... perhaps in order to feel that they are at the controls of their own lives, that by assigning a 'known' name and a box to people, things and ideas, they are designing their own life for comfort. Secondly, that they are part of the same world as others - that they belong to and with those who use the same stereotypes and labels.
I disagree with stereotypes and labels, but I use them. It is a neccessary evil, to coexist in the world. Maybe becoming a hermit or taking a vow of silence would be the only ways to avoid them, but even then, thoughts would be aligned with pre-existing stereotypes.
Children do not naturally, inately have prejudices against others, so the only other escape I can imagine, is growing up with wild animals, so that these patterns are not learned in the first place.