Running head: HOW THE OBJECTIFICATION OF WOMEN IN FILM AND 1

MEDIA

How the Objectification of Women in Film and Media Impacts the Male Population

Stephenie Langley

Lincoln Memorial University

November 21, 2015

Dr. Stephen Wright

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Abstract

Throughout history women have been placed in the roles depicted by men. Women have sought

equality as far back as the 17th century but it was not until the 1900’s that women began to make

any significant progress. Today women are accomplished, educated, and have surpassed their

male counterparts academically with more college and university attendance and graduation.

However, women are still portrayed as sexual objects and dehumanized on screen and in the

media, more today than ever in history. With the rise of technology, photographs and videos of

women and young girls are extremely prevalent and most often displayed provocatively, wearing

little to no clothing. The progress of feminism has stalled and the accommodation of the

misogynistic mentality is evident in the production and direction of film and media. The impact

this has on females, especially young girls and adolescents, has been researched and a plethora of

data is available. This study will evaluate whether or not the male population (age range from

adolescents through elder adults) in society are impacted by female objectification. If there are

correlated effects, are they positive or negative? If males are negatively affected or influenced by

female objectification, how it is manifested by males, and how may that impact females and

society?
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How the Objectification of Women in Film and Media Impacts the Male Population

Table of Contents

Title Page 1

Abstract 2

Table of Contents 3

Statement of Problem 4

Purpose of the Study 4

Justification of the Study 4

Research Questions 5

Definition of Terms 5

Literature Review 5-7

Methodology 7-8

Results 8-9

References 10
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Statement of Problem

The objectification of women is not a new social issue, however, the quantity and level of

exploitation has never been more prevalent than it is today. Women and girls are not only

portrayed provocatively and shown to be mere playthings but dissected to further dehumanize

them in the eyes of the world. It is a rarity to watch a TV show or movie that does not contain

some facet of female sexuality and/or nudity. This epidemic can be observed even in cartoons

and Disney films, where images of the impossible standard of the female body are portrayed.

Purpose of the Study

A vast amount of studies show that the objectification of females in film and media has

negative consequences for females. Data reveals that females suffer from; low self-esteem,

depression, eating disorders, expensive and potentially dangerous cosmetic and plastic surgeries,

increased sexual and violent victimization, and contributes to women’s profound lack of trust

and feelings of personal and gender safety. The purpose of this study is determine whether males

are negatively impacted by the prolific amount of invasive and provocative depictions of females

and what negative consequences could exist and influence causal behaviors.

Justification of the Study

When males are constantly bombarded with images that suggest that women’s primary

role in life is that of male’s sexual gratification they may begin to see women as objects, inferior

to themselves, therefore they may learn to not value and respect women as human beings and as

their equals. This mentality can lead to consequential behaviors; ie: an increase in violence

towards women, sexual violence towards women, stalking, infidelity, and perhaps confusion
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stemming from profuse false representation of females. In the workplace men may struggle to

respect a female superior, leading to insubordination, sexual harassment, and/or termination.

Research Questions

1. What qualifies as objectification?

2. Are males negatively affected by female objectification?

3. If males are negatively impacted, how is this manifested?

4. How does the negative impact effect males, females around them, and society as a

whole?

5. Do the negative effects pose a threat to the males, females, and/or society,

Definition of Terms

1. Objectification - : to treat as an object or cause to have objective reality

: to give expression to (as an abstract notion, feeling, or ideal) in a form that can

be experienced by others

2. Misogyny - : a hatred of women

3. Dehumanize - : to treat (someone) as though he or she is not a human being

4. Sexual Violence - : a sexual act committed against someone without that person’s

freely given consent.

Literary Review

The Objectification of Women in Mass Media: Female Self-Image in Misogynist Culture

positions a light on the dismissal of the blatant objectification of females in media and film as

feminist rhetoric. It further illustrates the significant harm caused by the constant presentation of

unattainable images of females/ beauty, and the message it sends of what femininity should be.

As the media inundates the public with unabated images of female nudity and vulgar acts of
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promiscuity the impact is detrimental to society as a whole. Statistics will show the increase in

violence, sexual violence, potentially harmful cosmetic surgeries, and eating disorders

propagated by sexism in the media (Berberick, 2010).

This is a peer reviewed journal article. The purpose of the study is to prove that media’s

long distance reach due to technology and its negative and unrealistic portrayals and expectations

of women have set exploitive and dangerous cultural standards. These standards have

consequences that are mentally and physically detrimental to both genders of all ages. This

analysis presents data showing a drastic rise in crimes against women, self-alterations that are

often harmful, eating disorders that are sometimes fatal, and a plethora of messages to young

males that females are simply props to leer at, use for sexual gratification, and unworthy of

respect (Langley, 2015).

A journal article in Psychology of Women Quarterly, Oppressive Beliefs at Play:

Associations Among Beauty Ideals and Practices and Individual Differences in Sexism,

Objectification of Others, and Media Exposure depicts the examination of sexist beliefs,

objectification of women, and beauty idealism and practices using psychological framework

across three scientific studies. This study included 1,158 participants and used seven various

scale ratings including; Figure Rating Scale, Contour Drawing Figure Rating Scale, Self-

Objectification Scale, Ambivalent Sexism Inventory Hostility, Attitude Toward Women Scale,

Hostility Toward Women Scale, and the Photographic Figure Rating Scale. This empirical and

quantitative study provided three tiered measurement of people’s beliefs and internal attitudes

regarding women (Swami, V., Coles, R., Wilson, E., Salem, N., Wyrozumska, K., & Furnham,

A. (2010).
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In this Peer Reviewed Journal Article, the purpose of this study was to determine whether

beauty ideals and practices in Western Society have any link with sexism and overall opinions

and beliefs of women (Langley, 2015). The results of the three studies supported the original

hypothesis that “beauty ideals and practices are believed to originate, in part at least, from

oppressive beliefs and attitudes directed at women” (Swami, et al.2010).

Robert L. Nadeau’s S/He Brain is a scientific look into the physiological differences in

the domain of the gender based mind, while making the connection between gender identity and

biological realities. He delves into the patriarchal culture including legends and myths invented

by men resulting in the oppression and control of women (Nadeau, 1996).

S/He Brain is non-fiction, it is the science, sexual politics, and the myths of feminism. It

is an interdisciplinary study that applies research to the gender specific brain, with a quest for

gender equality through knowledge and responsibility. This written work is a culmination of

empirical data collected from over 200 sources. The purpose is to enlighten those who believe

gender is some arcane academic jargon that does not affect humanity in our daily lives. It is the

greatest conflict of the politics of our sexual lives. Men and woman’s brains do not function the

same way. The differences have behavioral consequences. The intent of the book is not to

escalate the gender war, but to implement sexual equality (Langley, 2015).

Methodology

For the purpose of this study the researcher used a culmination of a meta-analysis

using statistics and data collected from the resources listed in the Literary Review and research

survey analysis. The questionnaire utilized in this study was comprised by first determining what

information must be collected to ensure a comprehensive study. Second, how the researcher will

conduct the study, thirdly creating a first draft and editing to create an unbiased, thorough Q &
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A. Next was the private presentation of the questionnaire in conjunction with an informed

consent form to ensure autonomy, discretion, and the highest attempt at collecting honest and

accurate data.

The data collected from minors was acquired with signed parental consent. Each participant was

given the questionnaire independent of their peers, friends, or spouses and instructed to omit

their names, providing only age and gender. There was no time limit set for completion, however

most participants completed the 25 question survey in 10 minutes or less. To ensure balance,

consistency, and accuracy in determining gender impact, an equal number of males and females

were asked to participate in the study. With informed consent the adults answered the

questionnaire in different locations, however each were asked and observed taking the

questionnaire in separate rooms. Each participant was again given complete anonymity,

providing only age and gender with concise instruction that their answers would be kept

confidential. This again was an effort to obtain unbiased and untainted information as one may

not be as honest and forthcoming if they believed their significant other were given access to

their responses.

Results

The findings after conducting the survey of 40 participants reveals that in fact both

genders are negatively affected by the sexualization, objectification, and dismemberment of

women portrayed in media and film. However the results show that females are impacted at an

alarmingly higher degree, as the impact these images have on males directly effects how females

are perceived and therefore treated by the males around them.

Over the last decade more and more research has been conducted on the effects of the

profuse sexualization of females in media and on-screen portrayals but far less has been studied
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on the effects this objectification has on the males in society. When males were asked direct

questions in this study about their perceptions of women and their involvement in the subsequent

violence linked towards women, the statistics show a high percentage rate. Most of the post-

questionnaire questions and comments from the males address that topic. Many of the males

admitted to having negative and/or violent thoughts about their female counterparts that have led

to some violent acts. The males themselves expressed a victim-like response or attitude. The

researcher’s consensus is that the males, primarily young males, did not realize these tendencies

within themselves, nor had they identified where these feelings and responses had stemmed

from. The study revealed that the older the males the more similarities there were in the thought

processes and opinions of both genders. More males (over the age of 35) than expected

acknowledge the objectification of females in film and media, and the dangers it produces

(Langley, 2015).

Usage Female Male

Media, Magazines 90% 87%
TV, Movies, Videos 100% 100%
Pornography 12% 78%

Standards of Beauty Female Male

Conveyance of impossible standards 100% 82%
Obligation to be sexy 100% 94%
Accuracy of portrayal/depictions 10% 74%

Perceptions Female Male

Objectification 100% 92%
Dehumanization 95% 66%
Female's primary role as male's sexual gratification 0% 49%

Impacts Female Male

Violence/ Sexual violence/ Stalking 97% 86%
Eating disorders 64% 1%
Depression 100.00% 55.00%
Low self-esteem/ body image/ body shaming 100% 60%
Insecurities 100% 60%
Trust and Safety Concerns 97% 77%
Cosmetic and/or Plastic Surgery 89% 40%
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References

Berberick, S. (2010). The objectification of women in mass media: female self-image in misogynist

culture. University of Buffalo. The New York Sociologist, Vol 5

Langley, S. (2015). The Objectification of Women in Film and Media: How it Effects Males in

Society. Research paper for undergraduate studies at King University.

Nadeau, R. (1996). S/he brain: science, sexual politics, and the myths of feminism. Westport, CT.

Praeger Publishers

Swami, V., Coles, R., Wilson, E., Salem, N., Wyrozumska, K., & Furnham, A. (2010).

Oppressive beliefs at play: Associations among beauty ideals and practices and

individual differences in sexism, objectification of others, and media exposure.

Psychology of Women Quarterly, 34 (3), 365-379. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-6402

.2010.01582.x