If you never went to school, and you knew you were smart, other people (say, potential employers) might be of a certain opinion of you, and that'll impact how you'll be able to interact with them, and that'll affect you in a real way (for example, not being able to get a job). In a similar way, how society interprets stuttering is absolutely relevant to how we live, even if they're wrong. We can't just pretend the harmful stereotype doesn't exist when it defines how others view our place in the world, because how others view our place in the world can directly impact our place in the world. In my first comment, I was simply stating this to be true on an emotional level - if people interpret you in a certain way that taints their respect for you (among other things), it can be harmful to self-confidence whether or not their idea of what you are is correct. Sorry if that seemed a little aggressive - a lot of the problems I face, whether from my stuttering, my anxiety, or even my depression, are shrugged off by others with a, "But it doesn't matter what others think!" which I think is complete bullshit. Of course it matters what others think. Everyone's identity is shaped by the opinions of others from a very young age. That's what makes us social organisms.