People often point to porn or advertisements as examples of objectification. They say that valuing a woman for her body, divorced from the fact "she's a person," is objectification.

I think a proper definition of objectification has to include the concept of lack of consent. My mere thoughts do not count as objectification; I have to take some action that strips a woman of her right to self-determination, or at least contemplate such an act. In other words; I actually have to treat a woman as an object, or consider actively doing so, for me to be guilty of objectification.

Under my definition, rape and groping count as objectification. Sexual harassment counts as objectification. Cat calls and over persistent sexual advances count as objectification.

Watching porn doesn't count, nor does sexually explicit advertising. Simply thinking of a woman in a purely physical, sexual light does not count.

Further, I think using the word to demonize things that don't fall under my definition demonizes the way males experience sexual attraction. I don't think men are sexually attracted to a woman's personality. This is not to say that men don't care about the personalities of the women they date; it just doesn't factor into the raw sexual desire men have for their girlfriends or wives. If men were sexually attracted to personality, there'd be a lot more in the way of plot and character development in porn. They'd spend a couple of hours talking to all the prostitutes on the street corner to find out which one they liked the most as a person (using a prostitute, btw - not objectification).

Merely outlining these last two scenarios illustrates how ridiculous the modern hate of objectification is to me. I've heard a lot of women say things that tell me they don't experience sexual attraction the way I'm describing. I'm not a girl; I'm not sure whether they do or not, all I can tell you is how I feel, as a man. So I guess I can understand where the sentiment comes from. But I think it's harmful.

I think the modern trend shames men and young boys for experiencing sexual attraction in a way that's perfectly healthy and natural for them. I think that's truly terrible and sad.

Advertisements and porn can be criticized in a lot of ways. Maybe they shame women for not having perfect bodies, create unrealistic expectations in men, teach men how to have bad sex...the list goes on.

But objectification is not and cannot be on that list, and including it is detrimental to young boys.

Come at me blue pillers.