Sexual objectification

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Even the term "sex object," coined by men (not women), displays the awareness that these images are not about women, but about objects.
 
Even the term "sex object," coined by men (not women), displays the awareness that these images are not about women, but about objects.
  
A precursor to the concept of sexual objectification can be found in the thought of [[Immanuel Kant]], who wrote that "sexual love makes of the loved person an Object of appetite; as soon as that appetite has been stilled, the person is cast aside as one casts away a lemon which has been sucked dry."<ref>[[Immanuel Kant]], ''Lectures on Ethics,'' Louis Infield (trans.), (Harper and Row, 1963), pp. 162 - 68.</ref>  But, to Kant, this kind of "objectification" only occurs outside the context of [[monogamy|monogamous]] [[marriage]], and appears as part of his argument against [[prostitution]] and [[adultery|concubinage]], and in favor of his predetermined position to support monogamous marriage. "Coverture", the mystic union of husband and wife, or something very much like that, is what makes legally enforced<ref>Kant defines marriage as "sexual union in accordance with law".</ref> monogamous marriage magic and keeps objectification at bay: "the two persons become a unity of will".
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A precursor to the concept of sexual objectification can be found in the thought of [[Immanuel Kant]], who wrote that "sexual love makes of the loved person an Object of appetite; as soon as that appetite has been stilled, the person is cast aside as one casts away a lemon which has been sucked dry."<ref>[[Immanuel Kant]], ''Lectures on Ethics,'' Louis Infield (trans.), (Harper and Row, 1963), pp. 162 - 68.</ref>  But, to Kant, this kind of "objectification" only occurs outside the context of [[monogamy|monogamous]] [[marriage]], and appears as part of his argument against [[prostitution]] and [[adultery|concubinage]], and in favor of his predetermined position to support monogamous marriage. "Coverture", the mystic union of husband and wife, or something very much like that, is what makes legally enforced<ref>Kant defines marriage as "sexual union in accordance with law".</ref> monogamous marriage magic and keeps objectification at bay: "the two persons become a unity of will". Kant's argument is ultimately founded on the idea that sex for the sake of pleasure alone is somehow inherently abusive; it resembles the [[Roman Catholic]] belief that sex using [[contraception]] is no more than "mutual [[masturbation]]".<ref name="cwest">{{cite book |year=2000 | author= Christopher West | title =Good News about Sex and Marriage: Answers to Your Honest Questions about Catholic Teaching | pages =88–91 | publisher =Servant Publications |isbn=1-56955-214-2}}</ref>
  
 
As [[feminism]] and feminist authors begin opening up discussions about women, about agency, and overall [[equality]], the issue of objectification became a serious topic for [[academic]]s.  De Beauvoir's groundbreaking work, ''Second Sex'' is in no small part, predicated upon the idea that women are mere objects for men's manipluation and not, themselves, agents in the world - even if they are in their own life.
 
As [[feminism]] and feminist authors begin opening up discussions about women, about agency, and overall [[equality]], the issue of objectification became a serious topic for [[academic]]s.  De Beauvoir's groundbreaking work, ''Second Sex'' is in no small part, predicated upon the idea that women are mere objects for men's manipluation and not, themselves, agents in the world - even if they are in their own life.

Revision as of 05:08, 27 December 2013

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Sexuality

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Objectification is a term to describe seeing human beings as objects. Representations show people, not as individuals, but as things to be owned, sold, used, etc.

Sexual objectification is the objectification of persons generally based on their sexual attributes. Women are far more likely than men to be objectified and judged by a perceived sexual attractiveness rather than values such as intellectual ability. Sexual objectification of women is found in media, in advertising, and not surprisingly, even in news.

Legs and vodka, ya?

A classic example is the marketing of alcohol to men, often showing only select bodily features - a non-person. Another classical example is the endless characters in TV or movies who have no name (other than a first name, or "babe"), no background character, no lines to say who they are, and why they are on the screen - they exist merely for the pleasure of the male character, or to provide some plot point to demonstrate that the male character is strong, kind, sexual, and heroic.

The objectification of women goes hand in hand with the overall male gaze found in media, news, and general culture.

Contents

History

Objectification of women has existed for as long as women have been used for men's sexual pleasure - at their own expense.[1] Early examples of the sexual objectification of women include strip tease shows, brothels and pornographic art. Prostitution itself is almost always a way of objectifying the prostitute, especially if she is a sexual slave, or is being pimped out.

Even the term "sex object," coined by men (not women), displays the awareness that these images are not about women, but about objects.

A precursor to the concept of sexual objectification can be found in the thought of Immanuel Kant, who wrote that "sexual love makes of the loved person an Object of appetite; as soon as that appetite has been stilled, the person is cast aside as one casts away a lemon which has been sucked dry."[2] But, to Kant, this kind of "objectification" only occurs outside the context of monogamous marriage, and appears as part of his argument against prostitution and concubinage, and in favor of his predetermined position to support monogamous marriage. "Coverture", the mystic union of husband and wife, or something very much like that, is what makes legally enforced[3] monogamous marriage magic and keeps objectification at bay: "the two persons become a unity of will". Kant's argument is ultimately founded on the idea that sex for the sake of pleasure alone is somehow inherently abusive; it resembles the Roman Catholic belief that sex using contraception is no more than "mutual masturbation".[4]

As feminism and feminist authors begin opening up discussions about women, about agency, and overall equality, the issue of objectification became a serious topic for academics. De Beauvoir's groundbreaking work, Second Sex is in no small part, predicated upon the idea that women are mere objects for men's manipluation and not, themselves, agents in the world - even if they are in their own life.

Academic description

According to philosopher Martha Nussbaum, sexual objectification of women positions them in relation to men:

  • as a tool for another's purposes (instrumentality);
  • as if lacking in agency or self-determination (denial of autonomy, inertness);
  • as if owned by another (ownership);
  • as if interchangeable (fungibility);
  • as if permissible to damage or destroy (violability);
  • as if there is no need for concern for their feelings and experiences (denial of subjectivity)[5]

Catharine MacKinnon relates sexual objectification to the Marxist idea of 'alienation': "Objectification in Marxist materialism is thought to be the foundation of human freedom, the work process whereby a subject becomes embodied in objects and relationships. Alienation is the socially contingent distortion of that process, a reification of products and relations which prevents them from being, and being seen as, dependent on human agency. But from the point of view of the object, objectification is alienation."[6]

Objectification of women involves the act of disregarding the personal and intellectual abilities and capabilities of a female; and reducing a woman's worth or role in society to that of an instrument for the sexual pleasure that she can produce in the mind of another. This is ubiquitous in culture, permeating advertising and popular entertainments, as well as of course being present in porn. Objectification contributes to women's body image, and all the issues therein. It also is a large part of the problem with rape culture, and why it is so hard to see rape culture in society. In general, there is significant adverse effects on women who are alleged to be surrounded by dehumanizing propaganda.[7]

Objectifying others

Are women the only victims of objectification? Of course not. Sex sells, and there are plenty of examples of images of men in calendars, there only to satisfy some woman (or man's) fantasy. There are even ads specifically designed to flip the "male gaze" on its head and objectify men. These ads, of course, are largely tongue in cheek, and are often done fully aware of the objectification - intending, successfully or not, to highlight the absurdity of ads for men that do the same to women. And even in instances of male objectification, there is still an awareness of the man. Rarely is his face removed, rarely is he shot from the back showing only his butt or his chest.

External links

References

  1. Where women are fully part of the sexual encounter, active and agent in the encounter, they are not being used, and are not mere objects, even, ironically, in submissive role playing where they desired intent is to be an object.
  2. Immanuel Kant, Lectures on Ethics, Louis Infield (trans.), (Harper and Row, 1963), pp. 162 - 68.
  3. Kant defines marriage as "sexual union in accordance with law".
  4. Christopher West (2000). Good News about Sex and Marriage: Answers to Your Honest Questions about Catholic Teaching. Servant Publications. pp. 88–91. ISBN 1-56955-214-2. 
  5. Martha C. Nussbaum, “Objectification”, Philosophy and Public Affairs, v. 24 no. 4 (1995), pp. 279–83.
  6. Catherine MacKinnon, "Feminism, Marxism, Method, and the State," in Feminism and Sexuality: A Reader, Stevi Jackson and Sue Scott, eds., (Columbia, 1996; ISBN 0231107080), p. 187
  7. Janet Lee, "Menarche and the (hetero)sexualization of the female body," Gender & Society, v.8 no. 3 (1994), pp. 343–362.
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