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From: naz@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Norman Azadian)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: generalizations
Message-ID: <765@sdcrdcf.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 5-Jan-84 01:22:26 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcrdcf.765
Posted: Thu Jan  5 01:22:26 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 31-Dec-83 11:40:05 EST
Reply-To: naz@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Norman Azadian)
Organization: System Development Corporation, Santa Monica
Lines: 31

Generalizations tend to be self-fulfilling prophecies.  We men know that we
are not supposed to be as emotional as women, so we restrain the urge to cry.
Women, on the other hand, know that they are supposed to be more emotional
than men, so they feel justified in crying.  Women know that men are not
supposed to be as emotional as women, so they assume that a man is less
masculine if he cries.  Men know that women are supposed to be more emotional
than men, so they expect women to cry.

For example, let's examine the "Women are more emotional than men"
generalization:

	1) Men learn the generalization early on, and refrain from emotional
	    acts such as crying.
	2) Women aren't afraid to cry, as it seems their role.
	3) Women don't expect men to cry, as it seems "unmanly".
	4) Men expect women to cry, as it seems their role.

There may be an element of truth to the generalization, but propagating it
surely tends to reinforce it.  Since many (most?) of these generalizations
(dare I say stereotypes?) imply inferiority, isn't it best to pointedly ignore
them and be prepared to deal with each person as an individual?  Even if a
generalization implies (to YOU, who knows what it implies to another?) only
differentness not inferiority, isn't it always possible that it does not apply
to this person you are dealing with?  If so, your assumptions can lead to
invalid expectations, crossed signals, and a general breakdown of
communications.

Seldom afraid to ask pointy questions,

					NHA
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