Objectification and Dismemberment of women

1. Objectification and Dismemberment of women Presented by Hannah Scheffler Adapted by M. Giancola

2. Disclaimer: Due to the nature of this topic there may be some more explicit images and pictures shown in an effort to present the extent to which women are objectified and dismembered

3. Objectification • Defined as when “a woman’s body, body parts, or sexual functions are separated out from her person, reduced to the status of mere instruments, or regarded as if they were capable of representing her” (Fredrickson 175) • OR “To be represented or regarded as an object” • When does objectification take place? • Advertisements • Magazines • Billboards • Music videos • Television

4. How are the following women being represented?

8. Women in the Advertisements • White, young, thin • No blemishes • Perfect hair • Big breasts • Curvy hips • Flat stomachs

9. Perfection • Airbrushing • “the process of manipulating a photograph to hide flaws and create a better image” (Tartkovsky) • Photoshop • Typically, replacing a part or parts of a woman’s body with other than her own • Magazines defend retouching stating that the edited photos are “just images or fantasy”

11. DOVE EVOLUTION COMMCERICAL • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

12. Effects of Objectification • Depression, low self-esteem, body shame • Eating disorders • 1 in 4 college women uses method of weight control • Models today weigh 23% less than average woman, 20 yrs. ago weighed 8% less • 10x more ads and articles in women’s magazines compared to men’s

13. Body Dissatisfaction • “experience of negative thoughts and esteem about one’s body” (Dittmar 1) • Connected to negative self-perception, emotional states, and body-related behaviors • Study found that girls who read women’s magazines more frequently were more likely to think about the “perfect” body and be dissatisfied with their own (“Media’s”)

14. Self-objectification • When women and girls view themselves from an observer’s perspective and “learn to be more concerned with observable (things that are SEEN) body attributes rather than focusing on non-observable body attributes such as feelings and internal bodily states” (Greening)

15. Reality Check • To the women in the classroom: • How has the media affected your self image? • How have you witnessed the affect of objectification on the women you know? • To the men in the classroom: • How has the media affected your image of women? • How have you witnessed the affect of objectification on the women you know?

16. Dismemberment • Focus on one part of woman’s body while ignoring all the other parts (Greening)

17. Examples of Dismemberment • In the following media texts, we will see examples of dismemberment. • How does each text “dismember” women? • Does the dismemberment help sell their product? Why or Why not?

18. Lit – Miserable (1999) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMOeTLLeaDU

19. Baby’s Got Back – Sir Mix-a-lot • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=897zysJHE74

22. What do you think the affects of “dismemberment” are?

23. Effects of Dismemberment • Woman trained to view her body in parts, not as whole • Appearance anxiety • Depression • Sexual dysfunction • Eating disorders • Damage self-respect

24. Conclusion • Objectification and Dismemberment are prevalent in advertising and magazines • Both detrimental to women’s well-being • Not all implications known • Effects women to varying degrees • Awareness leading to end of objectification and dismemberment

25. Follow-up Writing Piece • Women – Reflect on your own experiences with objectification and dismemberment. HOW HAS OBJECTIFICATION AFFECTED YOU AND THE WOMEN AROUND YOU? Be specific. • Men - Reflect on your own experiences with objectification and dismemberment. HOW HAS OBJECTIFICATION AFFECTED YOUR VEIW AND TREATMENT OF WOMEN? Be specific.

26. Follow-up Writing Piece • Answer the preceding question in a 1 page, hand written reflection. • Due at the end of the period (if time permits).

27. Works Cited • "Beauty and Body Image in the Media." Media Awareness Network. 2009. Media Awareness Network. 22 Apr 2009 <http://www.mediaawareness.ca/ english/issues/stereotyping/women_and_girls/women_beauty.cfm>. • “Body Image.” Our Bodies Ourselves Health Resource Center. 2005. Boston Women’s Health Book Collective. 22 Apr 2009 <http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/ book/excerpt.asp?id=2>. • Dittmar, Helga. “How Do ‘Body Perfect’ Ideals In The Media Have A Negative Impact On Body Image and Behaviors? Factors and Processes Related To Self And Identity.” Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology 28.1 (Jan. 2009): 1-8. EBSCO MegaFILE. EBSCO. Berntsen Library, St. Paul, MN. 22 Apr. 2009 <http://0-search.ebscohost.com.clicnet4.clic.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=keh&AN=36604149&site=ehost-live>. • Fredrickson, Barbara L. and Tomi-Ann Roberts. “Objectification Theory: Toward Understanding Women’s Lived Experiences and Mental Health Risks.” Psychology of Women Quarterly 21(1997): 173-206. 22 Apr 2009 <http://www.sanchezlab.com/pdfs/FredricksonRoberts.pdf>. • Greening, Kacey D. "The Objectification and Dismemberment of Women in the Media." Capital University. Undergraduate Research Community. 22 Apr 2009 <http://www.kon.org/urc/v5/greening.html>. • Katele, Stephanie. "Violence Against Women in Mass Media." Ezine Articles.com. 27 Jan 2005. Ezine Articles. 22 Apr 2009 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Violence-Against-Women-in-Mass-Media&id=11391>. • Kilbourne, Jean. "Beauty...and the Beast of Advertising." Center for Media Literacy. 2007. Center for Media Literacy. 22 Apr 2009 <http://www.medialit.org/ reading_room/article40.html>. • “Media’s Effect On Girls: Body Image And Gender Identity.” National Institute on Media and the Family. 3 Apr 2009. National Institute on Media and the Family. 22 Apr 2009 <http://www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_mediaeffect.shtml>. • Tartakovsky, Margarita. "The Art of Airbrushing." PsychCentral. 9 Dec 2008. 22 Apr 2009 <http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/12/09/the-art-of-airbrushing/>.