Are you objectifying people without realizing it?
objectification
[ uhb-jek-tuh-fi-key-shuhn]
Noun: the act or an instance of treating a person as an object or thing.https://www.dictionary.com/browse/objectificationCopy
Porn fuels objectification
Porn often perpetuates objectification of performers by depicting them as sexual objects to be used rather than complex human beings deserving of respect.
Research regularly shows that frequent porn consumers are more likely to sexually objectify and dehumanize others.Mikorski, R., & Szymanski, D. M. (2017). Masculine norms, peer group, pornography, Facebook, and men’s sexual objectification of women. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 18(4), 257–267. https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000058Copy Skorska, M.N., Hodson, M.N., & Hoffarth, M.N. (2018). Experimental effects of degrading versus erotic pornography exposure in men on reactions toward women (objectification, sexism, discrimination). The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 27, 261 - 276.Copy Zhou, Y., Liu, T., Yan, Y., & Paul, B. (2021). Pornography use, two forms of dehumanization, and sexual aggression: Attitudes vs. behaviors. J.Sex Marital Ther., 47(6), 571-590. doi:10.1080/0092623X.2021.1923598Copy
People can fuel objectification. Objectification doesn’t just happen in porn—it can happen on social media and in person, too.
Hyper-focusing on other people’s bodies, scrutinizing or sexualizing people based on their clothing, or otherwise reducing people to their physical appearance is always objectification.
Examples of problematic comments objectifying real people on Fight the New Drug’s social media:
Objectification is demeaning, dismissive, and dehumanizing.
No one deserves to be objectified—not for any reason, or under any circumstance, ever.
If you notice yourself objectifying someone, consider asking yourself these questions:
- Why am I focusing solely on this person’s physical appearance?
- Is it this person’s responsibility to control my objectifying thoughts?
- How can I better take responsibility for my own thoughts and actions toward this person, and others in the future?
Real connection starts with seeing others as whole people with unique thoughts, feelings, dreams, struggles, and so much more.
Let’s be the kind of people who treat people like people, and not like objects.
