Some Thoughts About 'Objectification of Women'

In history and even today, women objectification (or objectification of women) is an issue that discussions about it has been consistently done. Briefly, it means change the perception about the women's body or attitudes or both and transforming it like an object. However, the significant part that worth to mention is its history, its relation with religions and its current status.

In history(and sometimes even now), some religions were blamed in this regard. Particularly Islam exposed some unwarranted accusations about objectification of women. Because Islam attach great importance to marriage and spouse relationship. In Islam, spouses must be loyal to each other. They have to be careful about their behaviours toward strangers. In addition, they should be respectful to each other's demands. In this case, blamers said that Islam(and/or believers of Islam) objectifies woman due to this loyalty. They tried to humiliate the foundation of family. They added "if the wife have to mostly do whatever his husband want from her, Islam objectifies women." They considered as "Islam prohibits the women education and wives are only the servants of their husbands". Unfortunately, some of them was delibarately done (they knew that it's not like that but they did anyway) because the intention was change the perception about Islam's perspective to marriage and husband-wife relationship.

However, they had the wrong conclusions. In Islam, yes, loyalty is so important, yes, spouses must be careful about strangers and they need be really respectful to demands.  But, it doens't (and can't) mean that Islam objectifies women. Moreover, in Islam wives do not have to do whatever their husbands want from them. Women must educate themselves and additionally they can't be the servants of their husbands.

I cannot write all the rules or needs. I know and I hope that this point of view has changed and now, everybody is aware of this. But, I want to mention this to avoid some continuing biases or thoughts from the beginning.

Today, women objectification has moved to a new dimension. We don't generally hear new accusations towards religions and/or some foundations etc. However, it doesn't mean that objectification has ended. Unfortunately, it still continues; especially in the western societies. Interesting enough, western societies always emphasize democracy, personal freedom etc. Also, they are against slavery. Because objectification is modern style of slavery, I think. But, as mentioned, it doesn't mean that there is no objectification in western societies. 

Some blog readers or authorities may oppose this reality. I call it reality because it is real. I think it is obvious. However, for instance, music clips are homeland for objectification. In any music clips, you can see that women are objectified. Because they are always there to attract more viewers. They are generally semi-naked and they seem like the enjoying "objects" of men. This situaiton proves the women objectification We can multiply the examples. You can add movies, other media tools, etc. This is objectification because women are not individuals there.

All of these mean that objectification has not ended yet. And the we saw it generally in western societies. Of course, it is not only in western societies, it might be in anywhere on earth. The important part is its consequences indeed. It affects the world in a bad way. I think they don't aware that they are objectifiying women. Or, women are being used intentionally, which makes the statement worse.

In conclusion, I think objectification is quite bad and it must be stopped by authorities. Someone has to show up and try to conclude this. Because it affects the people in terms of viewpoint of women. Women are not free as considered and they must be saved from this situation.

Source for image: beautyredefined.net

Thank you for reading and I am waiting for your comments.

M. Enes ŞİMŞEK