Hypersexualization of Women and Girls in Media: Is it a Problem?
In a society focused so heavily on physical attractiveness, an emphasis on sexuality is no foreign concept. It has become all too common to switch on a television or drive by a billboard and see girls in an unnecessarily sexualized light. In fact, studies in the 2000s found that 10 times more hypersexualized images of women than men were featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine (Donovan). This representation of women and girls by the media is detrimental and, if stopped, would lead to a more positive attitude towards women and would present more opportunities to minority women as well as women of all backgrounds.
Firstly, hypersexualization is dehumanizing and reduces women to their bodies, erasing their experiences and characters. The APA has found that women who are more exposed to hypersexualized media are more likely to accept these conceptualized images of femininity and place an unhealthy amount of value on their physical attractiveness. Fetishization is another side effect of this commodifying of the female body. A fetish has been described as an obsession or intense sexual preoccupation with something that would otherwise be nonsexual. This sensation takes a big toll on women and especially on women of color. “Black women’s bodies have been seen as something to be enjoyed by others, but not celebrated herself unless it appeals to the mainstream patriarchal view” (Montford). Taté Walker says representations of Indigenous girls send the message that their worth is equatable to their “exotic” body and provocative dress. These effects lead to a number of other problems faced by women on a day-to-day basis. Because women are being dehumanized, not only do men and society as a whole begin to value them less, but they themselves do as well, thus leading to the lowered self image found in young women, the overwhelming involvement of women as victim in abusive relationships, and a lowered number of women in STEM fields. As the images presented of “sexy” women are more often than not of thin models, young girls have begun to accept this as the only way to be pretty. Since the media also puts a large emphasis on prettiness, girls believe that being skinny is what they must accomplish not only to look good, but also to be desired, fulfilled, happy, and successful. Studies have linked this portrayal of women to an increased number of girls who experience body dysmorphia and eating disorders. Research shows that exposure to sexualized media reduces a woman’s corporal confidence which can lead to self image problems and shame (APA). By providing such a narrow standard of beauty, these images tell women that there is only one way to be feminine, and that is to be thin and conventionally attractive. In a study conducted by The Department of Psychology at Kenyon College, women were reported to have had a more negative image of their own bodies after looking at sexualized pictures of women who fit the “slender standard” than they had after being exposed to pictures of average-sized women (Groesz, Levine, and Murnen). In addition, not only does objectification cause emotional damage, but it can present real-life dangers as well. Sexualized media often relies heavily on racial and gender stereotypes, perpetuating these harmful ideals and endangering and limiting young women. Because of the reliance on stereotypes and common prejudices, it should be noted that women of color …show more content…
According to Heidman, with the normalization of sexualization, young girls can begin to subconsciously self-objectify, which can lead to lower test scores and confidence, and increased levels of depression. She states, “Women who are high self-objectifiers have lower political efficacy. Political efficacy is the idea that your voice matters in politics and that you can bring about change in politics. So if we have a whole generation of young people being raised where woman 's objectification is . . . normal . . . we have a whole generation of women who are less likely to run for office and less likely to vote” (Miss Representation). This information shows, clearly, that the argument that the hypersexualization of women in media has no real effects does not hold water. Things perpetuated by this biased media, as with anything repeated regularly, are bound to be internalized and accepted as the truth, leading to lower confidence in women in all
In a society focused so heavily on physical attractiveness, an emphasis on sexuality is no foreign concept. It has become all too common to switch on a television or drive by a billboard and see girls in an unnecessarily sexualized light. In fact, studies in the 2000s found that 10 times more hypersexualized images of women than men were featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine (Donovan). This representation of women and girls by the media is detrimental and, if stopped, would lead to a more positive attitude towards women and would present more opportunities to minority women as well as women of all backgrounds.
Firstly, hypersexualization is dehumanizing and reduces women to their bodies, erasing their experiences and characters. The APA has found that women who are more exposed to hypersexualized media are more likely to accept these conceptualized images of femininity and place an unhealthy amount of value on their physical attractiveness. Fetishization is another side effect of this commodifying of the female body. A fetish has been described as an obsession or intense sexual preoccupation with something that would otherwise be nonsexual. This sensation takes a big toll on women and especially on women of color. “Black women’s bodies have been seen as something to be enjoyed by others, but not celebrated herself unless it appeals to the mainstream patriarchal view” (Montford). Taté Walker says representations of Indigenous girls send the message that their worth is equatable to their “exotic” body and provocative dress. These effects lead to a number of other problems faced by women on a day-to-day basis. Because women are being dehumanized, not only do men and society as a whole begin to value them less, but they themselves do as well, thus leading to the lowered self image found in young women, the overwhelming involvement of women as victim in abusive relationships, and a lowered number of women in STEM fields. As the images presented of “sexy” women are more often than not of thin models, young girls have begun to accept this as the only way to be pretty. Since the media also puts a large emphasis on prettiness, girls believe that being skinny is what they must accomplish not only to look good, but also to be desired, fulfilled, happy, and successful. Studies have linked this portrayal of women to an increased number of girls who experience body dysmorphia and eating disorders. Research shows that exposure to sexualized media reduces a woman’s corporal confidence which can lead to self image problems and shame (APA). By providing such a narrow standard of beauty, these images tell women that there is only one way to be feminine, and that is to be thin and conventionally attractive. In a study conducted by The Department of Psychology at Kenyon College, women were reported to have had a more negative image of their own bodies after looking at sexualized pictures of women who fit the “slender standard” than they had after being exposed to pictures of average-sized women (Groesz, Levine, and Murnen). In addition, not only does objectification cause emotional damage, but it can present real-life dangers as well. Sexualized media often relies heavily on racial and gender stereotypes, perpetuating these harmful ideals and endangering and limiting young women. Because of the reliance on stereotypes and common prejudices, it should be noted that women of color …show more content…
According to Heidman, with the normalization of sexualization, young girls can begin to subconsciously self-objectify, which can lead to lower test scores and confidence, and increased levels of depression. She states, “Women who are high self-objectifiers have lower political efficacy. Political efficacy is the idea that your voice matters in politics and that you can bring about change in politics. So if we have a whole generation of young people being raised where woman 's objectification is . . . normal . . . we have a whole generation of women who are less likely to run for office and less likely to vote” (Miss Representation). This information shows, clearly, that the argument that the hypersexualization of women in media has no real effects does not hold water. Things perpetuated by this biased media, as with anything repeated regularly, are bound to be internalized and accepted as the truth, leading to lower confidence in women in all