Dangers and Consequences of Stereotyping Labels can be very harmful. A big problem with labelling, and stereotypes is that they can be incorrect. Anytime someone groups individuals or races together, and makes an assumption about them without knowing them, is a form of stereotyping. In Padma Venkatraman’s Climbing the Stairs, the author shows moments where class, race, and gender stereotyping are present. Stereotypes are very dangerous things because they remove the true identity of people, and there are many complications that come with that. Classism is treatment based on social class or perceived social class. In the book, Padma shows how one may think their social caste level is better than another. Some say that Brahmins are more valuable to society than the lower caste levels such as Vaishya or Sudra. “‘Brahmins …show more content…
Sexism can affect anyone, but primarily affects women. In this novel, sexism towards the females of the household is strongly displayed on a day to day basis. This book shows how the women of the house have to be kept on a separate floor, and only see the men at mealtimes. The women are strictly prohibited from going upstairs. The women literally work for the men. “The men always ate first in this house, and the women served them. On normal days, it was only during mealtimes that the genders met.” (Venkatraman, 71). This is explaining how the women in the house always have to fall in place after the men. As well, the women are less than men. “‘Allow me to study?’ I hissed. ‘That’s the problem, can’t you see? Who are you to give me permission to study? Who are you to let me do what I want?’” (Venkatraman, 218). This shows that the women have to practically ask for permission to do as they please as if the men are their “masters”. Sexism has been linked to stereotypes, and gender roles, and may also give off the notion that one gender is essentially superior to