YOUPOST 2

Stereotypes about Americans

Every country in this world has its own stereotypes. Germans are punctual and Brazilians always late. People who reside in other countries than the United States have formed opinions about the Americans. Have you ever wondered what the world thinks about Americans? Here are two stereotypes about them. Americans are uneducated and violent. 

The first stereotype I would like to respond to is that Americans are uneducated. A few years ago, the European Journal of Communication surveyed people in the United states, Britain, Denmark and Finland about international affairs. Let's just say that Americans didn't fare as wells as Europeans when it came to world knowledge. This drawing shows the geographical knowledge of Americans about the rest of the world. Well I think this drawing shows how people from other countries think about the geographical knowledge of Americans. However, I think this stereotype is only that current because Americans are more interested in their own country. Most of the Americans never leave their country, that's why they're not that interested in other countries. Furthermore, the USA is the most powerful and important state in the world. Maybe this idea leads people to be only interested in itself.

The second stereotype is: Americans are violent. 
Almost everyday we hear about new violence in the United States. Gun rampage in a school, shooting in public places or a father who killed his whole 

family because of jealousy. In 2012, the Washington Post reported that the United States has more shooting deaths than anywhere else in the developed world. Americans are proud of their right to bear arms, however, it has caused plenty of devastation and destruction on American soil. Though plenty of Americans do not own guns and want tougher gun control laws enforced in their nation. We must keep in mind that America is a huge country with many different cultures compared to other countries in the world. 

All in all most of the stereotypes are based on the truth. They don't apply to individuals but rather to a group. In any case you shouldn't take them too seriously. You should rather get to know the country and its people on your own and afterwards you will see that not every stereotype applies to every person in this country.

1) http://www.iupui.edu/~anthkb/a104/international/worldofamerica.gif

2) http://www.transcend.org/tms/2012/11/the-united-states-of-america-a-culture-of-violence/