Society: Breaking the Stereotypes

It’s important that we move past the stereotypes. Instead of assuming, let’s pause, observe, and accept. Let’s respect the small things that make each of us unique.

By Mehwish

Very recently, as I was sitting with my husband and enjoying a cup of coffee, I had a small but meaningful realization. I was sipping on milk coffee with sugar, while he preferred his black—no milk, no sugar. At first, it just felt like a simple difference in taste, but then I noticed something else.

My coffee cup was plain and simple, a single soft color. His, on the other hand, was bright and colorful, decorated with patterns and vibrant shades. If someone saw a picture of just the cups, they might naturally assume the colorful one belonged to me and the plain one to him. But in our case, it was the opposite.

This small moment made me think about how easily society labels us based on appearances or preferences. There’s this common belief that women are drawn to colorful, flowery, decorative things, while men are expected to prefer simple, no-fuss designs. But is that really true? In real life, these lines blur. Women can love simplicity, calmness, and plain colors. And men can absolutely enjoy things that are vibrant, artistic, or even cute.

We’re all individuals, with different personalities and preferences. What we like isn’t always about our gender—it’s about who we are as people. And yet, society still tends to judge or make assumptions. If someone likes something “unusual” for their gender, it becomes a topic of surprise or even criticism.

So here’s what I believe: our choices don’t define our gender-they define our individuality. It’s important that we move past these stereotypes. Instead of assuming, let’s pause, observe, and accept. Let’s respect the small things that make each of us unique whether it’s our taste in coffee, our style, or the kind of cup we choose to drink from.

Conclusion

Sometimes, the smallest moments reveal the biggest truths-reminding us to value individuality over assumptions and to see people for who they truly are.

Read: Longing for a cup of coffee – A Short Story

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Mehwish is a student of BS English at Isra University, Hyderabad. As an English literature student, she has have a deep interest in reading, exploring ideas, and expressing myself through writing.