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Two Perspectives is a monthly column with two different perspectives on the same topic from two different continents, cultures and genders viz Janet Smith Warfield, J.D., Sarasota, FL,USA and Dr Amit Nagpal, New Delhi, India Janet Smith Warfield's perspective Of course not, unless we want to stop talking completely. Words automatically create stereotypes: black versus white, tall versus short, fat versus thin. Words automatically divide and classify our sensory data. Words automatically simplify so we can understand and communicate. But let’s look for a minute at: 1.    The intention behind creating a stereotype 2.    The emotional content we give it. 3.    The experiential context of the stereotype If you are in Tampa and ask for directions to Sarasota, your intention is to go from Tampa to Sarasota. Perhaps Paul tells you to drive 60 miles south on I-75 until you see a tall, fat, black post on the left s...

(Dedicated to my school classfellow Amit Gupta, who became my soul friend and like a family member) What exactly is stereotyping and why do we do it? A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. Stereotypes are standardized and simplified conceptions of groups based on some prior assumptions. In some ways stereotyping is done to simplify the process of judgment or decision making. For example there is a stereotype that Americans like straightforward talk and informality. This knowledge may be helpful in dealing with Americans but one needs to be cautious that 100 % Americans are not like that. So before stereotyping, one needs to observe and take time in drawing conclusions (and crosscheck the stereotype before applying the stereotype). The rise of feminism has been basically against stereotyping of female roles in society; for example a female should take care of housework, females need not study too much, females are not suitable ...