Sexualization is a process that involves the objectification of people based on their gender, body shape, sexual orientation, age, race, culture, disabilities, income, religion, language, nationality, etc. It can be expressed through media such as advertising, television shows, movies, music videos, fashion magazines, pornography, social networks, online forums, etc. Sexualizing someone transforms them into an object that can be admired for its physical characteristics, desires, and actions rather than its personality, abilities, thoughts, values, knowledge, experiences, feelings, etc. This phenomenon affects both men and women equally but differently. Men are often pressured to act like macho figures while women are expected to look sexy and appealing. The media portrayal of sex has increased drastically during the last decades due to technological advances and cultural shifts.
This representation has resulted in unrealistic expectations around responsibility and accountability because it encourages individuals to seek instant gratification without considering consequences or other people's needs.
The primary purpose of human interaction is to build relationships based on mutual respect, support, care, trust, love, intimacy, empathy, understanding, and acceptance. When these values become secondary, partners fail to communicate effectively and compromise adequately. As a result, they may engage in risky behaviors like cheating, infidelity, manipulation, lying, aggression, addiction, and violence. These actions create significant emotional damage that might lead to severe mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, fear, guilt, shame, and anger. In some cases, it leads to legal problems like rape charges, divorce, domestic violence, sexual harassment, discrimination, abuse, and even murder. Therefore, sexualized perception can negatively impact society by increasing crime rates, decreasing social cohesion, worsening economic conditions, lowering productivity, and damaging personal lives.
Sexualization transforms relationships into power struggles where one person controls the other using their body, desires, appearance, money, etc. It encourages selfishness and reduces empathy towards others.
Men who have been objectified since childhood are more likely to use women for sex without caring about their wellbeing. They see them as objects to satisfy their physical desires rather than real people with feelings, needs, goals, dreams, ambitions, hopes, fears, and worries. Similarly, women are pressured to act according to male expectations instead of their own principles and preferences. They feel obligated to dress or behave seductively regardless of how they feel about themselves. These situations lead to low self-esteem, poor body image, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, insecurity, depression, suicide attempts, etc. Sexualized perception also affects children because it teaches them that only attractive people matter in life and that they must be physically perfect to be loved and accepted. This message makes them vulnerable to peer pressure, bullying, manipulation, and exploitation.
Sexualized perception has negative effects on individuals' behavior because it encourages instant gratification without considering consequences or other people's needs. It transforms partners into objects that can be used and discarded at any time which damages society by increasing crime rates, decreasing social cohesion, worsening economic conditions, lowering productivity, and damaging personal lives. Therefore, everyone should work together to combat this phenomenon through education campaigns, legislation changes, cultural shifts, media awareness, parental guidance, mental health support, and personal responsibility.
How does sexualized perception modify expectations around responsibility and accountability?
The sexualization of an individual can affect their sense of responsibility and accountability in various ways. When someone is viewed as sexually desirable, they may be held to different standards than those who are not perceived in this manner. This can create a double standard where certain behaviors that would otherwise be seen as unacceptable are tolerated or even encouraged when it comes to attractive individuals.