Women as Sexual Objects and Victims
On average across magazines, one of two advertisements that featured women portrayed them as sex objects. The sexual victimization of women use to be only in pornography, but it has now found expression not only in films and television shows, but in advertising as well. The exposure of women’s bodies occurred about four times as often compared to the exposure of men's bodies in magazines. Women who are sexualized are more likely to appear as purely decorative objects in men’s magazines compared to women’s magazines. The term “sex sells” has begun to cross the boundaries to where we are seeing sex influence on every product that we are purchasing from alcohol, beauty supplies, groceries and even banking services.
Why?
Women are moving their way up in society. Women have earned advanced degrees and have infiltrated careers traditionally dominated by men, because of this society has demanded that women become servants to popular images of beauty and sexuality. There is criticism against women’s increasing power in society that may serve as an explanation for the sexualization of women in advertisements. Feminist writers Faludi (1991) and Wolf (1991) have argued that there is a substantial amount of hostility toward women in American culture. This is because the women have elevated their position within society’s power hierarchy. Increasing the possibilities of equality for women have been met with oppositional reactions intended to maintain men’s dominance. The widespread of media images of highly sexualized women, is hypothesized to maintain men’s dominance by designating women’s bodies as property that can be evaluated, looked at, and touched at the impulse of men’s desire.
Why?
Women are moving their way up in society. Women have earned advanced degrees and have infiltrated careers traditionally dominated by men, because of this society has demanded that women become servants to popular images of beauty and sexuality. There is criticism against women’s increasing power in society that may serve as an explanation for the sexualization of women in advertisements. Feminist writers Faludi (1991) and Wolf (1991) have argued that there is a substantial amount of hostility toward women in American culture. This is because the women have elevated their position within society’s power hierarchy. Increasing the possibilities of equality for women have been met with oppositional reactions intended to maintain men’s dominance. The widespread of media images of highly sexualized women, is hypothesized to maintain men’s dominance by designating women’s bodies as property that can be evaluated, looked at, and touched at the impulse of men’s desire.
Negatives of Showing Women as Sexual Objects
Magazines tend to send mix messages about gender ideals as well as body image, which affect the way women view themselves. Many magazine articles are targeted towards younger women who often emphasize the importance of looking sexy, acting sexy and attracting sexy men. Even though the magazine portrays both men and women; there are very specific ways focused on both gender and the specific ideals of what that gender should portray. Most women in magazines are shown as beautiful, thin and sexually skilled. Sexually explicit programming and advertising is devastating to the self-esteem, this creates unrealistic expectations of gender portrayal, such as being thin, beautiful and having designer clothes, make-up and accessories.
The sexualization of women is related to the development of eating disorders, low self-esteem, depression, and negative feelings regarding sexuality.
When men view images of sexually objectified women, it has been shown to increase men’s acceptance of rape myths, interpersonal violence, and gender role stereotyping (Stankiewicz, J., & Rosselli, F).
The sexualization of women is related to the development of eating disorders, low self-esteem, depression, and negative feelings regarding sexuality.
When men view images of sexually objectified women, it has been shown to increase men’s acceptance of rape myths, interpersonal violence, and gender role stereotyping (Stankiewicz, J., & Rosselli, F).