Sexual Objectification and the Effects on Women free essay sample

First, is the effect it has on their self-image. Second, is the effect on how they portray themselves in their relationships. Third is the effect it has on their mental state. The effect on a woman’s self-image is one of the biggest problems, if not the biggest. The main problem with self-image is that women see themselves as sex objects. This is starting to start at a very young age. According to a study by Knox College in Galesburg, IL, girls as young as six are beginning to think of themselves as sex objects. This study was compiled by asking dozens of girls ages 6 to 9 to choose a doll that looked like themselves, that they wanted to look like, that would be most popular in school, etc. The study concluded that across the board, the girls chose dolls that have been termed â€Å"sexy dolls†. These dolls are dressed in tight, revealing clothing. We will write a custom essay sample on Sexual Objectification and the Effects on Women or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It does not stop there. As these children grow older, young girls and teenagers start to develop an increasing concern with their weight and are unhappy with their bodies. They feel that they must start to look and act like these women they see on such shows as Flavor of Love or in magazines such as Playboy. Most studies have focused on the eating disorders that can arise from this form of objectification such as anorexia and bulimia. These studies have shown that since World War II, popular media has increasingly held up a thinner and thinner body image as an ideal for women. However, more recently the studies have started to also focus on the fashion. In 2007, The American Psychological Association reported that advertisements on TV showing provocatively dressed females as schoolgirls in pigtails and children’s dolls that come with sexually suggestive clothing are major contributors to this trend. These objectification trends are on the rise and are creating a low self-image for our young children. This will continue to spiral downward as they mature into grown women. Once these young children reach their teen years and even into early adulthood, this objectification brings on a second effect. Their ability to form natural relationships is dwindling. Take for instance the show Rock of Love or The Bachelor. Women on these shows compete amongst each other for one man’s affection. The actions of these women go much further than a regular conversation and first date. You see these women get naked, make-out with each other, even sleep with these men all in the hopes that for one more week they are able to stay in the house, just to turn around next week and do it all over again. What is this teaching our children? Well for one it is teaching them that this type of behavior is acceptable. This acceptable behavior has attributed to higher teen pregnancy, multiple sex partners and now the new craze – sexting. In a SPARK Summit video, Yanique Richards a high school student feels that these types of shows are directly targeted towards her and her peers. She states that â€Å"these shows are shown when I directly get home from school and I don’t want to do homework and I am sitting in front of the TV. † These types of behaviors that our teens and young adults are watching have a profound effect on their future relationships. This is a form of stereotyping, and stereotyping exerts control or power over people, pressuring them to conform according to Susan Fiske, professor of Psychology at Princeton University. If this is the type of behavior that is acceptable, how can we expect our children to ever visualize themselves as anything more than a sex object in their partner’s eyes? The effects on women from all this objectification is already a great deal. Nevertheless, there is still one other factor to consider, how this effects a woman’s mental state. Psychologists and even some feminists are arguing that this type of objectification can lead to depression, low self-esteem and hopelessness due to the belief that their intelligence and competence are not being currently nor never will be acknowledged by society as a whole. By having these feelings about one self, there is no reason to push yourself in your education or your career. It can also lead to feeling of fear, shame and disgust, which are typically shown during the transition from being a little girl to womanhood. There is a strong sense in their minds that power, respect and wealth will only be achieved through one’s outward appearance and their sexual performance. While there are many negatives out there, I did come across a small amount of research that shows there are positive female stereotypes to try to counteract all of this negativity. These positive examples, if watched instead, can empower young girls and women. Who are some of these positive â€Å"role models†? In the article â€Å"Media Portrayal of Women†, it cites Lisa Simpson, Buffy, The Vampire Slayer, and even Dora the Explorer. All are powerful, inquisitive, gifted and intelligent women who counteract this horrible objectification and make girls believe that these are the mental characteristics in which one should strive. The medias objectification of woman has been a long-standing issue. More than likely, this will be a battle that will be fought until the end of time. What we have to do as a society is take a stronger stand against this behavior and teach our children that these types of behaviors they see on TV, in print ads, music videos, and even from other women on the street are NOT acceptable. The one way I know how to do this is to become more involved as parents. As times have gotten tougher, more and more kids are left at home to be exposed to this type of behavior and objectification. Maybe schools implement a course about this.