How Does Bilmes Use Women As Ornaments
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Writing 121, Group ____
November 26, 2013
Women as Ornaments
Women have spent decades trying to become men’s equal in the United States, instead of being treated as objects. Now, the emphasis that our society has placed on appearance and body image has women yearning to be the prettiest, sexiest ‘objects’ around. As women look around in the world today, it is hard not to see advertisements or videos that suggest ‘beauty is everything’. The media is constantly turning attention onto young women with make-up caked faces and, even sometimes, underweight, unhealthy bodies. Esquire editor Alex Bilmes stated at a panel discussion on feminism “One of the things men like is a picture of pretty girls. So we provide them with pictures …show more content…
Esquire editor Alex Bilmes sums up this mindset with three simple words: “Women are objects.” (Hamilton) While many men most likely do not share Mr. Bilmes’ views to this extreme, they most certainly support and encourage it through their actions, albeit subconsciously. Much of this support stems from the pornography industry, which idolizes women primarily as sex objects. Men are the most common customers when it comes to pornography (men at 72% of the customer base and women at 28%); therefore, men are the primary source of encouragement suggesting that women’s role should be as visually attractive objects. (Pornography Statistics) As men long to see women in real life look as the women do from their pornography, a new standard for beauty is slowly encouraged until it begins to normalize and feel natural to women. Mr. Bilmes also refers to women stating, “It’s a thing you might want to look at.” (Hamilton) Comments such as this capture in its essence what sort of underlying messages women’s minds have absorbed throughout the years of their lives, even subconsciously. Once a seed has been planted in one’s mind, it only takes water to let it grow and flourish. Just as the seed was planted, men simply suggested women take on a more beautiful and sexier appeal to compete with women from magazines and videos, and the idea has spread rampantly throughout the entire American
Writing 121, Group ____
November 26, 2013
Women as Ornaments
Women have spent decades trying to become men’s equal in the United States, instead of being treated as objects. Now, the emphasis that our society has placed on appearance and body image has women yearning to be the prettiest, sexiest ‘objects’ around. As women look around in the world today, it is hard not to see advertisements or videos that suggest ‘beauty is everything’. The media is constantly turning attention onto young women with make-up caked faces and, even sometimes, underweight, unhealthy bodies. Esquire editor Alex Bilmes stated at a panel discussion on feminism “One of the things men like is a picture of pretty girls. So we provide them with pictures …show more content…
Esquire editor Alex Bilmes sums up this mindset with three simple words: “Women are objects.” (Hamilton) While many men most likely do not share Mr. Bilmes’ views to this extreme, they most certainly support and encourage it through their actions, albeit subconsciously. Much of this support stems from the pornography industry, which idolizes women primarily as sex objects. Men are the most common customers when it comes to pornography (men at 72% of the customer base and women at 28%); therefore, men are the primary source of encouragement suggesting that women’s role should be as visually attractive objects. (Pornography Statistics) As men long to see women in real life look as the women do from their pornography, a new standard for beauty is slowly encouraged until it begins to normalize and feel natural to women. Mr. Bilmes also refers to women stating, “It’s a thing you might want to look at.” (Hamilton) Comments such as this capture in its essence what sort of underlying messages women’s minds have absorbed throughout the years of their lives, even subconsciously. Once a seed has been planted in one’s mind, it only takes water to let it grow and flourish. Just as the seed was planted, men simply suggested women take on a more beautiful and sexier appeal to compete with women from magazines and videos, and the idea has spread rampantly throughout the entire American