The Oxford dictionary defines a stereotype as “a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing”. Sounds complicated? Well, in simpler words, a stereotype is just a biased idea on someone or something such that it is assumed that they will behave in that particular way. It is often untrue.

Some common examples which I’ve come across a lot of times goes like ‘Girls are emotional’, ‘Boys are strong-minded’, ‘Girls like pink’, ‘Boys like blue’, etc. I’m sure that stereotypes like ‘Girls like pink’ will be true in a couple of cases but just plainly untrue in others because most of the girls that I’ve come across have a passion for shades of blue, which are biased as a ‘Boy color’. Others like ‘Girls are emotional’, ‘Boys are strong-minded’ maybe true in some cases, but certainly not true in absolutely every boy or girl. True, I’ve seen so many girls who are determined and strong-minded despite how a stereotype would assume them to be and met many boys who get offended for trivial matters. What I’m trying to say is that stereotyping is not true and that no one, irrespective of their gender, should base their likes and life on it at all.

When you type in a searching browser for a ‘Girls’ bedroom’ you’re most likely to find rooms that have princesses, unicorns, plenty of pink (no doubt), fluttery curtains and the like whereas if you search for a ‘Boys’ bedroom’ you’re going to find yourself faced with cars, bright shades of blue, footballs, sportsmen and, I guess you get the idea. There is no doubt, there is plenty of stereotyping in these pictures. When kids view these images, they get the wrong idea of how a girls’ or a boys’ room should be kept when in reality a girl can deck her room out with cars and footballs and it wouldn’t be wrong if a boy has a pink-themed room. But, because of these stereotypes, everybody’s passions that jump out of the box are curbed and they are regarded as ‘weirdos’ if they show it out. Stereotyping has done this to the world today.

I’m one who is not afraid to show that I’m not going to follow stereotypes no matter what happens. If I like something that the society happens to feel is only for boys like riding a big boy’s bicycle or climbing up trees, I wouldn’t follow those stereotypes. For instance, I don’t have my room decked with pink and floral arts like any old girl would follow for the sake of stereotypes (unless she really likes it). I have my room in a theme that comprises of wildlife, travel, ships, fencing and the like. I certainly find that many times better than a pinkish room with cosmetics and unicorns. I also think that all the girls out there should give up basing their likes and passions on stereotypes and go by what they truly find fascinating, irrespective of stereotyping and what others might think.

Boys too should not be shy to tell that ‘Yeah, I like pink and there’s no wrong in that’. You might not really like pink but this is just an example for you to stop building your thoughts on what stereotypes tell us. Stereotyping is wrong and no one is supposed to lead their lives on these untrue statements. It has lead to major problems and even crimes because of the inequality and discrimination it has caused. We, as the younger generation must strive to abolish stereotyping and help others to never lead their live on it too. I hope that stereotyping will become merely a piece of unpleasant history in the upcoming years and will be forgotten. So please, stop your thoughts based on stereotypes right now and encourage others to do the same.