Why do people think these things..

lyssamichelle

Like why do people think that you're overweight because all you do is watch TV, lay around, & stuff food in your mouth.

I personally canNOT stand to be still. Never could, I have to move constantly. I'm overweight because I messed my metabolism up, trying to skip meals.. then eating.. but over eating.. then eating to make myself feel ever worse for eating so much. I had other horrible habits too. I don't have this problem nearly as much. No one seems to understand it though. I've always been a really fast runner. I've taken dance classes since I was 3 or 4, and still do. I played soccer for years...
I need answers. Why do people use stereotypes.

Sorry, my thoughts get really "deep" at night & I need to talk to people about them. ha.

saragato

Stereotypes exist from actual truths. However they don't apply to everyone but it's much easier for people to understand something like obesity or even something as silly as why people dress the way they do than to try and break it down person by person. It doesn't help that there are people who happily reinforce the stereotypes, thus continuing their validity. Because really, are you going to go up to someone dressed, say, very provocatively and ask if they're a hooker or if they just like that look? Chances are you wouldn't. So people assume that person must be a hooker or is easy or even stupid and keep going.

For every person that tries to break out of the stereotype, there's 10 more that are embracing it.

Laura_Suzie

I really don't know either why people like to stereotype so much. I'm a dancer and a little chubby but I'm just as flexible as the 90 lb. girls in my classes. Some of the best dancers I know are overweight. Honestly I could be a lot more active and in shape though, but so can some skinny people I know. Skinny does not always equal healthy, so it's really dumb to assume overweight people are lazy, unhealthy slobs.

kdeaux1959

Stereotypes exist from actual truths. However they don't apply to everyone but it's much easier for people to understand something like obesity or even something as silly as why people dress the way they do than to try and break it down person by person. It doesn't help that there are people who happily reinforce the stereotypes, thus continuing their validity. Because really, are you going to go up to someone dressed, say, very provocatively and ask if they're a hooker or if they just like that look? Chances are you wouldn't. So people assume that person must be a hooker or is easy or even stupid and keep going.

For every person that tries to break out of the stereotype, there's 10 more that are embracing it.

This is great insight.