Stereotyping Societal Values

With all the social media networks hype, opinions by certain segments of society should be examined. Example of what happened lately while at the YMYWCA where I am a long-time member and work out in the swimming pool daily. The other day while talking with a friend quietly and privately about a specific issue, including a remark on Face Book. A young woman in the locker room had been honing in on our private conversation, and suddenly – out of nowhere – proclaimed “Face Book should only be for young people”. Where is that coming from ? Oh, I see, “being on FACEBOOK means must have a YOUNG FACE”. Is that the reason why all those who have been on Facebook a long time and are getting older, still keep their younger looking photos on it ?  So, there you have it: “Face Book is only for YOUNG people”!

Does that also mean, that the YWCA is only for old people ? Sometimes I wonder how people like that can exist in a world of a multitude of online media networking and the many social activities that are both enjoyed by old people, young people, any people anywhere in the world.

Stereotyping is the most questionable side of societal values.

Whether it be government regulations that require inputs or opinions by the public at large, or private institutions or commercial agencies and companies, any such questionnaire-type information gathering inevitably always assumes that each person only exists in a family group, meaning that there are at least two that constitute a social unit.

In fact, this stereotype assumption turns out to become very costly for single people. Best example can be found in the travel industry. Examples: Planning a cruise, prices per cabin are always quoted assuming that there are two per cabin. [Of course, several cruise hip companies have already started those so called “solo cabins”. Which in reality are not any cheaper than paying almost double for it.]. Bookings for rooms, suites or other, prices always assume at least two persons. Unlike a flight, at least price is always for one person, one seat. Luckily !

Well, doesn’t matter to me, I book a nice cabin all for myself, have lots of space and pay more. Better than being cramped into one with someone else and maybe some children, too.

What I am saying really is, get society to adjust to the fact, that there are more single people than you think there are. Adjust your thinking !