Ted Talk about Objectification of Women

[jessesage]

I'd love to hear what yall on this site think about this, especially in relation to pin up. 

NEW and improved link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMS4VJKekW8

 

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

The link doesn't work. 

[jessesage]

Thank you! Fixed link now. :)

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

I only watched a few mins and I can't watch any more. Because I didn't watch the whole thing, I'm not going to comment too much, but I do want to say that in the first 45 seconds this chick pissed me off.

Being a sex object IS VERY empowering! It's one of the reasons we're pinups!

She says, "In the 60's and 70's we took a stand against sexual objectification." Really? Interesting, because that was when our society took a turn for the worst. Before the late 60's, ladies acted and dressed like ladies. Then they were told they do could do more, be more, get more....all they had to do was be equal to men....and look what happened, we gave up our sexuality! Over the next few decades women forgot what it was to be sexy and lady-like. And then, when a new generation came along and wanted to be sexy again, there were no real role models to show them how, because their mothers had rebelled against it. So we have today's modern version of sexy....slutty, trampy, the furthest thing from being a lady! 

Oops, sorry... went on a rant there. I feel very strongly about this topic. :)

Being sexy isin't about giving up your power. It's about getting it back. And no woman can be objectified unless she lets herself be. We don't dress this way/look this way/act this way so that men will love us and want us (although it's a nice side effect), we are sexy because WE love it. It makes feel good, and powerful. If I woman comes to me and gives me a hard time, or puts me down for letting myself be "objectified", my first thought is what happened to her in her past. Who took advantage of her? Who hurt her... and why did she let them? It's not me who needs to change, it's these women who think sexy is wrong. Go to therapy, work it out, and then go shopping! You need a dress, a corset and some very high heels!

[jessesage]

Thanks for your thoughtful response! I did watch the whole thing, but I felt sort of similarly to you the whole time - she seems to be missing something. My rule of thumb is "are people doing it because it makes them truly happy"? and if the answer is yes, and not because men like it for example, then that's wonderful. 

While of course there are many people in the media being objectified in ways they don't want, the speaker doesn't elaborate how there can be different types of sexy - as if sexy = bad. 

I also think there's a difference between images produced by men, for men, where the model has no say, and images made in a more "indie" way by the models, photographers, or other thoughtful (sometimes male, yes) designers. What do you think?