Stereotypes

2) What factors contribute to prejudice and how?
6) Is it possible to grow to adulthood without harboring at least some prejudice toward certain groups.

Stereotypes are all around us; while driving a car, taking a test, walking down the street, watching a movie. Many of us are so instilled by these lies that we do not realize that what we are saying is racist or sexist or just wrong. The reason we say these things is because of the outside influences that play a huge role in our lives. Family can be one these factors. If a father has had bad relations with a Hispanic man, and always speaks of the interaction with disdain, then it is natural that the son or daughter may harbor feelings against this specific race. The same is evident in friendship. If a friend constantly talks about how much they hate jocks and continually exposes their flaws, then the person will start believing it too. I believe that there is a way to avoid these stereotypes. It is not easy to stop judging people, but it is possible. I find that every time my parents judge a person walking down the street or get angry at an Asian driver or assume that all drivers of a BMW or a Mercedes is Armenian, I find myself getting more and more angry with them. Almost everything that my parents hate or are against, I love or am content with. This is because I do not want to be anything like them in the sense that  I do not want to be another judgmental Armenian who assumes that they are right about everything. It is wrong to think that Armenians are the most superior race. It is wrong to think that all Asian drivers are terrible. It is wrong to assume that all blond girls and sport playing guys are not intelligent. Therefore it is wrong to judge and is wrong to believe in stereotypes.