Regarding the Korean wife-nanny illusion (Mumīs the word: assumptions about woman in BBC gatecrasher clip raise hard questions, 13 March), I fail to see where the evidence for prejudice (ie, an unreasonable assertion based not on evidence) is. We all make rapid pragmatic assessments (form `stereotypes`) about others - it is part of our evolutionary inheritance. Without this, it would be very difficult to navigate the social world. These assumptions are based upon, among other things, experience, ie to how many Korean maids as compared with Korean wives have we been exposed? They can, of course, as in this case, be proven to be incorrect and our assumptions are then open to revision.Professor Frederick ToatesMilton Keynes Related: If you saw a nanny in this BBC interview, what does that say about you? | Vera Chok Continue reading...
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