Stereotypes

What is a Stereotype?
 An idea or image about an entire group of
people. Although the stereotype may be true
for a few members of the group, it is assumed to
be true for all members.
 Stereotype example: “Teenagers are lazy”
 Whilethere are teenagers that don’t do
much (just as there are of people of all ages)
many teenagers are very active, motivated,
hard working and productive.
 Gender Stereotypes

 The reason that we are so

familiar with these stereotypes
is because… we are always
being taught what a “real
man” or a “real woman” is.
 While some of the qualities
may be true for some people –
some women are very
nurturing & some men are
strong – the reason it’s a
stereotype is because we
expect all men and women to
act that way.
Where do we get
messages about gender
stereotypes?
 Where do we get messages about
gender stereotypes?

Movies TV Shows

Toys
Advertising
Where do we get messages about
gender stereotypes?

Religion/Faith

Family
Where do we get messages about
gender stereotypes?
 These messages come from many
different places and we get them all the
time.

 Some messages are so pervasive they

have become “Cultural Values” which
means… they have been woven into the
U.S. culture as expectations that are
solely based on your gender.
 Anyone who lives in the U.S. is
influenced by the dominant cultural
values that exist to some extent.
Cultural Values

 Cultural values have the ability to LIMIT PEOPLE (not

allow them to be who they truly are), INFLUENCE
ACTIONS, or lead to UNHEALTHY DECISIONS (alcohol,
drugs, risky sexual behaviors, low self-esteem,
depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicide, etc.) to help
cope.
 There is nothing wrong with these cultural values.
 For example…being polite or strong are wonderful
qualities…
 But, when people are expected to ALWAYS be this
way these values can be very limiting and harmful.
Cultural Values
Values Associated
with Men
 Strong – Not needing anyone’s
help; standing by the decisions
they make; confident and
independent; physically strong
 Tough – able to withstand
emotional and physical
discomfort; not crying if you’re
hurt; not “girly”
 In Control – makes decisions for
self and others; can do what
they want; responsible for the
safety of others
Values Associated
with Women
 Emotional – have empathy;
showing or expressing feelings
(sadness, excitement,
nervousness, fear, and happiness);
sharing emotions with others
 Polite/Proper/Pure – good
manners (saying please and thank
you); deferring to authority; not
speaking out of turn; not hurting
others feelings; good morals
 Taking Care of Others – putting
the needs of others first; nurturing
others; noticing and responding to
the needs of others; not hurting
others emotionally or physically
Healthy
Relationships
Healthy Relationships

 Knowing how you want to be treated in

a relationship is a key component of
having a healthy relationship.
 People who don’t know what they want
are at higher risk of having an unhappy
and unhealthy relationship.
 How I want to be treated by my
partner
 Choose YOUR “top 5” most important ways you want to be treated in
a relationship. If you think of a quality that is not listed, please list it.
 Then choose your most important (out of the top 5), write it in your
notes, and explain at the bottom of the page why that attribute is so
important.

Be honest with me
Treat me fairly
Encourage me
Love me

Let me be me
Empathy
 Empathy is another key component of having
healthy relationships
 Empathy- the ability to understand and share
the feelings of another.
 Why is empathy important in relationships?

 http://ed.ted.com/on/QYyMHMNz
(perspectacles)
Discuss the following
questions with your neighbor.
1. How did the students behavior change once he
was wearing the glasses?
2. Are you empathetic enough with the people you
interact with? Explain.
 Relationships
Healthy Relationships
 Treat their partner with respect
and fairness
 Support and encourage each
other
 Treat each other as equals
 Are honest
 Earn their partners trust
 Have shared interests
 Also have separate interests and
identities
 Try hard to have honest and clear
communication
 Enjoy being with one another
 Never hurt their partner physically
or sexually
Unhealthy Relationships
 Treat their partner disrespectfully
and unfairly
 Frequently argue or fight
 Have no shared interests
 Do things ONLY with each other –
they have no separate friends or
interests
 Cheat on their partner
 Don’t care about their partners
feelings
 Don’t enjoy spending time
together
 Healthy or Unhealthy?
Marcus and Lillian
 Marcus and Lillian have been going out for 6 months. Marcus
believes to be in love with Lillian, and thinks Lillian is super pretty
and super smart. Marcus often feels nervous about losing Lilian.
Marcus doesn’t think Lillian would ever cheat, but Marcus sees
Lilian talking and being friendly with other’s constantly. Marcus
feels jealous and is not sure what to do. Marcus told Lillian to quit
being so friendly to other people and to focus more on their
relationship. Lillian got upset, and they had a huge fight. As they
were arguing, Marcus became angry and grabbed Lillian
forcefully by the arms. Marcus then threw Lillian’s cell phone
across the room, smashing it to pieces. After the fight, Marcus
promised it would never happen again. Marcus said it was an
accident, and apologized for hurting and scaring Lilian.
Marcus and Lillian- add
these answers to your pre-
game
 What characteristics (+/-) do you see
in their relationship?
 Is
this relationship healthy or
unhealthy?
 Why?
 Marcus and Lillian
Pros:
 Marcus believes to love Lillian
Cons:
 Marcus tries to limit and control
Lillian
 Marcus is often jealous
 Marcus uses force and throws
and breaks things when angry
 While Marcus may love
Lillian, Marcus’ actions are
unacceptable and
make for an unhealthy
relationship.
 IF Marcus can learn to
control his anger and
jealousy, perhaps they
can have a healthy
relationship.
 However, Lillian does not
deserve to be treated in
this way and it may be
unsafe to stay in the
relationship at this point.
Healthy or Unhealthy?
 Chris and Taylor have been dating for 6 months. Chris just
made the varsity soccer team after putting in many weeks of
hard work and practice throughout the summer. Chris excitedly
calls Taylor to share the news. Taylor has no interest in soccer,
but still talks and listens throughout the entire conversation,
showing Chris happiness and excitement. Taylor knows how
much the team means to Chris, and wants to show support.
Chris invites Taylor to the first soccer game, but Taylor is busy
and can’t come because of a leadership meeting that is
happening at the same time. Chris is disappointed and wishes
that Taylor would just skip the meeting and come to the game
anyway, but Chris knows that leadership is very important to
Taylor. Chris asks Taylor to come to the game after the
meeting is over, and Taylor agrees to make every effort to get
to the game as soon as possible.
Chris and Taylor- add these
answers to your pre-game
 What characteristics (+/-) do
you see in their relationship?
 Is
this relationship healthy or
unhealthy?
 Why?
Chris and Taylor
Cons:
 Chris and Taylor have
different interests (can be
positive)
Pros:
 Neither feels forced to give
up individual interests to be
with the other person
 Both support and
encourage each other
 Both are being honest
 Both are treated as equals
 Both are willing to
compromise when needed
 Chris and Taylor have
different interests, but still
support each other in
things that are important
to them.
 Neither of them feels the
need to give up their
individual interests or
feels forced to join the
interest of the other
person.
 They are honest with
each other and able to
compromise so they are
both happy.
Warning signs of an
abusive relationship (List 3)
 One person throws or
breaks things during an
argument
 One person tries to control
what the other person does,
who they see, or what they
wear
 One person is overly jealous
 One person hurts the other
person physically or sexually
 One person puts the
other person down, calls
them names, or
humiliates them
 One person lies or
changes their story, or
they deny or minimize
the other person’s
experience. This
behavior often makes
the other person feel like
they are “going crazy”
Power and Control Wheel
How to help a Friend
 If someone has been hurt by their partner they may tell a
friend before they tell anyone else...
 Here’s what you can do to help…
How to help a Friend

 LISTEN…you may feel like you know what to say, that’s

okay, what is most important is that you listen and let
your friend know that you are happy to help
 BELIEVE YOUR FRIEND people rarely make up stories of
abuse, your friend is most likely telling the truth
 SHOW THAT YOU CARE this may be the first time that your
friend has ever told anyone about their experience,
support them in what ever way is comfortable for both of
you. Show them with body language and facial
expressions that you really care
How to help a Friend
 REASSURE YOUR FRIEND no matter
what the situation, the person who
committed the assault is the one
responsible. It is not the victims
fault.
 RESPECT YOUR FRIENDS PRIVACY
although lots of tough decisions
need to be made (like who to tell,
when to tell, what to do) let your
friend be in control (as much as
reasonable) with what to do.
Decide on a trusted adult to
involve together. You must
involve a trusted adult.
You’ve Got a Friend
Assignment
 Physical abuse can happen to guys or girls, but girls are the
victims most often. Because teens who are abused are often
feel confused — they may love their abuser and not want the
relationship to end, despite the danger — friends play an
important role in giving them the support they need to break
free. If a friend confides in you that she’s being hurt, it won’t
help to judge her, talk badly about her partner, or tell her what
to do. What will help is to let her know that…
 It was brave of her to tell you the truth
 It’s not her fault and she doesn’t deserve to be abused
 Her partner has a serious problem and needs help
 She has options and they include getting help from a trusted adult
 You can help her do that