The Dangers of Objectification of Females - And Males

It's easy to think of members of the opposite sex as caricatures and stereotypes. When we do this, it's a natural tendency to objectify them, which leads to further harm and disconnection from true emotions.

We are all familiar with the objectification of women. We see it in the music videos, commercials, magazine covers, and other media examples where sexuality is played up. Women are reduced to their body parts - the size of their breasts and posteriors. Suitability for a relationship - especially a sexual one - is determined by the degree of pleasure the male estimates he will receive from coming into contact with her body.

But that's not the only objectification we see. Women are taught to objectify men, as well. They do this by seeing a man only as an ATM. His potential for a relationship is judged, not by his character or any barometer other than his income.

This objectification - viewing women as porn stars and men as ATMs - is a huge disservice to both genders. It makes emotional intimacy impossible and makes it easy for either gender to make degrading, harmful decisions about their mates or people they date because those people are not real human beings with feelings, but are only objects.

The problem here is that this objectification makes it more likely that father absence will show up in this picture, as the men who impregnate these women they see only as sexual objects are less likely to feel compelled to engage with them on any level to help with the children. And for the women who objectify the men, these women see these men only as financial resources, not as people who can provide emotional or mental support and assistance in the lives of the children they have created together.

Objectification by both genders can be a factor in father absence, and so must be addressed. Both genders must realize that their mates or members of the opposite sex are more than sexual objects or ATMs. They are people with feelings, hopes, goals, dreams, abilities, and strengths. Realizing this can help both genders see the other as more than simple objects.

This is important because it impacts our families. When we see each other beyond stereotypical objects and caricatures, we can get to the real issues that matter so we can address each other as human beings who can participate in the lives of our children.