America

The other category is made of smaller stereotypes.

The main association/stereotype made about America is the idea of freedom. Whether that freedom is through laws or behavior the concept is positive. The reason why this stereotype is positive is because it shows that people are beginning to recognize that America’s government and lifestyle is more fair that some repressive governments. The Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Star Spangled Banner are some of the concrete examples that people often think of when the word freedom is mentioned. However, with America being known as the “land of the free” people often create negative thoughts and ideas because they feel they have the right to which can lead to the formation of stereotypes especially negative ones.

The biggest stereotype of America is that everyone is fat. Statistics show that in 2010, sixty-six percent of Americans were considered overweight and thirty percent of people of that sixty-six percent were classified as obese. It is scary to realize that there is only small percentage of people who make healthy choices in their lifestyle. However the positive side to this is that in 2011, data shows that for the first time in awhile there were more normal weight people than overweight. This is a positive trend that if continued can hopefully stop the spread of negative thoughts and stereotypes of not only America but other nations as well.

~ Elizabeth