This document discusses several common cultural stereotypes. It notes that stereotyping puts people into limited categories based on superficial characteristics and prevents them from being seen as individuals. While stereotypes may contain elements of truth, relying on them to characterize whole groups is neither accurate nor constructive.

1. Cultural Stereotypes
Stereotyping is the portrayal of people or places
through a few obvious characteristics…
Stereotyping is not only hurtful but it is wrong.
Even if the stereotype is correct in some cases,
constantly putting someone down based on your
own preconceived perceptions will not encourage
them to succeed.

2. Class
Upper class- Old money, education at top universities, exclusive clubs, careers in
established law or financial firms or medical specialties. Support for cultural activities
classical music, art museums. Carefully-prepared meals, many of them at restaurants. Often
wearing business clothes, but even casual clothes are upper class styles khaki not denim.
If I was to portray a typical upper class person in a film I would do this by selecting the
character to display confident and casual behaviour. They walk with a stride as they don’t
care for other people’s opinions because as far as their concerned they have money which
gives them power and power is everything.
Middle class- Successful small businessmen, such as grocers and building contractors.
Retirees. Medium-sized homes, often owned. Careful with their money. Careful to always
look nice around other people. Church-goers. Old-fashioned home cooking
Lower class-Steady but low-wage occupations such as store clerks, beauticians, painters.
High school educations. Live in rented housing. Occasionally get into difficulties with family
turmoil, trouble with small misdemeanors, pregnancies. Cheap, easily-prepared foods
(spaghetti, hamburgers), few fruits and vegetables. Blue jeans the wardrobe mainstay. Pop
and rock music constantly going. TV the main entertainment.

3. Sexuality
Sexual stereotypes suggest that any feminine
man is gay and any masculine woman is a
lesbian. Those who believe gay stereotypes
may also believe that homosexuality is
immoral and an abomination.

4. Disability
Inspirations- indomitable disabled person, aka “super cripple” overcomes every
challenge.
Deviant, sinister and Evil – naturally crooked, operate outside normal rules of nature
and society, must be contained controlled or destroyed.
Victims- vulnerable, weak, tragic object of violence and abuse
Exotic freaks- generate feelings of horror, aversion, fear of difference,
embarrassment
Clowns- comic relief, laughable appearance
Twisted and Bitter- Chip on shoulder, whining, acrimonious, angry and difficult
Burden and Outcast-costly, non contributing burdens on society, can’t and don’t “fit
in” anywhere except amongst others of same kind
Non sexual- can never be in a relationship(unless partner is pervert or matyr)
Incapable of full participation- Nothing to do with how society is built or organised,
just can’t learn, earn, play, socialize, shop, travel, go to a nightclub

5. Regional Identity stereotypes
Scotland: Fat, ginger, accent, wet weather & kilts
Liverpool : Crime, football, shell suits, Liverpudlien accent
London: Rich and poor contrast, gun crime and stabbing, cockney
accent, hoodies
Midlands: Gloomy, diverse cultural background, boring, suicidal
Wales: Sheep molesters, vast countryside, welsh accent, all live in
‘the valleys’
Ireland: Gingers, fast talking, accent, Guinness, Irish legends,
leprechaun, four leaf clover

6. Age
Children- Loud, spoilt, brats, intelligent, easily, amused, annoying,
attention seeking, vulnerable, naïve
Adults- mature, independent, work-orientated, bossy, wise, stern,
caring, look down on teens (stereotypes)
Old people- wise, vulnerable, short, weak, forgetful, clumsy, grey haired,
knit, bold, wrinkly, smelly, quiet, hunched over, look down on teens
Teens- rebellious, lazy, sexual, ego centric, irresponsible, focuses on
irrelevant things such as fashion and materialistic objects, give in to peer
pressure, cliquish, disrespect authority

7. Ethnicity
An ethnic stereotype is a simplified and often misleading representation
of an ethnic group, composed of what are thought to be typical
characteristics of members of a given ethnic group.
Ethnic stereotypes are commonly portrayed in ethnic jokes, most of
which usually considered to be offensive in various degrees.
Afro/ Caribbean stereotypes- gangster, fun loving, athletic,
sexist/homophobic males, criminal, victim
East Asian stereotypes- intelligent, hard working, determined, sinister,
lacking emotion
Middle eastern/south Asian/arabic- terrorists, glamorous, educated,
religious fanatics, oppressed females, sophisticated and cultural
White British/American/ European stereotypes- affluent, educated,
socially awkward, restrained, moral, arrogant

8. Gender
Common stereotypes of men and women;
Men are strong and do all the work
Men are the ‘backbone’
Women aren’t as smart as a man
Women can’t do as good of a job as a man
Girls are not good at sports
Guys are messy and unclean
Men who spend too much time on the computer or
read are geeks