What Is a Stereotype?

Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation

You know how some people think all cats are mean and all dogs are friendly? But that's not true, right? Some cats are super cuddly and some dogs can be grumpy. When you say everyone in a group is the same, that's kind of what a stereotype is.

A stereotype is when someone thinks something about a whole bunch of people without even knowing them. Like if someone says 'boys don't like to draw' — that's a stereotype! Lots of boys love drawing. Or if someone says 'girls can't run fast' — that's not true either!

Stereotypes aren't fair because they squish everyone into the same box. But people aren't all the same! You're different from your friends, and that's what makes you special. Imagine if someone said you couldn't do something you love, just because of a silly idea about kids who look like you.

The best thing to do when you hear a stereotype is to think, 'Is that really true about EVERYONE?' The answer is almost always no. Every person gets to be their own person and like their own things.

Ages 6-8 More Detail

A stereotype is when people think that everyone in a certain group is the same. For example, 'all old people are grumpy' is a stereotype. So is 'all kids are loud.' These are ideas that people repeat over and over, even though they're not true for everyone — or even most people — in that group.

Stereotypes can be about all sorts of things: what boys or girls are supposed to like, what people from different countries are like, or what people of different races are good at. They're like shortcuts that people use instead of actually getting to know someone.

The problem with stereotypes is that they box people in. If someone believes the stereotype that 'girls aren't good at math,' they might not encourage a girl who actually loves math. Or if a boy loves dancing, but there's a stereotype that 'boys don't dance,' he might feel embarrassed to do what he enjoys.

Stereotypes are all around us — in movies, TV shows, jokes, and things people say. Sometimes they might seem harmless, but they can really hurt. Imagine someone deciding what you're like before they even meet you. That doesn't feel good.

You can fight stereotypes by thinking for yourself. When you hear someone say 'all _____ are _____,' ask yourself if that's really true. Get to know people as individuals. You'll find that people are way more interesting and different than any stereotype could ever describe.

Ages 9-12 Full Explanation

A stereotype is an oversimplified belief about an entire group of people — the idea that everyone who shares one thing in common (like their race, gender, age, or nationality) must all think, act, or be the same way. 'Asians are good at math,' 'boys don't cry,' and 'teenagers are lazy' are all examples of stereotypes. Even ones that sound positive, like 'Asians are good at math,' are harmful because they erase people's individuality.

Stereotypes spread because the human brain likes shortcuts. Instead of taking the time to learn about each person you meet, it's easier to put them in a category. But those categories are almost never accurate. Think about your own friend group — you probably all share something in common, but you're all different in a hundred ways. That's true for every group of people.

One of the biggest problems with stereotypes is something called a self-fulfilling prophecy. If teachers expect certain kids to do poorly in school based on a stereotype, they might not push those kids as hard. The kids pick up on that and might actually perform worse — not because of who they are, but because of how they were treated. The stereotype created the very problem it predicted.

Media plays a huge role in spreading stereotypes. When movies and TV shows keep showing the same types of characters — the nerdy kid with glasses, the mean popular girl, the strict Asian parent — audiences start thinking those images are real. But real people are far more complex than any character on screen.

Fighting stereotypes starts with catching yourself in the act. The next time you find yourself assuming something about someone you don't know, pause and ask, 'Do I actually know this, or am I just guessing based on a group they belong to?' That moment of stopping to think is powerful.

You can also push back when you hear stereotypes from other people. If a friend says something like 'boys can't be good cooks,' you can point out all the famous chefs who are men. Challenging stereotypes doesn't have to be a big argument — sometimes just offering a real example is enough to make someone think twice.