Women as Sexual Objects - Both in Biblical and Modern Society
Introduction
Modern day media is everywhere, making it impossible to avoid. It is present in every part of our daily lives, influencing both our behaviour and our mind-set. Advertising has become one of the most important and widely used methods of media in today’s marketplace, a way for companies to communicate with potential customers. It affects our perception, thoughts and preferences, and our cultural values become almost defined by it.
Although modern society may have seen an increase in the number of women now achieving both high powered and high ranking jobs in areas such as commerce, politics, and industry, thereby becoming role models for girls everywhere, unfortunately the media, it seems, is still intent on portraying women as sexual objects, i.e. page three girls, scantily clad video game heroines, and the ever visible cleavage of many female actresses, both on cinema and television.
The continuing development and expansion of the internet and mobile phone industries have proved only to aid this sexual portrayal, with young girls performing sexual acts, whilst being recorded, and then posting them to the web, or sending revealing photographs of themselves via messages on their phones to anyone who wants them. Aggressive advertising campaigns, new fashion trends, and the increase in both alcohol and drug consumption have all led to many young women fully embracing this role of sexual object and plaything.
And it seems from what we read in certain Biblical passages, for example Genesis 34 and 38, and 2 Samuel 13,that women have throughout time always been used and abused by men, and then in the main been cast aside when their usefulness sexually has ended.
Is there any justification for the actions of men who treat women merely as sexual objects, who are the real victims, and is it their nature or society which has led them to be the way they are?
The Old Testament Patriarchal System
The patriarchal system of the Old Testament
Modern day media is everywhere, making it impossible to avoid. It is present in every part of our daily lives, influencing both our behaviour and our mind-set. Advertising has become one of the most important and widely used methods of media in today’s marketplace, a way for companies to communicate with potential customers. It affects our perception, thoughts and preferences, and our cultural values become almost defined by it.
Although modern society may have seen an increase in the number of women now achieving both high powered and high ranking jobs in areas such as commerce, politics, and industry, thereby becoming role models for girls everywhere, unfortunately the media, it seems, is still intent on portraying women as sexual objects, i.e. page three girls, scantily clad video game heroines, and the ever visible cleavage of many female actresses, both on cinema and television.
The continuing development and expansion of the internet and mobile phone industries have proved only to aid this sexual portrayal, with young girls performing sexual acts, whilst being recorded, and then posting them to the web, or sending revealing photographs of themselves via messages on their phones to anyone who wants them. Aggressive advertising campaigns, new fashion trends, and the increase in both alcohol and drug consumption have all led to many young women fully embracing this role of sexual object and plaything.
And it seems from what we read in certain Biblical passages, for example Genesis 34 and 38, and 2 Samuel 13,that women have throughout time always been used and abused by men, and then in the main been cast aside when their usefulness sexually has ended.
Is there any justification for the actions of men who treat women merely as sexual objects, who are the real victims, and is it their nature or society which has led them to be the way they are?
The Old Testament Patriarchal System
The patriarchal system of the Old Testament
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