Muted Group Theory

At times it seems odd that a divide still exists between the equality of women and men in today's world. Many women have proven that they can be just as successful as a man in many careers, including in the business world. Yet, there are still men who believe that women deserve less pay for the same positions. As well, there are still men who believe women are overall less superior and are more or less merely objects for their own personal pleasure and use. In my mind, it is this objectification of women that is the leading cause of the continuation of the inequality that women face. 

Each day I witness this degradation of women almost everywhere I go. As I drive around town I often come across images of scandalously dressed women next to beer bottles, cars and many other products being advertised. There are streets, such as Federal, that are lined with strip clubs and adult bookstores. The signs often proclaim statements such as "gentleman's club." If this is what a gentlemen does than I want no part in it. These signs exemplify the horrendous way that the culture treats women. Women are literally exposed, used and thrown away on a daily basis by the "gentleman" of our society. 

I realize that this is not the case with every man in society and that there are those people who daily fight against it, but it still remains a wide spread problem that should not exist. I also realize that there are many factors that contribute to this problem. For example, there are women who willing take part in institutions such as strip clubs and pornography because they see no other way to make money to provide for their families. Some of the women may have been abused and are no longer able to see their self-worth. There are numerous other possibilities as well, but suffice it to say that they are far from happily employed and it is unlikely that they really feel as though they are living a "free choice." 

Having read and watched interviews, I know that there are women who would deny what I have said and would attempt to persuade the world that they are happily doing what they do. I am not convinced by such stories and it saddens me that such women cannot admit the truth about the pain and emptiness they undoubtedly feel inside. The use of denial is their attempt to cover the many wounds of their lives in order to convince themselves that they are in control of their lives and bodies. Many people may read this and be infuriated because "who am I as a man to make such claims." If this happens to be your response, then I invite you to think about how you would feel if your daughter, sister, mother etc. decided it was the "career" path for them. I know I do not want any woman I know to be used as some strange mans object for his selfish sexual pleasure.

Unfortunately, another problem that contributes to this treatment of women are the numerous men in the world who struggle with sexual addictions. Many of these men agree with what I write, and yet they cannot seem to stop themselves from using women for the same selfish self gratifying purposes. 

Outside of the most obvious industries we find the advertising and entertainment world. As earlier mentioned, the over sexualization of women in advertising is rampant in our society. It seems as though the only thing that can sell many products is a half naked woman. In movies and television shows, women are often portrayed in similar ways as over sexualized beings who long to pleasure men. Even when a woman is shown to have dignity by turning down some creepy or overtly sexual guy, she often ends up sleeping with "the man of her dreams" in a later scene. She may have not slept with just anyone, but in the end she was still willing to jump in bed with someone as long as he is attractive. 

My point in all of this is not to demonize all entertainment and advertising, nor is it to say that we should do away with all things of the "flesh" and go back to a puritanical view of the body and women's sexuality. It is not necessary for women to wear dresses down to their ankles, but it also does no good to do the exact opposite and wear practically nothing. I also do not intended to be over zealous with the statements I have made. Rather, I am attempting to point to the great injustice that is being allowed daily against women. This injustice is not just being inflicted by men, but also by the women who do not demand that the men in their own lives treat them with respect and dignity. There are other factors, such as money and greed that contribute to the objectification of women, but I truly believe that the greatest reason women are still not equals in this world is because we, as men and women, allow for women to be continually portrayed and used as mere sexual objects. It is time for men and women alike to say no to the dehumanizing objectification of women.