Psycho-Babble Social Thread 721248

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Re: give me a break.

Posted by one woman cine on January 16, 2007, at 12:20:02

In reply to give me a break., posted by karen_kay on January 16, 2007, at 12:08:44

> i'm fairly certain auntie mel wasn't saying that to reinforce stereotypes. i'm sure she was giving an example, which by deneb's description, would help deneb to understand her mother's point of view.
>
>

& you are also fairly confident you can speak for someone else?

 

let me add -

Posted by one woman cine on January 16, 2007, at 12:32:37

In reply to give me a break., posted by karen_kay on January 16, 2007, at 12:08:44

I don't think the "Joy luck club" reference was made out of malice...but stereotypes do hurt.

""A "stereotype" is a generalization about a person or group of persons. We develop stereotypes when we are unable or unwilling to obtain all of the information we would need to make fair judgments about people or situations. In the absence of the "total picture," stereotypes in many cases allow us to "fill in the blanks." Our society often innocently creates and perpetuates stereotypes, but these stereotypes often lead to unfair discrimination and persecution when the stereotype is unfavorable. "

 

Re: let me add - » one woman cine

Posted by gardenergirl on January 16, 2007, at 13:16:51

In reply to let me add -, posted by one woman cine on January 16, 2007, at 12:32:37

Mel, just kick me if you wish, because I know you can speak for yourself.

However, I'm going to speak, too. Hope that's okay with you, onewomancine.

I agree with you that stereotypes hurt. I don't believe, though, that Auntie Mel suggested this book to Deneb in order to learn all about Chinese women. Rather, I believe she suggested it as a tool for Deneb to read and reflect in hopes of improving her relationship with her mother.

It would be dangerous for anyone to assume that anyone belonging to a certain group is exactly the same as a portrayal of the group, whatever the medium. Similarly, there is more within group variation versus between groups variation. But you know that, I'm sure.

Still, it can be helpful to have a place to start and some "grist for the mill" to stimulate reflection when trying to understand something. Deneb is likely to take in information (whether from this book or anything else), digest it, compare and contrast it to other examples and to what she already knows, and then either assimilate/integrate it or let it go. She's a pretty smart cookie in a lot of ways. I doubt she took Mel's recommendation as, "This is a map of your mother."

Of course I could be wrong, because I can only speak for me, ya know.

gg

 

well thanks gg

Posted by one woman cine on January 16, 2007, at 13:24:47

In reply to Re: let me add - » one woman cine, posted by gardenergirl on January 16, 2007, at 13:16:51

for clarifying that. Golly! Maybe I'm being "senstive" but your post sets off my "sarcasm detector".

"Mel, just kick me if you wish, because I know you can speak for yourself.

However, I'm going to speak, too. Hope that's okay with you, onewomancine."

I'm sure that's not your intended effect, though, right?

((((gg)))

People other than Babblers read this bb and I'm not sure if they would necessarily have that same view.

People on babble are extremely sensitive to issues of mental health, in particular. I have seen people hurt by the stigma of mental illness.
Just as it's not OK to stereotype mental illness, it's not OK to stigmatize any other group of people either.

(((auntie mel)))

 

i'm not even in the mood » one woman cine

Posted by karen_kay on January 16, 2007, at 13:37:35

In reply to Re: give me a break. - karen kay, posted by one woman cine on January 16, 2007, at 12:18:58

young (kinda, not so much anymore), white, female. what sort of stereotypes do you think i've encountered? how about at the auto parts store? or even better, any appliance store. going to get tools as presents, and i get treated like i have no idea what's going on.

is it fair? of course not. do i waste any time or energy trying to break this stereotype? not at all. it doesn't bother me becuase i know i'm not tool-stupid, or car-stupid, or appliance-stupid.


i personally find it frustrating when someone here is trying to help and they get tore a new one. how supportive is that?

i'm not saying we all have to agree. not at all. but, can't we have the attitude that people here are just trying to help the way they know how? and how about giving people the benefit of the doubt, instead of laying into them?

geez, are we trying to reinforce the stereotype that the mentally ill are confrontational and argumentative? because that's the way it seems here lately (not excluding myself of course.)

go ahead, let me have it then. and i really hope your day is going well (no sarcasm there, swear it!)

 

Re: Deep breath

Posted by Deneb on January 16, 2007, at 14:12:39

In reply to Re: Deep breath » AuntieMel, posted by Deneb on January 12, 2007, at 14:11:33

>My Mom thinks I should deny any and all problems I have no matter what. She told me that even if I were mentally retarded I should never ever admit that there is anything wrong with me. I don't think she would support me going to a mental health support site. She doesn't support me seeing a T or taking medication.

I don't get my Mom. She did tell me to deny all problems, but I just learned she isn't against me talking to my T or taking medications.

Deneb*

 

Re: i'm not even in the mood

Posted by one woman cine on January 16, 2007, at 14:13:01

In reply to i'm not even in the mood » one woman cine, posted by karen_kay on January 16, 2007, at 13:37:35

> young (kinda, not so much anymore), white, female. what sort of stereotypes do you think i've encountered? how about at the auto parts store? or even better, any appliance store. going to get tools as presents, and i get treated like i have no idea what's going on.
>
> is it fair? of course not. do i waste any time or energy trying to break this stereotype? not at all. it doesn't bother me becuase i know i'm not tool-stupid, or car-stupid, or appliance-stupid.
>
>
> i personally find it frustrating when someone here is trying to help and they get tore a new one. how supportive is that?
>
> i'm not saying we all have to agree. not at all. but, can't we have the attitude that people here are just trying to help the way they know how? and how about giving people the benefit of the doubt, instead of laying into them?
>
> geez, are we trying to reinforce the stereotype that the mentally ill are confrontational and argumentative? because that's the way it seems here lately (not excluding myself of course.)
>
> go ahead, let me have it then. and i really hope your day is going well (no sarcasm there, swear it!)
>
>
>


Hmm, I think you are jumping to a conclusion about me - I wasn't ripping any one a "new one" or "laying into them" - I was bringing up a point about stereotypes. That's all.

People interpret "support" differently. What one person sees as sarcastic, another sees as supportive.

I am only asking for sensitivity and civility in regard to generalizations, which is mentioned in the FAQ, which is what this site says it espouses.

 

Lou's response to aspects of OWC's post » one woman cine

Posted by Lou Pilder on January 16, 2007, at 14:51:53

In reply to Joy Luck Club + stereotypes... - Auntie Mel, posted by one woman cine on January 16, 2007, at 11:16:13

> I must respectfully disagree with Joy Luck Club...
>
>
>
> By extension of Auntie Mel's and Kath's "Joy Luck Club" -
>
>
> For understanding groups we don't understand, read book "XYZ"
>
>
> watch (or read) One Flew over the Cuckoo's nest to understand the mentally ill.
>
> watch the Lone Ranger to understand American Indians...
>
> read (or watch) Huckleberry Finn or the Color purple to understand african americans...
>
> To understand the South, read Flannery O'connor or Tennesee William's "streetcar named desire"
>
> Watch the Sopranos to understand Italian americans.
>
> & on it goes.....
>
> http://www.colorado.edu/ftep/diversity/div06.html
>
>
one woman cine,
You wrote,[..."Joy Luck Club"...for understanding groups we don't understand, read book "XYZ"...].
Thank you for bringing out that there is the potential for a group to be sterotyped by one person's depiction, even if it is innocently portrayed. I believe that there is the potential for that to happen IMO via a television series, or a movie or a book or perhaps a club or cult where the content is controlled by leaving open to malign a particular group, where sterotyping of other groups would not be allowed.
I believe that the principles of social justice make no distinction as to the author's intent of any work that has the potential to sterotype a group of peoples. Wherever I see people of any nature, the subject for the potential to be sterotyped as a group of people, I try with all my might for that to be repudiated so that there is no doubt that the sterotyping is not endorsed.
Lou


 

Re: well thanks gg » one woman cine

Posted by tofuemmy on January 16, 2007, at 15:50:34

In reply to well thanks gg, posted by one woman cine on January 16, 2007, at 13:24:47

"Golly! Maybe I'm being "senstive" but your post sets off my "sarcasm detector". "

OWC - I have known GG for many years, and yes she has the ability to be sarcastic...as do I. However, as someone who knows GG well, I don't hear sarcasm in this post. Tone is hard to read sometimes. I think she was just trying to help smooth things out. As am I.

em

 

Re: let me add -

Posted by laima on January 16, 2007, at 16:12:45

In reply to Re: let me add - » one woman cine, posted by gardenergirl on January 16, 2007, at 13:16:51


I think reading fiction can be quite enriching, and can shed insight or a new twist on understanding one's own life experience. It can give us ideas for new language to use as we think of our experiences. For example, "Oh, this and this happened in my life and I felt terrible, it was horrible and embarressing- here something like it happened in the book and the author made it sound sort of bittersweetly funny. Maybe I can make peace with my experience and look at it lighter, too. I sure do have an interesting story..." Or, "That character in the book reminds me of my mom when she's too strict and unfair- oh- so the character behaves that way because of this and that? Maybe I should give mom a break." Sorry if this sounds sappy and oversimplified. I think the book suggestion was a good one.


 

Re: give me a break. - karen kay

Posted by laima on January 16, 2007, at 16:14:30

In reply to Re: give me a break. - karen kay, posted by one woman cine on January 16, 2007, at 12:18:58


I've been victim of ethnic and occupational stereotyping, and I still don't see what the problem is with suggesting The Joy Luck Club.

> Have you ever been the victim of stereotype?
>
> Somehow, when you say "give me a break" - it doesn't seem like you have...
>
> I'm not splitting hairs - I'm serious.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

 

Re:

Posted by laima on January 16, 2007, at 16:17:45

In reply to Lou's response to aspects of OWC's post » one woman cine, posted by Lou Pilder on January 16, 2007, at 14:51:53


Um, isn't Amy Tan a Chinese-American woman writing about other Chinese American women? Isn't that ok for her to do?

 

Re: let me add -

Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on January 16, 2007, at 16:21:00

In reply to Re: let me add - » one woman cine, posted by gardenergirl on January 16, 2007, at 13:16:51

Sometimes reading something that resonates helps us understand ourselves.

Sometimes it also helps to read something about people like us, even though it makes us feel like we are "different" then they are. Helps us understand ourselves.

If Deneb wishes to understand her mom's behavior at a different level, it might be interesting to her to thing about cultural influences and generational influences on her mom's behavior. Kind of like an anthropology project.

Reading a book about a group of people who are different from me often has the effect of helping me understand that people from [group X] are in fact individuals, rather than category-members. That has certainly been my experience as a reader of psycho-babble posts.

-Ll

 

Hey Deneb! » Deneb

Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on January 16, 2007, at 18:05:52

In reply to Re: Deep breath, posted by Deneb on January 16, 2007, at 14:12:39

> >My Mom thinks I should deny any and all problems I have no matter what. She told me that even if I were mentally retarded I should never ever admit that there is anything wrong with me. I don't think she would support me going to a mental health support site. She doesn't support me seeing a T or taking medication.
>
> I don't get my Mom. She did tell me to deny all problems, but I just learned she isn't against me talking to my T or taking medications.
>
> Deneb*

Deneb,
It's okay not to "get" your mom. I don't think any of us "get" our moms all the time. Or even for important stuff. I am understanding my mom more and more these days. Helps that my T is kind of in the same demographic as my mom. It makes it more credible for me to understand how some things my mom does are highly unusual if it comes from someone with knowledge of what is "typical" in certain populations.

I'm not surprised that your mom wants you to deny your weaknesses. Parents have a lot of reasons for wanting that. 1. It might make them feel that people will think less of them as a parent. 2. belief that private things should remain inside the family. 3. Looking out for your best interests as you encounter people in the world who don't understand mental illness. 4. She doesn't want to be reminded that her daughter struggles with problems that she cannot fix. etc.

I'm SO happy to hear that she is not against you taking medication or seeing your pdoc/T. Of course, if she *were* against it, you'd know by now. She'd make it difficult for you to schedule and keep appts, or she might make if difficult for you to obtain your medications.

It sounds like you had a really important discussion with her. Have you guys ever talked about the effect of your mental illness on family life with a counsellor? I understand that there might be language barriers, etc. I also think that it might help you to understand how your parents feel about you, and the extent of their love for you. It might also make day-to-day living a little smoother if they can understand the types of things that you struggle with. (I'm also thinking of your younger sibling). As a younger sibling of someone who had severe depression and psychosis... well, I guess I would have appreciated it if someone could have sat down and explained to me what was going on. Instead I got the idea that if I ever told anyone what happened at home that my older brother would be sent away to an "insane asylum" for the rest of his ? and I would be responsible for violating the family's privacy. (yeah, I got issues) anyways, just wanted to throw that suggestion out there. family counselling. hip hip hooray...

-Ll

 

Lou's response to aspects of laima's post

Posted by Lou Pilder on January 16, 2007, at 19:03:55

In reply to Re:, posted by laima on January 16, 2007, at 16:17:45

>
> Um, isn't Amy Tan a Chinese-American woman writing about other Chinese American women? Isn't that ok for her to do?

Friends,
It is written here,[...a ..woman writing about other..Isn't that OK for her to do so?..]
I believe that whatever the intent or otherwise there might be that something is written about a group of people that has the potential to sterotype that group, if the sterotyping can be seen, then I belive that is not in accordance with the principles of social justice.
There are examples where the peoples in question are made out to be what the author might consider to be humorous. But would the subjects of the author's humor think that it was comical? Or could there not be others besides the author outside of the group of people in question that could not think it was funny? And would it matter if the author was of the same group of people?
Then there are examples in movies, books etc that use sterotyping to have the effect to be disparging to a group of people. Even if the author claimes it is funny, does that ligitimize any denigration that could be seen toward the group of people in question?
This actually happened to me. I was in a lounge with professional employees that were telling what they called jokes about people of Appalachian origin. I complained to the administration and they claimed that the jokes were allowed because they were funny. I asked in the hearing as to what could be the difference if "Jew" was replaced where they used the word for people of Appalachian descent. They said that they would not tell jokes with that in mind because I was there but they could tell jokes that were disparging to those of Appalachian descent because none of those according to them were there. I answerd them by saying that if you say it about them, you say it about me.
Lou

 

My thoughts on book/film recommendations » one woman cine

Posted by ClearSkies on January 16, 2007, at 20:39:34

In reply to Joy Luck Club + stereotypes... - Auntie Mel, posted by one woman cine on January 16, 2007, at 11:16:13

Isn't it wonderful how we can help enrich others' points of view by merely suggesting that they read a book or watch a film? If one is housebound, or unable to travel, being able to read or watch about another's views and experiences becomes invaluable, irreplaceable.

> I must respectfully disagree with Joy Luck Club...
>

Have you read a book that might flesh out the author's story? Something that has resonated with you, perhaps?

>
>
> By extension of Auntie Mel's and Kath's "Joy Luck Club" -
>
>
> For understanding groups we don't understand, read book "XYZ"
>

Or, maybe, "for insight in trying to understand groups we don't understand, read book "XYZ" ."

>
> watch (or read) One Flew over the Cuckoo's nest to understand the mentally ill.
>

I'd also suggest reading Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar", and also "The Noonday Demon", and "An Unquiet Mind". All excellent books, all with their own stories to tell.


> watch the Lone Ranger to understand American Indians...
>

I liked the movie "Smoke Signals" for its take on modern reservation life. ("Don't laugh so much," says one character. "You're supposed to look stoic.")

> read (or watch) Huckleberry Finn or the Color purple to understand african americans...
>

Hmmm, Olivia Butler? Maya Angelou? How about a Spike Lee film?

> To understand the South, read Flannery O'connor or Tennesee William's "streetcar named desire"
>
> Watch the Sopranos to understand Italian americans.
>
> & on it goes.....

Indeed, on and on it goes... reading, watching films, exposing ourselves to literature and art from cultures foreign to ours is what sparks enquiry; leads to understanding, revelation, compassion....

I did read a certain tone into your post, one woman cine. I interpreted it as less than supportive of another poster's suggestion. Perhaps that's because of our personal styles. I tend to be informal and often flippant - though I'm dead serious here. It is impossible to "read" intent in the posts here.

That's my 2 cents. Thanks,
ClearSkies

 

Lou'sresponse to aspects of ClearSkie's post

Posted by Lou Pilder on January 16, 2007, at 23:12:55

In reply to My thoughts on book/film recommendations » one woman cine, posted by ClearSkies on January 16, 2007, at 20:39:34

> Isn't it wonderful how we can help enrich others' points of view by merely suggesting that they read a book or watch a film? If one is housebound, or unable to travel, being able to read or watch about another's views and experiences becomes invaluable, irreplaceable.
>
> > I must respectfully disagree with Joy Luck Club...
> >
>
> Have you read a book that might flesh out the author's story? Something that has resonated with you, perhaps?
>
> >
> >
> > By extension of Auntie Mel's and Kath's "Joy Luck Club" -
> >
> >
> > For understanding groups we don't understand, read book "XYZ"
> >
>
> Or, maybe, "for insight in trying to understand groups we don't understand, read book "XYZ" ."
>
> >
> > watch (or read) One Flew over the Cuckoo's nest to understand the mentally ill.
> >
>
> I'd also suggest reading Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar", and also "The Noonday Demon", and "An Unquiet Mind". All excellent books, all with their own stories to tell.
>
>
> > watch the Lone Ranger to understand American Indians...
> >
>
> I liked the movie "Smoke Signals" for its take on modern reservation life. ("Don't laugh so much," says one character. "You're supposed to look stoic.")
>
> > read (or watch) Huckleberry Finn or the Color purple to understand african americans...
> >
>
> Hmmm, Olivia Butler? Maya Angelou? How about a Spike Lee film?
>
> > To understand the South, read Flannery O'connor or Tennesee William's "streetcar named desire"
> >
> > Watch the Sopranos to understand Italian americans.
> >
> > & on it goes.....
>
> Indeed, on and on it goes... reading, watching films, exposing ourselves to literature and art from cultures foreign to ours is what sparks enquiry; leads to understanding, revelation, compassion....
>
> I did read a certain tone into your post, one woman cine. I interpreted it as less than supportive of another poster's suggestion. Perhaps that's because of our personal styles. I tend to be informal and often flippant - though I'm dead serious here. It is impossible to "read" intent in the posts here.
>
> That's my 2 cents. Thanks,
> ClearSkies
>
> Friends,
It is written here,[...I did read a..tone into your post, one woman cine...less than supportive of another poster's suggestion...]
Let us look at the grammatical structure os OWC's post:
[...For understanding groups we don't understand, read book "XYZ"...]
The grammatical structure here has a qualifier for a challenge,(A),{for understanding groups we don't understand}, and then the offerd solution is to (B), read book "XYZ".
This is different from reading a book that is {about people} such as John Stienbeck's {...Grapes..Wrath...}. The book was about, on one level, the plight of those forced from their land in Oklahoma because of the environmental disaster of the {dust bowl} in the depression era of the 1930's. I don't think OWC is saying to read that book to find out about what is typical of people from Oklahoma today.
In Merideth Wilson's,{...Music Man....}I do not think that watching the play is suggested to be a way to know what is typical of people from Iowa today.
The grammatical structure of OWC's post is about sterotyping a group of people in a book that is different from Stienbeck's novel of Wilson's musical. If a book is sterotyping a group, it depicts selective inferrences to catagorize them with generalizations about them. These are often invalid assumptions and in many cases designed to defame the group, but not always.
Looking at the grammatical structure of AM's post that one woman cine was referring to,[...your mom is old school Chinese..typical mainland..from her generation...sounds like the mom in the book...], I wonder if those inferrences could apply to {mom} here or not. What if {mom} was not like those perceptions?
Lou


>

 

Re: well thanks gg » tofuemmy

Posted by one woman cine on January 17, 2007, at 6:59:34

In reply to Re: well thanks gg » one woman cine, posted by tofuemmy on January 16, 2007, at 15:50:34

Thanks, tofuemmy - I really appreciated that - affect is hard to read over the internet.

 

Re: let me add - Ll » Llurpsie_Noodle

Posted by one woman cine on January 17, 2007, at 7:31:06

In reply to Re: let me add -, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on January 16, 2007, at 16:21:00

I totally understand your point, literature and fiction can enrich our lives and make us think.... but when generalizations are made about a group of people or a single person; it becomes very problematic....

This was the statment Auntie Mel made...

"Deneb, your mom is old school Chinese. What she is saying is pretty typical of mainland people from her generation."

Generalizations lead to stereotyping.

Bipolar people are like this....& drug addicts are like this -

or borderlines are like this - so read "Girl interrupted" - or "managing countertransference with borderlines".

I personally couldn't read the Bell Jar and say, oh well so-and-so is depressed so this is what she must be like. I can say, gee, this sounds like me and resonates with me, but I can't sit inside someone's skin and say the same thing.

IMO it is dangerous to make assumptions about anyone - if you can read a book and understand yourself better, fine.

It explicitly states in the FAQ about sensitivity and generalizing about people.

Making assumptions about others based upon tv/movies etc. leads to stereotyping, which is why I provided the link before to illustrate this.

I would not like to be categorized or have a generalization made about me by someone who read a book or saw a movie; thinking that was similiar to me - so that must be how I'm like....

 

Re: well thanks gg » one woman cine

Posted by gardenergirl on January 17, 2007, at 9:28:22

In reply to well thanks gg, posted by one woman cine on January 16, 2007, at 13:24:47

> for clarifying that. Golly! Maybe I'm being "senstive" but your post sets off my "sarcasm detector".
>
> "Mel, just kick me if you wish, because I know you can speak for yourself.
>
> However, I'm going to speak, too. Hope that's okay with you, onewomancine."
>
>
>
> I'm sure that's not your intended effect, though, right?
>
> ((((gg)))

Both of those statements were made, with a wink to Auntie Mel, as a response to your question to KK: "& you are also fairly confident you can speak for someone else?" We've all got different thresholds for deciding what's X and what's not. Personally, my sensitivity fluctuates throughout the month (darned hormones!), so I might be just as likely to read my post the way you did if it were someone else's I didn't know.

I'm sorry if my words and the possible tone that came across seemed disrespectful to you. I do understand your points, and I agree with most of them. I think I'd be more likely to focus on support for Deneb in this thread, though. Your supportive posts for her are great, btw.
>
> People other than Babblers read this bb and I'm not sure if they would necessarily have that same view.

I'm not sure what you are referring to here.

>
> People on babble are extremely sensitive to issues of mental health, in particular. I have seen people hurt by the stigma of mental illness.
> Just as it's not OK to stereotype mental illness, it's not OK to stigmatize any other group of people either.

I agree it's not ok to stigmatize others and that there is a great deal of unfair and damaging stigma associated with mental illness. Still, and I say this with a broad wink, grin, lack of criticism, and lack of malice...um, is there a common "sensitivity" for "people on Babble"? We're all sensitive? ;) Just a point that it's a common and in many ways quite efficient cognitive process to form generalities about groups. It's when we make assumptions based on those generalities and worse, act on them without thought for individual differences that this cognitive "shortcut" breaks down.

Thanks for the hug and right back atcha. :)

gg

namaste

 

Re: well thanks gg » tofuemmy

Posted by gardenergirl on January 17, 2007, at 9:37:58

In reply to Re: well thanks gg » one woman cine, posted by tofuemmy on January 16, 2007, at 15:50:34

Thanks sweetie. You know me pretty well. :)

Take care.

gg

namaste

 

Re: let me add - » laima

Posted by gardenergirl on January 17, 2007, at 9:41:46

In reply to Re: let me add -, posted by laima on January 16, 2007, at 16:12:45

>
> I think reading fiction can be quite enriching, and can shed insight or a new twist on understanding one's own life experience. It can give us ideas for new language to use as we think of our experiences. For example, "Oh, this and this happened in my life and I felt terrible, it was horrible and embarressing- here something like it happened in the book and the author made it sound sort of bittersweetly funny. Maybe I can make peace with my experience and look at it lighter, too. I sure do have an interesting story..." Or, "That character in the book reminds me of my mom when she's too strict and unfair- oh- so the character behaves that way because of this and that? Maybe I should give mom a break." Sorry if this sounds sappy and oversimplified. I think the book suggestion was a good one.
>
>

I don't think this is sappy at all. That's part of what makes literature, all kinds, so enduring and meaningful to all of us and to each of us.

gg

namaste

 

Re: let me add - Ll » one woman cine

Posted by gardenergirl on January 17, 2007, at 9:59:04

In reply to Re: let me add - Ll » Llurpsie_Noodle, posted by one woman cine on January 17, 2007, at 7:31:06

>
> I would not like to be categorized or have a generalization made about me by someone who read a book or saw a movie; thinking that was similiar to me - so that must be how I'm like....

In this case, however, Auntie Mel was forming her impression based on experience with many Chinese women. It's more likely that she formed her impressions of Chinese women based on that experience, and then resonated with Ms. Tan's book versus the other way around. (AM, please feel free to correct my assumption if appropriate.) I also believe, based on my own experiences with Auntie Mel, that she is much *less* likely to form impressions or judgments about others based on cultural stereotypes than "the average bear". I deeply respect that about her.

Stereotypes break down as one gains experience with more and more individuals from the stereotyped group. Stereotypes are much more likely to be a primary factor in how an individual thinks about others when the individual's experience is narrow and limited to a small number of examples.

For example, it's been said that, "All so and soes look alike." The person saying that wouldn't say that about their own race, because they've had way more contact with people from their own group than the other group, (in most cases). If someone has a similar breadth of contacts with individuals from the other group, they are more able to discriminate individual feature differences and likely would not believe that, "All so and soes look alike".

Stereotypes are a complex construct.

gg

namaste

 

Re: let me add - Ll » gardenergirl

Posted by one woman cine on January 17, 2007, at 10:15:06

In reply to Re: let me add - Ll » one woman cine, posted by gardenergirl on January 17, 2007, at 9:59:04

Thank you for your thoughtful posts. I appreciate your points & I do agree with most of them.

I am widening the "stereotype" net, if you will to include all generalities of people. People with mental illness are stigmatized, by many - including some of their health care providers.

Some practioners won't work with borderlines or people with DID because of stereotypes ("they all cut, they are hysterics, they want attention, or they are faking it"...etc.) - &, correct me if I am wrong - the PB board posts are sometimes filled with anguish and angst because various posters are "generalized" and then more or less, stereotyped and discriminated against. No one likes that.

You know Auntie Mel. I do not. If I was an average poster with no experience with AM, then I might not be able to "get where the message is coming from" and take it as fact, not an opinion.

& also, having wide contact with any group; is not exactly reason to generalize. Deneb's mother is not unique in her reaction -

& my question is more rhetorical - is this a "old school chinese" reaction or a reaction common to a "personality type" if you will. But even that is very thin ice, & an assumption I am not comfortable making.

I don't want to belabor this point, though -

I was trying point out the damaging effects of stereotyping and engage in a more postive dialogue thinking "critically" about the issue.

Thanks again for the thoughtful posts.

 

mobius strips anyone? little lightness for all... (nm)

Posted by zenhussy on January 17, 2007, at 10:41:34

In reply to Re: let me add - Ll » one woman cine, posted by gardenergirl on January 17, 2007, at 9:59:04


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