Mikaela Burke
HUM 3321-17
Ashley Kew
December 8, 2012
Stereotypes: An Analysis of Race and Gender
The action of stereotyping is much more common in everyday life than society may
realize. The medium of film is a strong contributor to the perpetuation of these misconceptions
because of its strong circulation to large groups of people. Through film especially, stereotypes
are becoming firmly ingrained in American society. As long as films that reinforce stereotypes
are being produced, these common misconceptions will continue to be strongly present in the
thoughts of future generations. In the two films Mean Girls (2004) and Role Models (2008),
common stereotypes in relation to race and gender are prominently seen in the personalities of
the characters and their actions. Stereotypes such as the single African American mother, the
young bachelor that fears commitment, and the shallow teenage girl are a few examples that are
especially prominent in everyday society.
Popular misconceptions with regard to race are shown throughout both of these films. In
the movie Role Models, this stereotype can be seen in the character Ronnie (Bobb’e J.
Thompson) and his single mother (Nicole Randall Johnson). Together they represent the African
American family that is dysfunctional and struggling. Ronnie’s father has never been in the
picture, forcing Ronnie’s mother to raise him singlehandedly. This situation embodies multiple
common stereotypes about African Americans: a single mother, an absent father, and unruly
children as a result. Ronnie’s mother is the stereotypical strong, independent, and fierce African
American woman. Despite his mother’s strength in raising him, Ronnie is mischievous, rude, and
extremely inappropriate for his age. It can be deduced that Ronnie’s offensive and obnoxious
personality has a direct correlation to his upbringing that lacked a father figure and, most of all,
his race. Ronnie as a character is a representation of the view in society that African American
children, boys and young men especially, are troublemakers who are not to be trusted as they
will inevitably become thugs. This is extremely far from the truth, but African American boys
are extremely disadvantaged due to generalizations like these. Additionally, the fact that King
Argotron (Ken Jeong) is Asian reinforces a stereotype. Asians are stereotypically intelligent
nerds. Argotron’s obsession with the game of L.A.I.R.E. is a perfect example of this
misconception in action. As Judith Andre states in her article “Stereotypes: Conceptual and
Normative Considerations”, these stereotypes are “simple and general” and they only take race
into account while disregarding other factors (Andre 79).
In the movie Mean Girls, stereotypes like these are also reproduced. In the beginning
scenes, the misconception that all individuals from Africa have dark skin is presented. As Cady
(Lindsay Lohan) introduces herself to the “Plastics” and tells them that she is from Africa, Karen
(Amanda Seyfried) immediately asks Cady why she is white. This reinforces the common
stereotype that all of the inhabitants of Africa are dark-skinned people who continue to live in
tribes. Stereotypes in relation to races other than Africans are also shown. In the cafeteria scene
in particular, Janis (Lizzy Caplan) categorizes a few cliques solely by their race. A few examples
would be the “Cool Asians”, “Asian Nerds”, and the “Unfriendly Black Hotties”. The
“Unfriendly Black Hotties” fit the misconception that African American women always have an
attitude. When Cady first approaches them, they immediately give her the typical dirty look that
would be expected from an intimidating African American woman. The “Asian Nerds” are a
typical stereotype of Asians. They are exceptionally intelligent and enjoy discussing academics
and participating in clubs relating to their studies. For example, many of them are in a club called
the “Mathletes” and they enthusiastically participate in math competitions rather than having a
mainstream social life. In the film, Damian (Daniel Franzese) even warns Cady about the social
repercussions of joining the Mathletes. The “Asian Nerds” reinforce the stereotypical unpopular,
unattractive ethnic boy that is more committed to math and science than anything else. In
contrast to these “Asian Nerds”, Aaron Samuels (Jonathan Bennett) is the typical athletic, goodlooking, popular white male. While being all this, he also does well in school. In reference to
Judith Andre’s article again, Aaron represents the hegemonic white male in society “from whom
women and other races deviate”. He is considered a “standard human being” (Andre 78).
Gender misconceptions are also referenced frequently throughout each of the films. In
Role Models, male and female characters are strongly stereotyped. Although he changes
throughout the film, the character Wheeler (Seann William Scott) is at first a bachelor who has
no regard for anyone other than himself. He is the typical player: irresponsible, a womanizer,
self-serving, and unambitious. Yet, because of his absent father he is able to relate well to
Ronnie. Wheeler’s friend Danny (Paul Rudd), however, represents a different male stereotype.
He is in a long-term relationship, yet he is still afraid to commit. His girlfriend Beth (Elizabeth
Banks) is a strong, independent woman with a successful career, and this is a significant threat to
his masculinity. Both of these male stereotypes are constantly present in society as they are
reproduced through several different mediums. Female gender generalizations are also present;
they are especially seen in Ronnie’s mother. Ronnie’s mother (Nicole Randall Johnson) is
stereotypical in regard to her race and her gender. African American woman are nearly always
portrayed as having strength and independence. They are also often shown to be intimidating,
which Wheeler experiences first hand upon being introduced to Ronnie. In addition to Ronnie’s
mother, the character Esplen (Alexandra Stamler) defies the stereotype that females do not have
the ability to outsmart males and defeat them during the final battle of L.A.I.R.E. All of the
players are shocked when she becomes Queen because they would never think that a girl could
be the last one standing in a battle that involves men. Because Esplen is female, she was never
seen as a threat to any male. Although this stereotype has been disproven over and over again, it
remains firmly fixed. It is “inflexible” and is continually taken as truth in order to avoid
disrupting the male hegemony that has existed in society for so long (Andre 80).
In Mean Girls, gender is also strongly defined by stereotypes. Through its title alone, the
film points out the assumption that teenage girls are mean in general and that this behavior is to
be expected. The members of the “Plastics” are typical dramatic, malicious, and self-absorbed
teenage girls. They are constantly focused on their self-image, obsessing over their own flaws
and insecurities while pointing out those of other girls. These factors are characteristic of the
female stereotype in society: all females, especially teenage girls, enjoy gossiping and obsess
over their self-image. This is “oversimplifies” a large group of individuals and reduces them all
to exhibiting a certain set of behaviors despite their diversity (Andre 79). A few of these
generalizations about the teenage girl become even more specific. For example, Karen
completely embodies the “dumb blonde” stereotype in particular. Her voice, actions, clothing,
and overall attitude align with the blonde girl that is almost completely devoid of intelligence.
Karen is oblivious the majority of the time, and none of the other characters take her seriously.
Due to stereotypical blondes like these, individuals in society often view the majority of
everyday blondes as having these traits, which is another “oversimplification” of a large
population (Andre 79). This leads society to judge this group prior to knowing any of them as
individuals (Andre 80). However, a few of the characters break stereotypes in the film. Cady is
one of the few because she is a pretty girl who happens to be exceptional at math. All of the
other pretty girls in the film are shallow and focused on anything but their schoolwork, so Cady
stands out. She is encouraged to join the Mathletes because of her math skills and her gender.
The team will be able to get more funding if they have a female member because the entire team
consists of boys. Despite the fact that she is one of many exceptions to the stereotype that men
are ultimately more intelligent than females, the generalizations will continue because “thinking
is work” and society is reluctant to alter its norms (Andre 78).
The common assumptions based on race and gender that are illustrated throughout the
films Role Models and Mean Girls exemplify Judith Andre’s argument. Individuals to whom
these stereotypes apply can be greatly disadvantaged due to the fact that others judge them
before they are even acquainted with them. Individuals in society prefer to agree with the
majority rather than form their own thoughts simply because joining the majority is easier
(Andre 78). The majority of the public may not have even acknowledged these stereotypes due to
their prominence in everyday life. They are so common that they are now easily overlooked. In
order for these stereotypes to end, the media must stop acknowledging them at all. Without them
being reinforced constantly, individuals may finally realize that stereotyping is wrong and
harmful to society as a whole (Andre 79). A society that is completely free from stereotypes will
give everyone in it an equal opportunity to succeed, without any unjust obstacles to prevent them
from doing so (Andre 80).
Works Cited
Andre, Judith. “Stereotypes: Conceptual and Normative Considerations.” Multicultural Film, An
Anthology. Eds. Kathryn Karrh Cashin and Lauren C. Martilli. Boston: Pearson Learning
Solutions, Fall 2012. 77-81. Print.
Mean Girls. Dir. Mark Waters. Perf. Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and Tina Fey.
Paramount Pictures, 2004. Film.
Role Models. Dir. David Wain. Perf. Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Bobb’e J. Thompson, and
Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Universal Pictures, 2008. Film.