Journal+5-Response-Pd.1

Why do people tend to make fun of those who are in some way different? Do you believe this tendency is stronger in adults or children? Why?

I think that people tend to make fun of those who are in some way different because they think that different means weird. They feel that if somebody is not like them, then there is something wrong with them and they deserve to be made fun of. I believe that this tendency is stronger in children because children are less mature and will be more likely to make fun of other children that are different because they do not understand them. As they become adults, children learn that differences aren't neccesarily bad and learn to not make fun of these differences but accept them.

2. Imagine which kind of insult would provoke you the most. An insult about... Explain which insult is most offensive to you and why. An insult about a friend or family member would be most offensive to me along with an insult about my beliefs. This is because I care about my friends and family deeply and if somebody insulted them it would not be okay with me. I also would not like anybody insulting my beliefs because I feel that everybody should respect the different beliefs that everybody has.
 * your appearance or dress
 * your character or actions
 * a friend or family member
 * your beliefs

3. Give examples of prejudice (this can be a list). What are the most common types in your community? Your school? Explain why prejudice is destructive, perhaps citing specific examples you've heard of or witnessed. Have you ever experienced any sort of prejudice?

race, gender, clothing, appearance, culture, beliefs(religion), age

The most common types in the community and school would be appearances and clothing. Prejudice is destructive because it creates barriers between people before they even get a chance to get to know each other. It causes people to hate and judge when they have no right to. An example of prejudice that I've heard of is Miss Bortner's restaurant story which has prejudice and racism in it. I have experienced some prejudice in the form of stereotypes.