Day 3: Generalizations are ...

used so frequently that many do not even notice they are using generalizations.  For instance, think of how many times you or someone else has said "in general" during a conversation when referring to a certain subject.  "Men in general", "women in general".  You are taking one person or one example and tossing them in the pot with a hundred others just because of the sex, race, education or any other area.  Case in point:  My son is almost 18 months and it seems like he is entering the "terrible twos". Right there is a generalization - the terrible twos.  In the second year, children are learning to become autonomous and this means testing the boundaries to see what they can and cannot do.  This may result in frustration (for both parents and child!) and what happens? "Oh it's the terrible twos, they all go through it".  What if my child goes through this at the age of three? Would it still be the "terrible twos"?  

I do not think that generalizations are necessarily negative.  However, they can be construed in a negative way depending on the subject.  Thus, we must all try to be careful of using generalizations and how we use them.  In talking to a friend about generalizations, I like what she said:

"there is a reason people make generalizations too, because most the time they are true about that group of people but not fair to assume that everyone in that group will ALWAYS be that way"

So here's hoping that my child will not actually contribute towards the generalization of the "terrible twos" :)