Recently, for my English class we had to write an essay about the “Power of a Word.” While a lot of my other friends were writing about words like “Hope” and “Love,” I wrote about “Sexualization.” Since I’m really passionate about SPARK and feminism, I figured writing about it would be easy, plus maybe I would be able to educate some of my classmates.
While I was writing it I realized that it had been such a long time since I really stopped and looked at what I was fighting against. I think I had taken for granted that everyone knew what sexualization was and why it was wrong. But in light of our recent media attraction and seeing how many parents and girls asked what exactly was wrong with sexualization, I realized just how important it is to go back to the beginning. Hopefully with this blog I can help remind some people (who might not necessarily need reminding) and teach some people who might actually need teaching. Because while sexualization is nothing new to us here at SPARK, sometimes it’s nice to have a refresher course.
Lets get technical, shall we? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, sexualization is a derivative of the verb “to sexualize,” which means to “make sexual; attribute sex or sex role to.” The suffix “ization” means the act, process, or as a result of making or doing. Therefore, in the raw, sexualization means the act, result, or process of attributing sex to something, turning it into a sexual object.
Ever since feminist literature became a “thing” in the late 1800s, the issue of viewing girls and women as sexual objects has been the subject of a lot of debate. While it’s not a new idea to see girls as sexual objects, using a word to describe this phenomenon is relatively new.
One of the first studies that brought sexualization to the public attention was the American Psychological Association’s Report on the Sexualization of Girls. The APA defined sexualization in four forms: “1) when a person’s worth is assumed to only come from his or her sexiness; 2) when a child is expected or encouraged to act or dress sexually; 3) when a person is treated as a sex object rather than as a whole person; and/or 4) when physical characteristics are considered to be the only indicator of sexiness.” With media and all things Internet becoming more popular, the need for media literacy and critics (like SPARK!) has brought sexualization into the public eye.
In advertisements, women pose in provocative ways and wear revealing clothing in order to grab male viewers’ attention. Women on television and in other forms of media are portrayed as ultra thin and sexually provocative. When we say that women are being sexualized, this is what we mean: women being viewed only for their bodies. In fact, it’s almost unheard of for an ad not to include sexualization.
Sexualization objectifies women. It breaks us down into parts and strips us of everything else. We are only worthy if we are sexually pleasing to men, it doesn’t matter what we think or have accomplished.
It’s not just women either, the sexualization of children is even worse. Advertisers think that if they can make products that treat young girls like adults then they can get them hooked on their products. This is why there is candy make-up for toddlers and bikinis for preschoolers. If children use these products when they’re young, they will develop brand loyalty and grow up as willing consumers. They are being turned into objects that are judged solely by appearance before they can even understand what that means.
Media also encourages us to self-sexualize. We take the messages we see around us and purposefully impose them onto ourselves. We wear revealing clothes and act in a sexually provocative manner because we believe it is the only way to get anywhere in the world. Unfortunately, women who self sexualize are more likely to have eating disorders and use harmful behavior because they don’t see themselves as worth anything more than their appearance.
Despite all of this, a lot of critics believe that girls either push sexualization upon ourselves, or that sexualization is a normal part of growing up. Sexualization has been linked to a culture of rape and to the increase in harm against women and young girls. This happens when women are dehumanized. Seeing someone as an object makes it is easier to treat them violently. Sexualization in the media teaches boys and men that it is okay for them to see girls as objects.
In the age of mass media and consumer culture it is easy to look past something as commonly seen as sexualization. But sexualization can be dangerous and detrimental to our society, especially to the young, impressionable girls living in it. It is only by understanding sexualization and its effect that we can understand how to change it. So learn to be aware of it and to question it. Once you get sufficiently irritated, help us fight it!
I really commend you for writing about this subject. Sexualization is not a joke, nothing to mock. But the truth is that the world is full of it, even in cartoons. There’s no measure of innocence left. Which is why I no longer have television or cable in my home due to the negative influences… Keep on speaking out, there’s more to say and more people to reach, more awareness to be known.
It’s pointless Annette…it’s not just on tv or cable, its outside on billboards on buses, trams, buildings. too late now…IMO its actually safer in the conservative religious countries now, where they ban such atrosities. I would gladly live there knowing my children are growing up free from all this. But even there its not safe anymore…
I agree with what you say, but let me point out that men are just as sexualized in the media as well. Men are depicted as only being worthwhile if they are muscular, rugged, wood chopping mountain men type, but minus the Grizzly Adams facial hair. And themen that arent as ruggedly handsome are depicted as being lazy, stupid screw ups. And the only time a man can be depicted as being intelligent is when he is also ruggedly good looking. And even then, good looks does not protect a man from being unintelligent. Take for example the latest McDonalds commercials. One of them depicts a very handsome man (I believe he is some famous soccer player or something, I dont know exactly) being trained to use a blender. He immediately turns it on without putting the lid on it because he is too stupid to know better, thus resulting in a large mess. The young woman training him informs him that he should take his shirt off as he now has some of the slush on said shirt. Even though he only has a little on him and everyone around him is virtually covered in pink slush. Pick any show at random where an average or less than average looking man is married to a beautiful woman (Usually a sit-com). That man is always shown to be a bumbling fool. And when he is good looking, he is usually not married and is shown as a narcissistic jerk. The shows that include handsome or good looking men usually have the best looking in positions of power while the average or less than average are usually the peons or just secondary characters. You can even see it in commercials that advertize to women. The women in the commercials are many times accompanied by very handsome men, sometimes shirtless or wearing nothing but a pair of shorts.
I think it would be fascinating to see a similar article done on the sexualization towards men as well.
All I hear is BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MENZ!!!! Did you come here from an MRA website or something? The idea that men are equally sexualised as women has been debunked. Repeatedly. You are not new, you are not clever, this is not an idea that hasn’t been shot down repeatedly.
http://www.shapingyouth.org/?p=18956
I agree.
I am completing my masters in counseling this year and am taking a class that is requiring a response to the “Report of APA on the Sexualization of Girls,” which led me to this blog. I was curious to see responses of others because I found it somewhat offensive. There were many valid points, especially concerning sexual abuse, etc, but I feel that it had too much of a feminist movement influence regarding the media, etc.
I am very much female and I agree with the male responses. Men are just as sexualized as females. Men are just as insecure when it comes to their appearance as females. Let’s face it, the “Twilight” craze sums it up. Do you really think that it would have been as popular if the character was a Danny DeVito figure? I think not. Isn’t that sexualization?
Suggestions concerning the alternatives to sexualization dealt with females joining religious organizations. Correct me if I am wrong, but don’t most religious texts refer to the purpose of sex as a mean for reproduction only? Why is it more acceptable to be viewed as a baby maker over a sex object? Because it is our natural right to reproduce?
I noticed a response on this post ” its actually safer in the conservative religious countries now, where they ban such atrosities. I would gladly live there knowing my children are growing up free from all this. But even there its not safe anymore…” It took women many years to separate themselves from the stereotypical Betty Crocker housewife whose sole purpose was to tend to the house, children and husband. Women had to walk on eggshells in public and were seen as useless in any other aspect. We are blessed to live in a society where we are free to become educated, behave and dress the way we want, have children with or without a partner, work in any career, and for once, embrace our sexuality. Thanks to the acceptance of female sexuality, we are no longer receiving the short end of the stick in the bedroom (No pun intended) but are able to explore our needs and wants, along with receiving those needs and wants.
Females need to stop with this inferiority complex. No gender is more superior than the other. We work together to make this world beautiful.
How is sexualization in advertisements a big deal if women choose to take part in it?
I don’t think they really understand what sexualisation and objectification means.
I think it links back to what the article pointed out – that many ‘parents and girls asked what exactly was wrong with sexualization’. It is so ingrained into our culture and our thoughts that many people are oblivious to the damage, and think it’s just a lot of fun. And, because our public media and advertising culture is without regulation, and they keep wanting the edgier images, we are trained to think that it’s normal, cool, and we end up desiring what’s plastered in front of us instead of taking stock of what’s really going on.
I agree with just about everything you covered in this blog; however, I do feel obligated to point out that you failed…
You failed to also speak out on male sexualization, especially in adverts. Women are disproportionately displayed as sex objects, but men are not immune to being victims either. The pharmeceutical & fashion industries, in collusion with (always inhuman) marketing, are to blame for sexualization of ALL humans.
It doesn’t just hurt women, but men, too — when we constantly hear adverts for “male-enhancement” and Viagra/Cialis, then the common male feels inferior and lacking and thus the sexualization is thrust upon him as well. American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein: all of these objectify the male body as something the male should aspire to and the female (or male, depending on your preferences) desire.
The woman in a skimpy outfit rubbing herself on the half-naked man in the advert is a victim. So is that half-naked man. So are ALL the viewers of the advert. Do not be so quick to exclude someone to boost your rhetoric — it is stronger when you include everyone who is affected…
~Bren (A Firm Believer in Moderation in All Aspects of Life)
Yet another one who missed the point entirely. The way men are sexualised does not hold a CANDLE to what is done to women. And while men’s appearances may be poked at, they’re still seen as whole human beings capable of merit despite their appearances. Meanwhile ANYTHING a woman says can be countered with “but what if she’s ugly?”
This “point” has been debunked so many times it’s not even funny. Educate yourself and stop thinking you’re clever.
Totally agree Tally. Men are so diversely represented there are NO comparisons!! Sure there may be a few token ads being produced now due to the fact marketers are taking the view of ‘instead of NOT sexualizing women, we will start to sexualize men too’. If people started to realise the only thing sex sells is sex, the better off we would all be. In my opinion men should be offended by the portrayal in advertising that they are stupid, not that they are sexualized.
Hey Bren,
Yes, I totally agree that men can be victims of sexualization! I thought long and hard about whether or not to include men in the assignment/blog. Personally, I felt that as a woman I could better articulate the female side of the issue, as well as my personal belief that it is more common for women to be sexualized, which of course does not mean that men aren’t. Our mission here at SPARK is look at the clear and present danger that sexualization poses to girls and young women and how the media expedites this sexualization. Basically, we focus on girls and women, but the sexualization of men does still occur and is a viable discussion. Ultimately, I chose, in an attempt to keep my post of a readable length, to focus on what we do here at SPARK. I’m sure SPARK would welcome a guest blog from a man about the sexualization of men in the media,
Best,
Maya
Kudos to you!!! you who can see what most cannot!
well done! well thought! well written! well articulated!!
and in reply to Abby.. who cannot see… we the viewers are being sexualised. AND many of the women involved are sold the lie that this empowers them! They but the lie… they think it will empower them, they believe it is their decision , when really it is not. They are doing just what society and men want them to, while being told it is their idea and that it is good for them!
when these women take part in it it is a big deal because it impacts on us all and how the rest of the female population is thought of and treated in society.
trust me it IS a BIG DEAL!!!
this wonderful author has seen it! why can’t you?
So, how is sexualization different from sexuality? How do you figure out what someone is being sexualized, and when they are embracing their sexuality?
I wasn’t trying to be a bigot. I just wanted to know what people thought, as the author didn’t state her opinion on why people choose to take part in ads that sexualize and dehumanize. I agree with her completely. Sorry for any offense my post might have caused.
However, I do agree with David and Bren. Sexualization is a problem – for both males and females, even though ads more commonly sexualize females. I’ll link to this website again: http://www.shapingyouth.org/?p=18956
It’s a great website that takes the sexualization of both males and females into consideration, and it features an article written by one of the SPARKTeam members.
Great blog, Maya! Agree that sexualization of boys and men is a problem (and its a great idea for a future blog), but it’s not as frequent a problem. For example, studies tracking sexualized images tell us that advertisements depicting children in sexual ways have increased significantly over time, and that 85% of such ads depict girls. The APA Task Force Report in 2007 found ample evidence in all forms of media of the widespread sexualization and objectification of girls. Moreover, when men are sexualized they are more typically shown in power positions, not vulnerable or overpowered or the object of sexual violence.
Isn’t it all about how we process what we see? Saying it is everywhere is exxagerated. I do feel some really look for it too. And yes what about males being sex objects and joked about. I work with approx 10 females who all joke about men with sexist jokes. Speak for all not just women.. And girls/ women do have voices don’t they. I tested the sexualisation everywhere theory and from Brisbane to the Gold Coast along the M1 with the many many billboards only one was advertising a gentlemans club showing a female model in a bikini just before the Surfers turn off. I’m convinced some women do have negative coping skills just like some men perhaps and it’s a bad mix. Let’s educate more about self worth regardless of what’s out there – let’s be more resilient.
I really enjoyed this article, and I was wondering if the entire essay is available anywhere? I would love to read it.
You have done a good article. I am really proud of you as a sose and english teacher i am going to give this article to my students and ask them to write an essay on SEXUALISATIOn about 200 to 400 words thanj you very much.
Great article! Thank you for articulating what i struggle to say when discussing this issue with the “i dont see the problem” crowd … what they’re saying is wrong, but because I’ve been subjected to the same thought processes as them for years i have trouble arguing it.
One thing id like to point out to the people saying that men are “just as sexualized” as women:
how come its typical to see an “ugly” man with good looking woman on television? or an unattractive male public figure or star, but his female counterpart is required to be pretty?
These sorts of things are the norm, but in no way are they appropriate.
[…] been posting a bunch of stuff about gender lately, I thought it might be a good idea to include this great piece by 17-year old Maya Brown where she talks about what it really means when we sexualize women and […]