonging to the African American racial group of society, prefers to recruit the black professionals only against various positions in his organization, he will certainly lose the chances of seeking the talents and proficiencies the individuals from other communities existing in the same social establishment.

The same is also the case with the people having prejudice against the women, Jews, Muslims and others. Since the modern era is the age of technological advancements and globalization, the individuals and nations witnessing prejudice and bias in their social behavior appear to be sure to lag far behind from the broad-minded, liberal and tolerant ones in the race of social, economic, cultural and technological achievements. On the other hand, the modern and liberal nations will make their sure headway on the way to progress, prosperity and prestige in all walks of life at large.

Works Cited Allison, Dorothy. Survival is Least of My Desires An Extract from "Skin: Talking about Sex, Class & Literature. Firebrand Books 2005 Macionis, John J. Sociology. Eleventh Edition Pearson Prentice Hall Inc 2008 Parks, Rosa. Rosa Parks-My Struggle Puffin Books 1999