I'd like to discuss the term "Objectification", as used in this article

Neurotikitty · 2012-06-20T12:53:16+00:00

Yeah, I really don't think checking someone out counts as "objectifying" them. You objectify a human being when you decide to discard their feelings, rights, and sovereignty, and treat them as if they were literally an object. I think, for example, domestic abuse "objectifies" people. Lusting after them from the privacy of your own mind is not objectifying them... unless you go up to them and completely violate their rights as a person in order to get what you want (rape, essentially).

We need to stop throwing that word around.

toblotron · 2012-06-20T09:32:29+00:00

To me the term seems wrongheaded, and designed to shame any men who are attracted to women; if you desire women you are "making objects" of them, or treating them as objects (which I think is something practically everybody agrees is a negative thing).

This is clearly false, as men are not (typically) sexually attracted to objects, but to other humans, typically women. -No mere object could give rise to the same feelings or desires in a man (or a woman, toward a man). Please note that I am talking about the typical case here, both for men and women, as there Is a small minority of both that are in fact sexually as well as romantically attracted to inanimate objects.

My complaints with the term, in short

It is a verb - implying that this is something Men are actively Doing/perpetrating against women, while in fact there is precious little personal choice involved in desiring something
It claims desiring someone based on their appearance "makes the desired person an object", which is just BS, as people do not desire to have sex with objects, and if they do it is in order to simulate having sex with a person

AnthonyZarat · 2012-06-20T12:52:34+00:00

"Explore the cost. Remember that objectifying women isn’t bad or wrong. It just comes at a cost."

There is also a cost to NOT objectifying women. This leads to relationships, which in turn lead to maltreatment by legal and institutional discrimination against men. You will find out what REAL objectification is, when a family court judge amputates your children from your life and your heart, and leaves behind nothing but an ATM machine.

"When I’m in pain or avoiding feeling something, I default to habits such as objectifying women. That doesn’t mean it’s okay or not okay."

Most men do this out of fear, not pain. For a therapist, you are completely out of touch with the reality of modern men.

"Get connected. When I objectify women, it’s because I feel disconnected, less present, less in my heart, and less in my body."

The opposite is true. Men are connecting with each other, forming intimate bonds and close friendships. As to the one remaining "need", some men learn to live without it, some men turn to online image galleries, and other men take the risk of very brief and limited contact with women. I neither judge nor blame any of them.

"Appreciation. Once I get connected to me again, I notice how I can appreciate a beautiful woman and I’m in my body, connected to my heart. It has a totally different quality."

Men who connect with other men will see a vast ocean of pain and neglect that runs through the lives of men, boys, and fathers. We have no need to "connect" with ourselves. Our path is clear before us. The only question is, do we have the resolve and the courage to walk it.

2012-06-20T16:41:00+00:00

The qualifier is "To see them as objects (instead of real people)." The rest of it is just throwaway text designed to confuse and muddy the waters.

2012-06-22T02:11:36+00:00

Objectify: To stare, gawk, or check out women and their bodies and body parts. To see them as objects (instead of real people) and to think of them in a sexual way

This definition is incredibly flawed. It assumes that sexually motivated viewing of women and viewing them as real people are mutually exclusive.

If I ever "check out" a woman, as my biology drives me to, I also view her as a real human being too.

My usual response, I wanna stick my dick in a person, not a piece of meat.

Title	I'd like to discuss the term "Objectification", as used in this article
Author	toblotron
Upvotes	2
Comments	11
Date	June 20, 2012 9:19 AM UTC (14 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/vbl4p/id_like_to_discuss_the_term_objectification_as/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/id-like-to-discuss-the-term-objectification-as.1019409 https://theredarchive.com/post/1019409

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