Hi all! I hope that you are having a pleasant day. I just wanted to ask this question: do dress styles contribute to the objectification of women? I've been thinking about this since I heard a speech which discussed the effects of the exposed female figure (the woman's body) on the mind of a man. Thanks for reading this, and answering if you answer lol.
Hi IAMABAP. (sorry, I have to call you this since my boyfriend did last year) I think it's important not to confuse sexual arousal or thoughts about a person with objectification. I see men looking at women (sometimes me) all the time, and it does happen more regularly when the girl is nicely dressed (skirt, tights, dresses, cleavage on show, heels etc) But what are those men thinking? For most, probably not much beyond fleeting, semi-conscious thoughts about sex, or "wow!" Maybe they become a bit self-conscious and then look away. Women also do this when they see an attractive man. Yet I have never thought of men as objects. Mostly, being attracted to someone physically is a form of mild admiration- nothing more or less. It means very little beyond "I'm a mammal with fleeting urges and drives." There are those men who will leer, and you just know they're thinking of you as an object. But these men tend to be the ones who will pick out any women at all regardless of what they're wearing. Weaker, smaller ones are favoured. These are the messed up men, and there is no matter what society is doing in regards to female image, they'd probably be the same. I think that if women dress nicely or have their bodies on show it should be expected they'll get a few glances- and they can be flattered. This is not objectification in itself, it is a compliment. Objectification is an issue which springs from disturbed minds, and one which I think has a far more complex basis than what kind of dress someone is wearing. To stop seeing a person as human because of sexual impulses is a psychological defect which I think it would be foolish to blame on magazines, fashion or the fact that the girl on the train was too hot so wore less clothes that day.
What I really don't get is WHY beautiful women paint their faces and push their boobs out of their shirts. It doesn't offend me or anything, but I wonder. Over-grooming and styling doesn't appeal to me. All people need is a little washing from time to time imo. Heavily styled women don't usually look very comfortable. A man might see her as a sex object but she might see herself as a fashion object. Both are objectification and both are somewhat removed from the intellectual connections people are capable of.
If a woman is beautiful, she's going to get looked at regardless of what she's wearing. Yes, short skirts and cleavage shorten the time it takes for someones mind to wander into dirty thoughts.
I didn't mean to generalize like every time a person is sexy it's plastic and hollow. I just don't have the sexy bone. I wouldn't wear painfull shoes unless I was certain I was socially obligated to like standing in my best friend's wedding.
I think natural women are much more beautiful. I appreciate the creativity that goes into fashion so I can't really say anything about the clothes one wears, but I think wearing make up takes away from a woman's natural beauty. Also, like you said, women that are overdone just don't look comfortable. I think being comfortable in one's own skin is the single most attractive quality either of the sexes could possess.
All humans need attention. The degrees of this vary and for a number of social reasons, young women are often seeking sexual attention. It could be a lack of self-confidence or a sincere belief that that makeup or getting their boobs out will improve their social position. It could be a sincere but misguided attempt to attract more sexual partners. It could also not be an unfulfilled need at all and simply come down to their preference. They may prefer the look of themselves with makeup and low tops.
Obiously, but it's just hard to grasp for certain peeps (like me). It's not like it's pissing me of either but it just feels so pointless to see them trying to accentuate their beauty but actually covering it up/camouflaging it with their make up OR whoring it out. It doesn't bother me in the slighest way, I like short tops and eye shadow as well, it's just such a shame it's overdone by, it seems, the majority!
I don't mind being admired for my looks or my dress. I don't dress to draw attention. But if I'm some guys idea of good looking, hell! Great. And if he goes home and does something because my looks aroused him, I wouldn't know about it anyway.
