What are stereotypes?

What are stereotypes? They are an unfavorable attitude and action toward people because they are members of a particular racial or ethnic group. Stereotyping is referred to as any theory or doctrine indicating that actions of an individual reflect his or her whole culture, sex, age, race, class, or nationality. It could also be considered as a tool which people use to label others. In practice, one looks at another and begins to make generalizations …

…also an entire group. Stereotypes seem harmless at first, but overtime they cause serious damage to our society. Because of them, we have become narrow minded and less receptive to people different from us. Stereotyping a person, or a group of people, is easier than it is to get to know them. Stereotypes are just another product of our society, which puts more value on what an individual possesses rather than who a person is.