The objectification of women is a complex issue that involves societal and cultural factors. It has been greatly discussed at different levels, from school to social media. Although both men and women can be objectified, women are more likely to be seen as parts than as a whole. According to the article,’Our Brains See Men as Whole and Women as Parts” by Pappas (2012) our brains tend to pick up images of women differently from men.
According to the article, women are reduced to their body parts. People, mainly men, will zoom in on body parts such as breasts or buttocks. Regardless of how attractive or unattractive a woman might be, her individual body parts will always be discerned. Although men are mainly zooming in on women’s sexual body parts, women also see other women as parts. Comparison in women is more prevalent, women normally scrutinize other women’s part which can be detrimental to mental health, leading to shame, poor mood, or eating disorders.
While it is true that women can contribute to the objectification of other women, some people argue that it is important to understand this behavior from a societal lens. In other words, some people defend that the objectification of women, by women, is often a result of ingrained societal norms and expectations rather than a deliberate effort to devalue women. These messages are often reinforced by media, advertising, and popular culture, which can lead to women evaluating themselves and others based on physical appearance and sexual appeal.
One venue where we can see the scrutiny of body parts is social media platforms, which often prioritize and amplify images and content related to physical appearance. There is a strong focus on portraying an idealized version of beauty, which can lead to comparisons and feelings of inadequacy among users, particularly women. The constant exposure to carefully curated and filtered images can create unrealistic standards of beauty and reinforce the objectification of women based on their physical attributes.
Whether the objectification of women is ingrained in our brains or socially nurtured, social media has exacerbated the objectification of women’s parts. Instagram, one of the largest social media platforms, is filled with girls sharing their bared booty on Instagram. People are obsessed with enhancing body parts to enhance their sexual appeal.
According to different news sources, Brazilian Butt Lifts (BLLs) are more popular than ever. However, this cosmetic procedure has become as well the most dangerous one. In the documentary “You’ll Be Happier” (2023)[1], by a member of The New Yorker’s editorial staff, it is discussed how the healing process is extremely painful and it can take months for recovery. Additionally, if lipids are injected into the bloodstream and pushed into the heart or lungs, this can result in death.
Even though BLLs can be awfully dangerous, women are willing to take the risk. At the beginning of the aforementioned documentary, we can hear a woman saying, “I want to like myself more…more than I already like myself.” She continues. “Because I absolutely love myself. But I just want . . . more,” This statement shows how women constantly evaluate their worth based on their body parts, trying to maintain a specific standard of beauty and self–criticism if they feel they don’t meet those standards.
Enhancing physical attributes seems to be correlated to the need of being seen, but being seen does not imply being seen as a whole, it implies being seen as parts. This emphasis on enhancing “parts” is detrimental to mental health since you are constantly trying to increase your social worth based on how your body looks, or its parts, rather than who you are as a complete human being.
The relationship between appearance and mental health is complex and multifaceted. While there is no direct causal link between the two, there can be various ways in which appearance may impact an individual’s mental well-being. Concerns about one’s appearance (e.g., how big or small my booty is) can contribute to feelings of anxiety or depression. Some women may experience social anxiety, fearing judgment or criticism from others based on their physical appearance.
Women, like men, are not immune to internalizing societal biases and expectations. Women may adopt a critical and judgmental attitude towards themselves and other women, perpetuating the cycle of competition. Some women engage in competition based on appearance to gain external validation and acceptance, as well as to boost self–esteem. However, this competition is often fueled by insecurity, leading to mental health issues such as sadness and low self-worth.
The objectification of women’s body parts is undoubtedly a complex issue. Based on studies, it is proven that our brain does not process images of men and women equally. Socially, objectification is strongly nurtured by different means, social media being the main one. However, it is important to remember that the objectification of women, by women, has more detrimental consequences for women. Women are the main actors who engage in negative behaviors that prioritize appearance over other aspects of their own well-being.
[1] https://www.newyorker.com/video/watch/youll-be-happier-the-story-of-a-butt-lift
References
- Pappas, S. (2012). Our brains see men as whole and women as parts. Scientific American. Retrieved from http://www. scientificamerican. com/article. cfm.
