Name: Mark John B.

Alburo Score: _______________

Year/Course: 2nd Year/BSIT Date: May 25, 2021

Activity 2: Recognizing a Stereotype

A stereotype is “...a fixed, over generalized belief about a particular group or class of
people” (Cardwell, 1996). An advantage of a stereotype is that it enables us to respond rapidly
to situations because we may have had a similar experience before. The disadvantage, on the
other hand, is that it makes us ignore differences between individuals; therefore, we think
things about people that might not be true and make generalizations.
For example: “Men are strong and do all the work.” “Women aren't as smart as a man.”

1. Read Rizal’s letter “To the Young Women of Malolos” again.

2. Select three stereotypes stated by Rizal in the essay.
3. Explain why it becomes a stereotype.

Stereotype: Filipino mothers' responsibilities and duties to their children.

Explanation: Mothers have obligations and duties to their children. And what Rizal sees in this
stereotype is that Filipino mothers have duties and obligations as mothers to provide adequate care for
their children and demonstrate maternal qualities. Mothers aren't perfect; they make mistakes, and they
don't always need to have those characteristics to be a successful role model for their children. However, I
must point out that Rizal claimed this stereotype when defining the characteristics of a mother at the
time.

Stereotype: Filipino mothers must possess certain characteristics.

Explanation: Rizal is concerned about the well-being of Filipino children and the environments in which
they grow up. Rizal lists the attributes that Filipino mothers must exhibit, including being a noble wife,
rearing her children in the service of the state (to which Rizal refers to the Spartan women who exemplify
this character), and setting norms of behavior for those around her.

Stereotype: A wife's responsibilities and duties to her husband.

Explanation: Filipino women are known for their submissiveness, tenderness, and love. Rizal describes
how Filipino women should behave as wives in this section of his letter in order to preserve the race's
identity. And, according to Rizal's advice to unmarried men and women, a young woman should look for
three things in a man she intends to marry: a noble and honored name, a manly heart, and a high spirit
incapable of being satisfied with engendering slaves.