How is the Media responsible for Female Sexual Objectification?

Question

I have my own opinions on this, but I'd really like to hear how you all feel.

How much does the Media add to women being seen as s*x objects?

How much do the women who work in the Media allow their own selves to be objectified?

Answer 1

The media is a player in the roles played by women. The old saying, "s*x sells" is as true now as it has been for years. It is likely not to change either. I think that if a woman doesn't want to be seen exclusively as a s*x object that she should become educated and attain a skill that is not based on her gender.

The glass ceiling still exists and some may be saying that that is why Hillary Clinton didn't win the 1st position as the Democratic candidate for the Presidency.

That contentious issue is neither here nor there. I don't want to conjecture on that, but there were other matters beyond either Barak or Hillary's control.

Answer 2

The media has an impact on everything, including the changing of  stereotypes about women by having news stories and films about real remarkable women.

Besides, I know lots of guys like me, who only fantasize about s*x with attractive women. Women who are not attractive,like the dangerous Condoleeza Rice, make me want to look under my bed for hidden microphones.

Besides, women in the USA are more protected by law than they have ever been, despite the exploitation of s**y dancers. In Islam women are possessions, but they don't (well, they're not supposed to) wear revealing clothing of any type.

It's not the clothing that matters, it's the mind set.

In addition, the fashion industry turns women into objects of fashion. How is this any worse than fantasizing about them as sexual partners?

Answer 3

Here in Mexico the women are doing the weather in halter tops and mini skirts. I know the stations make them dress like this to get "viewers". If your not big boobed and bootied you don't get on T.V.

In the US I think women in the news and daytime shows are more conservative, BUT in Hollywood it's totally different. You see all these party girls showing their tacos to the paparazzi every time they step out of a SUV. All the sudden a s*x tape comes out. They put that on themselves then you see these tweenies walking around the mall wanting to be like them.

Answer 4

As a black/Ethiopian woman who has been born in the United States yet lives w/ traditional Ethiopian values, I have paid attention to how the media portrays women, especially black women. The stereotypes associated w/ black women here in the States is often that they are undereducated, hypersexual, overweight, loud, angry, etc. etc. As far as Ethiopian women, we rarely have a voice, are submissive & led by our husbands, sufferers of female genital mutilation, have no education, just pop out babies by the millisecond, & my personal favorite: starving.

I do believe that women can defy these stereotypes, especially women of color & you have plenty of examples who do so but I highly doubt women want to be objectified sexually.

Answer 5

Media is partly responsible, but if everyone was against it and it didn't sell they wouldn't do it so its also societies responsibility. Women, and men, should be taught to respect their bodies but sometimes they may feel their only chance at a job is to dress more provocatively (I have no experiences this myself but I imagine some women have). I would also think women in the media recieve a lot of pressure to look a certain way as they are scrutinised and compared to other actresses/singers. If I was going to be potentially photographed or be on television 24/7 I would want to make sure I looked good all the time because nobody wants to look ugly and when a bad picture of these women are taken they are all over magazines. I think the media has a certain amount of responsibility and should stop photoshopping girls to increase their bust size and get rid of "flaws", I think this sends out the wrong message and gives young girls a false idea of beauty and unreachable goals for perfection.

Answer 6

As women in North America and most of Europe - we are free to make choices - if we did not buy into the objectification of women then the Media would have to change its tactics wouldn't they ?

The Glass ceiling is not very high for Women in the media. They may not want to see themselves nor other females as OBJECTS but do not forget they have bosses to answer to and the shareholders of these multinational media outlets want to make a profit. It does not however, start with women in the media it  starts with each and every one of us.   Also the young girls of today want the attention of the opposite s*x - they are lonely - and if it means being objectified - then so be it !

Too bad though   - this is the mis-use of our b basic freedoms.

Emily

Answer 7

When you really think about it, people make themselves into s*x objects. Sure the media escalates it to a degree but ultimately it is the fault of the individual person. I see s*x all the time but I choose to wear normal clothes that are not revealing.

Answer 8

In advertisement, they use women when their product is directed more to men. i.e beer, cars, men's razors and cologne. And they don't nearly use men as much when it's advertisements directed to women. They still do, but not as much. Media just does whatever sells, and they know what sells.