2. Social Class-Based Stereotypes

We often hear comments or jokes about people being “too rich” or “too poor,” or about the kind of jobs their parents do. These ideas are part of something called social class-based stereotypes. 

Stereotypes are fixed ideas, images, or exaggerated beliefs that many people have of a particular group of people or things. Very often this is not true for the entire group and may cause hurt and offence1. 

To know more watch this video

There are many stereotypes about people from lower socioeconomic communities. While some of these ideas may be true for a few individuals, they are not true for everyone. Common class-based stereotypes include:3

While stereotypes are true about a sample of people from a given group, they are most certainly not true about the entire group. There are many people and communities who have challenged these class based stereotypes and proved them wrong.  To learn more, see the stories below: 

1. Gulafsha Ansari is a young girl from Dharavi who shattered class, gender, and religious stereotypes all at once because of her determination. 

Watch her story here:

Vid 2.2: Goals from mumbai's slums to FIFA

2. Prathamesh Hirve grew up in the slums of Powai (Mumbai) and studied in a local language school till grade 10. He worked hard not just to go to an engineering college but also to learn English. Prathamesh became the first person from Mumbai to be hired by ISRO. 

Watch his story here: 

Vid 2.3: The story of Mumbai’s ISRO engineers 

3. Unbeatable is a dance troupe from the slums of Dharavi. They are a group of young and talented dancers who won the international competition called ‘America’s Got Talent.’ 

Watch one of their most notable performances here:

Vid 2.4: The unbeatable golden buzzer