Introduction
Personal identity is a specific range of features or other individual characteristics that distinguishes a human being from others. The question of identity, one’s own boundaries, and the perception of oneself in a changing world is a crucial and significant issue. It is significant both in the context of the pledge of a person’s mental health and the normal coexistence of everyone in the community. “Single stories” and “stereotype threat” are critical social issues that obstruct the freedom and identities of people around the world.
The Impact of “Single Stories” and “Stereotype Threat” on Human Identity and Freedom
It is essential to mention that society forms specific customary rules, which everyone adheres to. When a particular person does not follow the standard guidelines, society considers this individual’s behavior improper and presses them. (Not In Our School 00:02:02). Thus, there is a danger of stereotyping when a human being is concerned that cannot conform to the perceptions and ideas of the community. For example, popular belief suggests that women cannot study mathematics (Hopper). Consequently, if a woman has a desire to become an engineer, where deep mathematical knowledge is required, she is afraid to achieve her dream. This conducts to a situation where women are not free in their right to choose. Additionally, in Indonesia, women are still unrepresented in both the economic and political arenas (Islam and Asadullah). Accordingly, talented individuals may not even attempt to express their desires in order not to receive the condemnation of the public.
Even seniors have a problem with identity and free will because of outside influences. Furthermore, some studies demonstrate that the aging of the population in the Western world increases the need for more older people to participate in the labor market (Chiesa et al.). Although some barriers also arise that affect the motivation of older workers to enter the workforce at retirement age. For instance, employees may not feel comfortable in the workplace because they perceive that younger workers have a negative attitude toward them (Chiesa et al.). However, it has not been verified that this situation can occur in the workplace. Still, stereotypes and unproven stories from acquaintances create social stressors in the work environment related to ageism.
Significantly, the formation of stereotypes is influenced by something known as “single stories”. That is, when a human being attempts to follow a specific example, one cannot be confident that such blind imitation will lead to a successful outcome (Saini 1604). There may be an opinion based on only one story, but because of it, a certain category of people suffers. For example, such stereotypes also negatively affect patients from minority groups in the United States (Marcelin et al. 64). They may experience unintentional prejudice from persons through their nationality or specific disabilities. Similarly, there is a stereotype that individuals from Nigeria are poor and uneducated (Adichie 00:04:21). That is, stereotypes produce a large number of complexes and stress for people who want to be different from those around them and, as a result, do not permit self-identification.
Conclusion
Hence, due to the influence of stereotypes and one story, people are not free to realize their desires and self-identity. Instead, they experience stress and indignity when wishing to act independently of the community. Furthermore, especially significant in stereotyping are unverifiable stories, which do not indicate that performing the same scenario will produce the desired outcome. Therefore, to live a free life, it is crucial to eliminate the influence of stereotypes on identity formation.
Works Cited
Chiesa, Rita, et al. “Coping with Negative Stereotypes Toward Older Workers: Organizational and Work-Related Outcomes.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 10, 2019. Web.
Hopper, Elizabeth. “What is Stereotype Threat? The Negative Effects of Worrying about Confirming a Stereotype.” ThoughtCo, Web.
Islam, Kazi Md Mukitul, and M. Niaz Asadullah. “Gender Stereotypes and Education: A Comparative Content Analysis of Malaysian, Indonesian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi school textbooks.” Plos One, vol. 13, no. 1, 2018, Web.
Marcelin, Jasmine R., et al. “The Impact of Unconscious Bias in Healthcare: How to Recognize and Mitigate it.” The Journal of Infectious Diseases, vol. 220, 2019, pp. 62-73.
Saini, Angela. “Stereotype Threat.” The Lancer, vol. 395, no. 10237, 2020, pp. 1604-1605.
“The Danger of a Single Story.” TED, uploaded by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Web.
“Stereotype Threat: A Conversation with Claude Steele”. YouTube, uploaded by Not In Our School, Web.