Stereotyping, which can be used positively and negatively, is something that everyone uses every day; it is found in our humor, in how people describe each other, and in beliefs. People stereotype without knowing it; it's a way we use to help us understand a group. The problem with stereotypes is that it is a personal opinion about a group, not an individual. Everyone has their own unique and distinct personality, just as everyone has their own fingerprints, so it's unfair to be hastily judged by people who don't know others as individuals. Everyone is a victim of stereotypes and has already stereotyped in the past. It's a worldwide problem that can easily be solved, but it continues every day. The causes of stereotypes come from many places, a big influence is the media, which portrays stereotypes in films, in the news and in many other ways, but above all people learn from what others say. Most stereotypes are determined by appearances; the way groups, cultures, or genders look and act are very different from each other (Macrae, Neil. Stereotypes & Stereotyping. New York: Guilford Press, 1996). Appearances are an important part of stereotypes because some groups have an appearance that people identify them with. When you see someone or a group who looks different than what you think is normal, you quickly categorize them based on what you learned on TV or the news. Women are seen as fragile, obsessed with their appearance and clean freaks. While this is not entirely true, stereotypes about women are still evident today (Heights). Even when women are getting stronger, there are still observations about how weak and fragile they are. These stereotypes have a long history and make old habits difficult to break. Adolescents are constantly stereotyped by adults....... middle of paper...... n generalized opinion. Classes like ethnic studies and even a foreign language can provide good information about a particular race. There are many ways to combat stereotypes, but the simplest and best way is to get to know a person and seek knowledge. Stereotypes are everywhere and are used by everyone, it is a way to understand and process what surrounds us. It has existed in history for a long time through religion, politics and the most influential media and still exists today. Even though the planet is making strides to improve, stereotypes continue to thrive. Positive steps towards eliminating stereotypes, such as getting to know someone better, can really help reduce the problem and hopefully the future will have fewer of them. While no one can truly know everyone they meet, knowledge and a little patience can help people understand each other better.