STEREOTYPES
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
People young and old, often become confused about their values. But for young people especially, the conflicts are more acute. Young people are ultimately left alone to make their own choice about whose advice to follow. But young people raised by moralizing adults are not prepared to make their own responsible choices. They have not learned a process for selecting the best and rejecting the worst elements in the various value systems imposed on them by others. Thus, very often the important value decisions in life are made on the basis of peer pressure, submission to authority, or the power of propaganda. They must realize that the members of all ethnic groups have an individuality and are not all cast from the same mold.
PURPOSE—
This strategy is bicultural in that it will help the students reveal and explore some of their attitudes and beliefs about Puerto Rican people.
MATERIALS—
A blackboard and chalk.
PROCEDURE
1.
|
Ask the students to give you their definitions for the word “stereotype.”
|
2.
|
Write the dictionary definition of “stereotype” on the chalkboard.
|
3.
|
Discuss the dictionary definition so that all students understand its meaning.
|
4.
|
Ask the questions; how are stereotypes created and who creates them?
|
5.
|
Allow time for the students to discuss their answers to the questions.
|
6.
|
On the chalkboard, write the unfinished sentence: Puerto Ricans are . . .
|
7.
|
Ask the students to write at least five responses to that statement.
|
8.
|
Allow time for the students to discuss and explore their responses through a class discussion.
|
9.
|
To measure what the students have learned, ask them to write down their responses to the following questions:
|
|
A.
|
Are stereotypes based on fact or hear-say?
|
|
B.
|
Are stereotypes accurate? Why or Why not?
|
|
C.
|
Is it fair to judge an entire group on the basis of only one or two individuals?
|
|
D.
|
Do you think Puerto Ricans have stereotypes about Americans? If so, what might they be?
|