At a young age, many are unsure of how to act in social settings, and in the midst of finding how to act in those social settings, people will generally turn to a stereotype for guidance.
Those who want to be that “edgy cool kid” will get their hair buzzed at the sides and keep it long on top and have slicked back. Others who want to show they are “easy going, and chill” will let their hair grow out and pride themselves on all-natural products and make avocado toast the base of their food pyramid.
A stereotype, at the end of the day, is a simple template for showing others one’s general personality. It could be argued as a way to filter people that one could potentially interact with. Regardless, people fall into stereotypes subconsciously and there is a myriad of channels where this phenomenon stems from.
Different forms of media (film, music, television) for example, is one channel for the creation of stereotypes.
Why?
Media acts as an authority figure by providing answers to questions like “What looks cool?” or “How should I act in front of X?” Insinuating that this is popular, in which case, acts as a signal to the general group stating, “This is good.”
Popularity is a good persuader.
Within alcohol and drug addiction, there are several stereotypes that are seen based on the type of drug and the symptoms that correlate with it. An alcoholic, for example, is usually thought of as:
– A middle-aged homeless man
– They have poor hygiene
– They are homeless or live in poverty
– They drink cheap liquor that with a brown paper bag
– They don’t have a job
This is what is shown in media. The character Rickety Cricket from Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a perfect example of this portrayal.
Yes, it’s funny to hit on certain stereotypes, but most people who are alcoholics or drug addicts do not look like this stereotype. Anyone can be an alcoholic or have a problem with substance use disorder. Judging someone based on their image not only reinforces a false message but also sweeps the issue under the rug.
