Understanding Female Objectification and Sexualization in the Media

• In Event: 306 - Section on Sociology of Sexualities Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 05. Mediating Sexualities

Abstract

This paper aims to examine how women within the media are stigmatized and labeled. Using stigma (Goffman, 1963) and labeling theory (Becker, 1963), I show that women are objectified, stigmatized and labeled not only by men but by other women as well. A brief history of feminism is explored starting from the Enlightenment and the rise of radical feminist in the 1960’s to show that feminist fought for equality of the sexes and a woman’s right to determine her own life and sexuality. I outline the two different types of feminist theory and show that the belief that men are the only oppressors of women must be reevaluated. Using a content analysis of music videos and their comments as well as newspaper articles (e.g. YouTube, The Huffington Post), it is shown that within our society women are labeled and stigmatized by both sexes. Further information is presented discussing current and past research that dismisses a woman’s sexual agency, which denies a woman’s right to self-sexualize. Additionally, information is presented on the power social networks within our society to dramatically change social norms.

Author

• Mara Juliao, Texas Tech University