What is the relationship between sexualization and interpersonal trust? The term "sexualization" refers to how people view others based on their gender, race, age, appearance, and sexual orientation. It can also involve looking at someone's clothing style, body language, gestures, voice tone, mannerisms, physical features, and even sexual desires. Sexualization often involves objectification, which means treating someone like an object rather than a human being. People who are sexualized tend to feel less secure, confident, valued, respected, listened to, understood, and accepted. They may experience isolation, loneliness, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, shame, guilt, anger, sadness, and fear.
How does sexualization influence interpersonal trust? When two people meet for the first time, they may become sexually attracted to each other. This can lead to a sense of excitement and closeness that may be misinterpreted as genuine intimacy.
Once the initial attraction fades away, reality sets in. The person becomes aware of differences in values, beliefs, personalities, interests, goals, backgrounds, and skills. The person begins to notice inconsistencies or flaws in the partner's behavior or personality. As the person realizes that the relationship was based on superficial attractions, he/she may lose interest and move on. If the person has been emotionally invested in the relationship, feelings of disappointment, betrayal, and rejection arise. This is because the trust built during the courtship phase is now lost.
What about professional relationships? In business, sexual harassment is commonplace. It is when one employee makes unwelcome advances towards another employee, usually through inappropriate comments, touching, jokes, gestures, or emails. Sexual harassment affects both male and female employees, but women suffer more. They often feel uncomfortable reporting such incidents due to social stigma and retaliation from their employer. Some men even use sexualized power games to boost their status and control over others. Such behaviors undermine productivity, collaboration, creativity, morale, motivation, loyalty, and commitment. Victims tend to leave work early, quit, file lawsuits, or suffer stress-related illnesses.
Sexualization can influence interpersonal trust, credibility, and professional relationships negatively. People who are objectified become vulnerable targets for manipulation and abuse. Their self-esteem suffers, making them less likely to share ideas, opinions, and knowledge openly with others. Trust between partners and co-workers decreases as they realize that their interactions were not genuine.
In what ways does sexualized perception influence interpersonal trust, credibility, and professional relationships?
Sexualization can have several impacts on interpersonal relationships within both personal and professional spheres. In terms of trust and credibility, individuals may be more likely to trust someone who they view as sexually attractive, leading them to overlook potential red flags or warning signs that might indicate untrustworthiness. This can lead to situations where an individual is taken advantage of or harmed by their romantic partner due to misplaced trust.