Is there some truth to some stereotypes? Should they be challenged

Question

Where do stereotypes come from? 
Do you think psychologically it’s something we’ve come up with to “protect” ourselves?

Accepted Answer

Stereotypes in and of themselves are not harmful. They are used to help categorize situations to maintain safety and are basically brain shortcuts. The issue is when people use stereotypes to create a prejudice and discrimination that influences others in a negative way, especially when the stereotypes are primarily untrue. We all have unconscious and conscious baises and these come from stereotypes. This often created a loop of confirmation of the bias which reinforces the stereotype which creates bigger issues.
For example:. The belief that black people and young people do not tip so servers will not try as hard to provide decent service and will sometimes provide incredibly poor service because they believe black and young people don’t tip and when they don’t tip due to the poor service, their bias is again confirmed and they continue the cycle.

Answer

Some can be very hurtful...like how many doctors stereotype black patients as not feeling pain as much as other races or that we have thicker skin. Which is so incorrect but then you see POCs receiving lees pain management than their counter parts. You see this especially in cases of pregnancy and bg/gyn practices. If you didn't know a lot of the procedures done today werebtested on black women with out any kind of pain medication or spinal blocks.

Answer

There are pros and cons to stereotypes. But like any generalization, they’re only true sometimes. I think the important thing is to be acknowledge of any you have so that way you can be aware and address them appropriately on a case by case basis.

Answer

Physical and culturally behavioral stereotypes are probably the only thing I consider to have any sort of truth behind it. 
Japanese people bow a lot
Asians have slanted eyes
Accents can tell you where a person's from
I don't mind being stereotyped as long as its something true about me. Asians tend to be short and younger-looking. I'm a short, 19 year-old Asian who passed for a high schooler despite being out for 2 years. 
I take a Japanese class, and I'm young, so many classmates assume I watch anime or know anime music. Partly true, since I did when I took classes in high school, but not so much anymore. 
Stereotypes aren't inherently bad. Stereotypes for dogs are things like "Sharpeis have lots of skin rolls", "Chihuahuas are small", "Pitbulls are agressive". Good, bad, and neutral stereotypes exist.

Answer

Some do, some don’t. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

I always say stereotypes exist for a reason.  That being said, I try to be careful assuming anything about anyone based off of stereotypes because people aren't made in a factory with the same specs as someone else in the same demographics.  
Yet here I am as a caucasian married mother who loves wine and deviled eggs and drives a minivan.  I definitely fit some stereotypes :)

Answer

Any generalization is only true sometimes.
You can, however, become part of a stereotype if you identify with certain traits that match your identity. 
Which is one, out of many, things that perpetuate generalization.

Answer

I make generalizations all the time.  Some of my best friends are Asian and I always make the comment about how they don’t age! They seriously don’t look any older than highschool! No harm in that..