Jennifer Drew: Harms of media’s sexualized portrayal of young women
The following commentary by Jennifer Drew is reprinted with her kind permission:
“The American Psychological Association published research yesterday
wherein they claim the media’s overwhelming one-dimensional obsession
with portraying young girls as sexualised commodoties, harms young
women’s physical and mental health.Interestingly, Professor Andrew Hill, professor of medical psychology at
the University of Leeds stated ‘it was hard to disagree with any of the
report’s conclusions.’I look forward to reading at some future date research proving that
sexual commodification of women also detrimentally harms adult women’s
physical and mental health. It must not be forgotten that sexual
commodification of both girls and adult women sends a clear message to
all men that females are simply sexualised commodities. It is hoped
that future research analyses not only how boys and adult men are
negatively affected but also reinforces ideologies of hegemonic
masculinities which presumes men as a group are superior to women and
that it is a male’s right to demand and expect sexual submission and
servicing because he happens to be male.Here is the link to the BBC report -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6376421.stmFor the full report go to http://www.apa.org/pi/wpo/sexualisation.html
See also
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/02/20/ngirls20xml“
Filed under: Uncategorized, Commentary
Hope this gets to someone who matters/cares.
As a 68yr old man married for 40 years, I have learnt to respect(however difficult it was)the views and opinions of my wife. I deplore the current “sex madness” that is going about today.Women,per se, have so much to offer the world, that it is no wonder that men will be extinct in the foreseeable future. We have made a mess of the world but will you be able to do better? Hope so!
wallyweta@paradise.net.nz