Practice Paragraph

Topic: How does the stereotype below demonstrate ethnocentrism? To help you brainstorm: What is ethnocentrism? Is it good or bad for society? How might this Stereotype be good or bad?
Case: Latino families have too many children.
Myers defined ethnocentrism as a belief in the superiority of one’s own group and a corresponding disdain for all other groups (p. 516 qtd in Raden, 2003). Often, ethnocentrism has a negative connotation because it seen as a group-analogue to personal centeredness (narcissm) (Bizumic and Duckitt, 2008). In general, it is not good for society because it consign other people’s origin, background and ethnicity as inferior to compared one’s self.
Ethnocentrism is considered to be the foundation or bedrock of prejudice and bigotry in society. The classic example we can glean from ethnocentrism is Hitler’s idea of the superiority of the Aryan race as enforced by his Nazis. Africa’s Apartheid is also a classic case of ethnocentrism. On a personal level, it is not good because it makes one feel superior over the others which can affect its personal relationship with other people. Discrimination exists because of ethnocentrism. If fuels hatred and isolate other people in the process of assertion of another to become superior.
The idea that Latino families have too many children supports the ethnocentric idea of a Latino male’s stereotype of male dominance and promiscuity as evidence by the number of his progeny. It purports the stereotype idea that a Latino male is an irresistible lover that relegates women to be his conquest. It subscribes to the typical male machismo and undermines the women’s endeavor to have an equal place in society and familial society. This idea also promotes the idea of being irresponsible, having too many children beyond a person’s capacity to support.
Raden, David (2003).Ingroup Bias, Classic Ethnocentrism, and Non-Ethnocentrism Among American Whites. Political Psychology, Vol. 24 Issue 4, p803, 26p.
Bizumic, Boris. Duckitt, John (2008). My Group Is Not Worthy of Me: Narcissism and Ethnocentrism. Political Psychology, Jun2008, Vol. 29 Issue 3, p437-453, 17p