ADOLESCENCE: A STUDY OF STEREOTYPING.

The purpose of this paper is to consider stereotyping procedures in relation to another substantive area: that of adolescence. The main conclusions which can be drawn from empirical studies of racial stereotypes is that stereotypes have a considerable ability to resist change and to remain unaffected by new information. There can be little doubt as to the tenacity of racial stereotypes. However to argue that they are never subject to change in any degree is to misunderstand the import of empirical findings. The definition of adolescence cannot be divorced from those of childhood and adulthood. People process through each status over time. Since the procession is a temporal one there tends to be an association between each status and a particular age-range. In societies with instituted rites de passage the relationship between age and status is formally defined. The status of adolescence has important implications for the kinds of roles which are appropriate for actors. Adult status is characterized by the adoption of responsible roles. On the other band both children and adolescents are expected to play roles which are not responsible. However the status of children is such that they are not expected to play adult roles at all.