Chigoziri Ene 

Writing for the Sciences 

Professor Zayas 

Literature Review 

Mar. 21, 2023

 

              Health Impact of Objectifying Women  

Introduction 

      The sociological definition of a patriarchy is a system of social organization that recognizes, encourages, and reproduces the seemingly natural and necessary domination of men over women. Placing men superior on a social and cultural level as illustrated throughout history in society’s standard of what is acceptable or pleasing. As a result of this system, women are often groomed to live up to the standard of men and that of society. A deeply integrated part of a patriarchal society would be the dehumanizing practice of objectification. Analysis will be made of its integration in our society through cultural, immersive, and interpersonal means. Its role in adversarial sexual beliefs and the resulting fear of men. This paper will essentially analyze objectification’s correlation between women’s sexual lifestyle and their sexual health.

 

What’s objectification? 

       Objectification can be defined as the viewing of a person (woman) on a subconscious level as an object to either be used for sexual purposes (sex-based objectification) or viewed for the quality of their physical appearance (beauty based objectification), (Chevallereau et al., 2021). Self-objectification is when a woman internalizes this message and begins to view herself as an object to be viewed and used for the pleasures of men  (Szymanski et al., 2021). Moreover, Fredrickson and Roberts (1997, as cited in Szymanski et al., 2021) developed the Objectification theory, which is the belief that sexual objectification can negatively contribute to a woman’s health in both direct and indirect means. With the primary focus of this paper being sexual objectification, we will further examine its true extent on women’s physical health in addition to the discussed effects in the objectification theory.

Impact of objectification 

     Being viewed as objects puts women in a vulnerable position, seeing as a woman’s acknowledgment of existence is based on the ability to satisfy the sexual desires and fantasy of a man. Sexual objectification (SO) is so deeply embedded in our society that women experience it in a cultural, immersive, and interpersonal way (Szymanski et al., 2021). Examples of cultural SO would be the ongoing representation of women in the media. An example of immersive SO include modeling, beauty pageants, etc. Whereas, interpersonal SO includes catcalling and body evaluations. Each of these examples are brief insights to the constant struggles of being a woman, in which you are always recognized by your body first, then sometimes as a ‘person’ depending on your ability to meet an absurd standard.

         Dehumanization occurs when an individual is deprived of Human Nature (HN) characteristics (such as depth, emotionality, etc), and Human Uniqueness (HU) Characteristics (such as maturity, ability to think, civility, etc). “The denial of HN leads to the perception of individuals as object-or robot-like,” which is consistent with objectification (Chevallereau et al., 2021, p.1219). The objectification of women often deprives them of depth/substance and recognized ability to express and have emotion. Whereas “[the] denial of HU leads to the perception of individuals as animal- or child-like”, which further depicts the extent of objectification (Chevallereau et al., 2021, p.1219). As previously stated, to be viewed as an object is a result of being denied the recognition of the ability to express and have emotions. Emotions in layman terms are portrayals of our moods, which influence our ability to think and process things. In essence, the denial of the ability to think, and feel equates the victim to an object that can be easily mistaken as animal or child whose emotions are not necessarily prioritized.

Experiencing Sexual Objectification (SO) 

         As previously stated, women experience Sexual Objectification in cultural, immersive, and interpersonal ways. Each experience is interconnected and all come together to define what it means to be a woman in today’s society. A cultural experience of SO would be women’s representation in the media. Understand that culture is a way of life. It’s passed on from generation to generation, It’s the centerpiece that holds the four walls of a home, a classroom, a group chat amongst friends,etc. An example of cultural sexual objectification would be music. The role of the music industry in the objectification of women, has been repeatedly analyzed. The discussed music genre is mainstream pop music in America, with the focus being the visual representation in these music videos that make up the Hot 100 Billboard charts of 2007 and 2008 (Aubrey S. et al, 2011).  Despite the fifteen to sixteen year difference, there’s  not that much difference in the message of the music industry. Examples of the 2008’s Hot 100 Top Billboard, include but are not limited to the following: Lollipop by Lil Wayne, Love in This Club by Usher Ft. Young Jeezy, and Touch My Body  by Mariah Carey. Whereas the examples of the 2023’s Hot 100 Top Billboard, include but are not limited to the following: Unholy by Sam Smith, Under The Influence by Chris Brown, Super Freaky Girl by Nicki Minaj, and Tomorrow 2 by GloRilla and Cardi B. Although the quality of the cinematography has progressed, there’s still the constant display of close to naked women, dances that bring attention particular body parts such as the breasts and a woman’s backside, and sexually charged lyrics and scenes in the music videos

        Music is often is known for its “emphasis on women’s sexual appeal and [reinforcing] the stereotype of women as sex objects, existing primarily for the pleasure of male spectators” (Aubrey S. et al, 2011, p. 360). Meaning, the message sent out to the public is to recognize women by body first which further solidifies the grip of objectification on society. Interestingly, this message is often carried out a lot more by women which illustrates the extent of self- objectification and the need to meet the unspoken expectations bestowed on them. Which continues the cycle, where society internalizes the messages of objectification, then sells this story to the public which includes: impressionable women, men who already practice objectification, and children who begin to internalize these messages and see no wrong in it because they know no better. Thus bringing us to the effects of all these internalization. With the music industry comes Adversarial sexual beliefs. Which is the view of  women as only good for sex, that women can either use their bodies to manipulate men or please men, never really for their own pleasure. (Aubrey S. et al, 2011). With the belief comes a power imbalance that implies the man is in total control of a woman and sex.

          However, it is not that the music industry purposefully places an emphasis onwomen’s sexual appeal and continuing the objectification cycles. Because in the words of Aristotle, “Art is a mirror of reality”. Meaning  that the music industry and its message are simply a reflection of what is generally expected of women. A mere reflection of the reality of a woman.

Effects of Adversarial Sexual Beliefs 

          With adversarial sexual beliefs, comes little to no regard of a woman’s consent. Resulting in the reality where women begin to fear men for their safety. Understand that interpersonal experiences such as catcalling come with an implicit threat of sexual violence (Szymanski et al., 2021). Which is why a man would catcall a woman and get really angry when she’s not receptive, because it is given that the woman has no say in the matter. The constant threat of sexual violence is reflected in the high rates of sexual violence perpetrated by men (Szymanski et al., 2021). Thus resulting in fear of rape which comes with the high possibilities of unwanted pregnancies, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Health impacts of Objectification 

       The extent of women’s fear can be further examined in the work of Phaladze & Tlou (2006). The focused region of their research being Botswana, during the HIV/AIDS epidemic of Sub-Saharan Africa. A risk factor for women during this pandemic was “[c]ultural factors preventing women from negotiating safer sex” which included men’s distaste for condoms, men’s tendencies to have multiple affairs, and men’s assumption of women’s inability to “make healthy and sensible choices”. It was interesting to see the men’s (the ones with the absolute say) level of ignorance concerning STIs, because there was a general lack of knowledge that having a STI increases the likelihood of HIV transmission (Phaladze & Tlou, 2006, p. 26-27). Botswana, like the US, is a patriarchal society that values men over women, and displays male dominance in practically every aspect of society (economy, culture, etc).

      The possibility of getting an STI is still a risk for anyone engaging in sexual intercourse, but women seem to be at a greater risk. Not a lot of research has been done in the US concerning objectification and STI rates in women. However, with the research done in Botswana during a STI epidemic, we have some insights to our research topic. We can see the display of the power play involved in sex with men viewing the woman as an object to satisfy his sexual desires and needs but incapable of having needs and cognitive abilities. Which automatically puts the man in charge, allowing him to dictate whether or not safe sex will be carried out with readily available contraceptives such as condoms. Which oftentimes means unprotected sex that is practiced with the multiple women the man chooses to have sex with. Thus increasing the possibility of getting and giving STIs to each partner especially when the symptoms are asymptomatic.  

 

Conclusion 

    To recapitulate, objectification of women is a dehumanizing act that is practiced at every level of today’s society. This practice is dehumanizing as it deprives women of human nature and human uniqueness characteristics, putting them at the mercy of men. Forcing women to experience it on a constant basis through cultural, immersive, and interpersonal means. Which tremendously influence the public’s  perception of matters concerning women and sex, bringing us to concepts such as Adversarial sexual beliefs that strengthen the hold of objectification on society. Resulting in fear of men, rape, unwanted pregnancy, sexual assault, and so much more. As a result of objectification, women face a greater risk of getting an STI.

      There’s an ongoing lack of research concerning the physical effects of objectification, though there are many concerning the psychological effects. With this research we can help better illustrate the effects of objectification by offering a wholesome research of the detrimental effects of objectification on women.

 

References 

Aubrey, J. S., Hopper, M., Mbure, W. G. (2011) Check That Body! The Effects of Sexually Objectifying Music Videos on College Men’s Sexual Beliefs. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media . 55(3), 2011, pp. 360–379 doi: 10.1080/08838151.2011.597469

 

Chevallereau, T. , Maurage, P. , Stinglhamber, F., Demoulin, S. (2021). Sex-based and beauty-based objectification: Metadehumanization and emotional consequences among victims. British Journal of Social Psychology . 2021 Oct;60(4):1218-1240. doi: 10.1111/bjso.12446.

 

Phaladze, N. , Tlou, S. (2006). Gender and HIV/AIDS in Botswana: A Focus on Inequalities and Discrimination. Taylor & Francis. Vol. 14, No. 1, 23-35 doi: 10.1080/13552070500518095

 

Szymanski, D., Swanson, C.S, Carretta, R. F. (2020). Interpersonal Sexual Objectification, Fear of Rape, and U.S. College Women’s Depression. Springer Nature. 84:720–730. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-020-01194-2

 

Reflection of Lit Review 

My literature review was easy to work through because I was organized. I made a detailed draft that effectively illustrated my interest, and message. The language used in my literature review was easy to understand, consistent, coherent, and detailed. However, I had some grammatical errors, and needed to improve my writing style (I broke down my points way too much) and be more succinct.