The Game of Life (Assignment 3-3, Stereotypes)

                When thinking of my favorite game, I go back to the game of Life.  Life is a simple board game that I played over and over again with my mom, cousins, and friends, I even still have a copy in my home just in case.  To me this game was a chance to have fun, and pretend to be someone different for just a little while.  I got to be the millionaire, the mom, the police officer, and the banker in charge of all the money.  This game meant that I got to be grown up for awhile and imagine what life could have in store for me.  It was a fun yet harmless competition that I could have with someone else, and learn a few of life’s lessons along the way.

                Life, however, is a game full of stereotypes about society and the people who live within it.  Explicitly, the game puts you on life’s path and sends you in the proper direction while really only giving you one choice.  In the beginning you get to choose for yourself whether you would like to go to college or not, but silently only lets you pick certain careers while keeping some for only the college grads along with the level of salary that you are allowed earn.  Next it sends you through the turmoil and fun of being a young adult followed by a quick dash to life’s next big step, getting married.  Life then sends you on your way and tells you next that after marriage is buying a house together.  Secretly it keeps you wishing that you get the big house, and not the one that is shoddy and looks in despair.  Then through the journey of adulthood, everywhere you go so does your husband or wife, and if you’re lucky you will get to have a few children along the way, more fate than choice.  You get the special tiles for doing big life altering things like writing a novel, becoming famous, or anything that is within the public eye.  It tells you the only way to win at Life is to have the most money at retirement and reside in style at the upscale resort that isn’t for those who weren’t able to save as much money. 

               The forces behind the stereotypes comes from a mix of social, religious, cultural, and economic stereotyping.  It stems from the beliefs that people should be married and stable before having children, purchasing houses, and retiring.  There is a stigma attached to those who go outside the beaten path and the judgments imposed are those based on our own societal, religious, or cultural upbringing and beliefs.  These stereotypes come from peer and family pressure in that we don't want to dissapoint those we love.  They stem from our want to fit in with society and and be a part of something we believe to be bigger or better.

               Holding on to these stereotypes can be harmful, however, if we do not allow ourselves to live with an open mind.  Stereotypes can teach an important set of morals, values, and acceptable behavior, but can hinder creativity and the chance to explore all that they can be in life.  While the game of Life is fun, exciting, and a gives many options for exploring our own futures as a kid, it can be pressuring children to have a certain mindset before they are mature enough to make their own decisions.