The term stereotype derives from the Greek adjective στερεος and the noun τυπος which together meant hard impression, used, in the late eighteenth century, in its compound form for the first time in French, stéréotype,by a printer named Firmin Didot to define his printing method.
In Italian, the word stereotype, can have different meanings due to its use in different fields, such as psychology or sociology, but the prevailing definition is: preconstituted opinion about people or groups, which is independent of the evaluation of the individual case and is the result of an antecedent process of hypergeneralization and hypersimplification (Treccani, Encyclopedia, Stereotype).
In recent years, it has been noticed and ascertained that even within the world of medicine, stereotypes are present and as impactful as in other fields or social contexts.
For example, it is a common notion that women are necessarily expected to occupy caring roles as well in work as in family life, where they are expected to take on domestic responsibilities and care for their loved ones, which can limit their opportunities for career and personal development.
They are also perceived, often, through a lens of vulnerability and fragility, such that women are assumed to be more emotional and prone to psychological conditions such as anxiety or depression. In a care setting, they may find themselves having to justify their experiences, while health professionals may tend to interpret their complaints as overreacting or hypersensitivity.
Men, on the other hand, are often pressured to conform to ideals of masculinity that detach them from emotion and vulnerability, making it difficult for them to express their feelings. This can lead to a work environment in which they feel compelled to constantly demonstrate their competence, at the expense of a more collaborative and humane approach.
They are often viewed through the lens of strength and self-sufficiency so on the surface they maintain the image of being more resilient and less likely to seek help for health problems, a behavior that can be attributed to ideals of traditional masculinity.
In addition to gender, stereotypes also affect certain age groups. Older people may be seen as frail and incapable, while younger people may be perceived as less deserving of attention because of the mistaken assumption that they can handle their own problems on their own.
What functions does stereotyping have at the individual and societal levels?
At the individual level, they can help individuals simplify the complexity of the world. With the help of some quick categorizations.
Or they provide expectations of how people in a certain group will behave. This can help individuals navigate social interactions, even if it sometimes leads to misjudgments.
However, they also have the ability to influence the construction of personal identity, self-efficacy and self-perception. For example, people may limit their aspirations or opportunities because of negative stereotypes associated with their group.
At the societal level, they may justify and maintain existing power structures and help define cultural norms. Or they may fuel prejudice and discriminatory behavior toward a particular category.
This might confuse them with categorical labels, however, the two terms frame two different concepts; while stereotypes are generalized beliefs that include emotional evaluations and influence behavior, categorical labels are more neutral classifications used to describe the characteristics of an individual or group.
To overcome these stereotypes, it is critical to promote a more balanced and inclusive narrative that values the skills and experiences of all health professionals, regardless of gender. This includes increased representation of men and women in leadership roles, celebration of stories that show the contributions of all genders, and inclusion of a variety of experiences within professional narratives.
https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/stereotipo/, Treccani, Encyclopedia, Stereotype.