SOME stereotyping I don't mind. Some stereotyping I enjoy for the sake of smooth social interaction.
Stereotypes give us common ground on which to cleave together.
Like mentioning the weather. When you're at the bus stop and you all marvel together at hail stones falling on daffodils during a deranged April. "Can someone not try switching the sky off and on again?" someone might say, and we all give a chuckle.
This is nice. This is bonhomie.
Some stereotyping, though, it makes your eyes roll clean out your head.
Hilary Clinton is playing the woman card, says presidential rival Donald Trump. Lucky Hilary. That woman card will be serving her well. With women earning fewer cents to the dollar, Clinton can try to use her woman card to lift out $20 and receive $15.80 instead.
Of course, when she tries to use it she needs a man to explain it to her first. Women in politics, eh? They're only interested in one thing.
Some stereotyping, still, it makes your eyes pop right out on stalks.
Blantyre dad John Tierney has been generating headlines for his flagrant abuse of the form. Mr Tierney has a daughter, Grace, who expressed an intention to get herself a boyfriend. Grace is four so let's all hope this remains an intention for at least another 12 years yet.
For her dad, though, 12 years isn't enough. In a video shot by Mr Tierney and posted online, Grace says she wants a boyfriend and her dad replies: "I’ll break his legs." Mr Tierney would have Grace become a nun in order that, by proxy, he can control any choice she might want to make for her own body.
"You’re not getting a boyfriend, you’re going to be a nun. You’re going to work for Jesus," he tells her.
Oh, sorry, I forget - it's just a joke. The old joke about the terrified young suitor appearing at the foot of the steps while overbearing, overprotective daddy looms from the doorframe, his crown brushing the lintel. The pawing stag threatening to turn the buck into a havier, should he so much as blink at the young doe.
Grace, it has to be said, comes across as a lady capable of looking after herself. "No. Listen. I want a boyfriend, I’m getting a boyfriend." Good for her.
Mr Tierney is now dubbed that most modern of phenomenon - an internet sensation. And all because no one questions the tropes presented to them.
A chum at a party recently was talking about the same thing. His 15-year-old sister looks set to embark on dating and he's not having it. "I've told her, no boys until she's 30."
This is found to be kind of cute. Pretty sweet. Caring and protective. It creeps me out. Do these big dads and older brothers never stop to wonder why they're so interested in their daughter/sister's sexual life?
Can they not just regard the women they care about as autonomous beings and let them be?
Some stereotyping, you have to admit, makes your eyes cast downwards.
Al Ferguson, a father who set up website The Dad Network, is pushing back against the notion of dads babysitting their own children. "Dads don't babysit, it's called parenting."
He points to the negative stereotype of dads as secondary caregivers, fly-by-nights who "help out" with or "get stuck with" their offspring.
Mr Ferguson, I presume, will be all on board with the ASA, the independent ad regulator, which is to launch a new project exploring gender stereotyping in adverts.
It points to the objectification and sexualisation of women in ads, the presenting of idealised or unrealistic body images, the mocking of women and men in non-stereotypical roles.
Chief Executive, Guy Parker, said: “We’re serious about making sure we’re alive to changing attitudes and behaviours."
Good luck, Mr Parker. One woman's damaging stereotype is another man's ticket to fame.
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