OBJECTIFICATION Meaning and
Definition
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Objectification is a term used to describe the process of reducing a person or group to the status of an object, often for the purpose of gratifying one's desires or interests. It is the act of treating individuals as though they are mere objects or commodities, devoid of their unique qualities, emotions, and human rights. Objectifying someone involves disregarding their autonomy, agency, and dignity, reducing them to a means or tool for one's own purposes.
In the context of gender, objectification commonly refers to the portrayal or perception of women as objects of sexual desire, rather than as whole individuals with their own thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. It involves reducing women to their physical appearance, focusing on their body parts or sexual attributes, and valuing them primarily for their external beauty or sexual appeal. This kind of objectification contributes to the reinforcement of harmful gender stereotypes, perpetuates inequality, and can lead to various forms of discrimination and violence against women.
However, it is important to note that objectification is not solely limited to gender and can occur in various social contexts, such as race, age, and socioeconomic status. It can perpetuate harmful power dynamics and contribute to the dehumanization of individuals or groups. Objectification is widely criticized as it undermines the fundamental principles of respect, equality, and dignity for all human beings.
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Etymology of OBJECTIFICATION
The word "objectification" is derived from the noun "objectify" which originated from the English word "object", a term borrowed from the Latin word "objectum". In Latin, "objectum" is the neuter form of the past participle of "objectare" meaning "to throw before" or "to place before". The term evolved in English to refer to something external or independent of the mind, such as a thing or a matter. In a philosophical context, "objectification" specifically refers to the act of treating a person as an object or a thing, rather than as a human being with thoughts, feelings, and autonomy. It gained prominence in feminist theory to describe the reduction of women to mere objects, often for the gratification or pleasure of others.
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