I have a question, mainly for women but all are welcome to answer. How do women feel about inequality in men and women nudity and objectification in the western or North American society specifically? some examples would be women always being objectified in movies/tv shows/ads while men are rarely objectified. Women wear very small clothing (bikinis/g strings) on beaches while men are mainly covered until knees with board shorts. even in men's perfume or underwear ads, women are always shown in skimpy clothing and dancing around men? society tells women to wear very tight/skimpy sometime uncomfortable clothing while men can get away with anything, baggy shirts, baggy pants, etc...so, just want to know how do women feel about this aspect of society where they women nudity is forced upon women by the society? do they feel its right or feel angry about it? lets hear from them
Opinions from ladies
- Thread starter Sam0021
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AllieHeidi
Legendary Member
I honestly feel like women are more free to explore different clothing styles and looks without being seen as "socially deviant" compared to men.
You gave an example of baggy shirts, baggy pants, etc. Women have been able to wear those styles without social judgment or consequences. For a time in the 90s, it was even the style and considered attractive (i.e. see 90s female R&B artists like Aaliyah, TLC, Xscape - video below).
Men are the ones who are more socially restricted when it comes to wearing skimpy clothing or anything deemed "too feminine." Especially in the US. A man wearing a speedo to go swimming, for example, is seen as effeminate and "less manly" in America, whereas in places like Australia and Europe it's more common and has no bearing on a man's "manliness social scorecard" whatsoever.
I, personally, am more "masculine-presenting" in my style but I've been like this for decades and have always been seen as a tomboy. I never got flack for it from my peers, and the only people irritated were my mother and grandmothers when, heaven forbid, a formal church event (see: Easter Sunday) was afoot and we had to go into "The War Room" to negotiate my attire for the day's events.
At the same time, I have the freedom to "femme it up" if I ever feel like it and it has little to no impact on my standing in society.
Try that with a man who prefers to wear more feminine clothing and make-up. What will his social consequences be? I'd say there is more pressure on men in society to be masculine, than for women to wear skimpy clothing or objectify ourselves. Also, I'm seeing more and more penises on shows that air on HBO, Amazon, and Starz during nude scenes. It's actually getting a little out of hand and, genuinely, throws me off from the show for a moment. Yet they insist on surprise penis shots, now.
You gave an example of baggy shirts, baggy pants, etc. Women have been able to wear those styles without social judgment or consequences. For a time in the 90s, it was even the style and considered attractive (i.e. see 90s female R&B artists like Aaliyah, TLC, Xscape - video below).
Men are the ones who are more socially restricted when it comes to wearing skimpy clothing or anything deemed "too feminine." Especially in the US. A man wearing a speedo to go swimming, for example, is seen as effeminate and "less manly" in America, whereas in places like Australia and Europe it's more common and has no bearing on a man's "manliness social scorecard" whatsoever.
I, personally, am more "masculine-presenting" in my style but I've been like this for decades and have always been seen as a tomboy. I never got flack for it from my peers, and the only people irritated were my mother and grandmothers when, heaven forbid, a formal church event (see: Easter Sunday) was afoot and we had to go into "The War Room" to negotiate my attire for the day's events.
At the same time, I have the freedom to "femme it up" if I ever feel like it and it has little to no impact on my standing in society.
Try that with a man who prefers to wear more feminine clothing and make-up. What will his social consequences be? I'd say there is more pressure on men in society to be masculine, than for women to wear skimpy clothing or objectify ourselves. Also, I'm seeing more and more penises on shows that air on HBO, Amazon, and Starz during nude scenes. It's actually getting a little out of hand and, genuinely, throws me off from the show for a moment. Yet they insist on surprise penis shots, now.
thanks for your honest, candid answer. I am happy that you said as I feel the same. but its quite interesting that in the society, its always said men are more free to do whatever they want as compared to women, but in terms of clothing, and nudity, it doesn't seem like the case, and i fully agree that women can wear women's clothing or man's clothing, and nobody is going to judge her or call her a "man" or lesbian for that, but i have seen soooo many men call other men gay etc just because they wear briefs which is very strange to me. and similarly, women wear jeans n pants but consider a man wearing a skirt, its impossible he won't be ridiculed or considered bad or something... similarly, on a beach , consider if a man wears a thong or bikini, he would never be considered straight and even might be considered a threat..contrast this situation with a woman, she can wear a bikini or a skirt or anything she won't be judged as lesbian or something different just because of that.. but i do not know why this difference exists even in today's age of equality... and do u think in today's society, woman objectification is normalized too much but not men's? although i feel that nobody should be objectified in first place
JackPhilip
Sexy Member
That's a really interesting and important topic you're bringing up. As a woman, I can say that many of us do feel frustrated by the double standards when it comes to nudity and objectification in society. It feels like there's constant pressure for women to meet certain beauty standards, whether it's in how we're portrayed in media or even how we dress on a daily basis.
Movies, ads, and TV shows often push this image of women as objects of desire, while men are shown with much more dignity and respect. It can feel dehumanizing, and it definitely contributes to the unrealistic expectations women face regarding their appearance.
When it comes to clothing, you're right—there's often a stark contrast. While women are expected to wear revealing outfits, men can be more relaxed and comfortable in their attire. This societal expectation can make women feel self-conscious and even unsafe at times, especially when skimpy clothing is promoted as "sexy" but not necessarily practical or comfortable.
Overall, many women are tired of being sexualized and objectified. It can create feelings of anger, frustration, and even exhaustion. It’s about time society shifted its mindset to value women for more than just their appearance.
AllieHeidi
Legendary Member
AllieHeidi
Legendary Member
Because unlike other species, the males of primates are not meant to appear beautiful to attract a mate, but intimidating and strong. The bigger, stronger, and scarier looking the male, the more likely he is to be able to produce offspring that will be the same as well as protect them and the mother.
In other words, males are supposed to look "off-putting" yet demonstrate they are capable of acquiring resources and protecting their families. Males look for signs of fertility and health to ensure they are able to produce offspring and that they will not be sickly.
Signs of fertility and health are naturally tied to appearance (youth, clear skin, proportional/healthy weight). Females do also look for these cues when choosing mates, but to a lesser extent because what is most important is the protection and rearing of those offspring. Both of which require strength and resources.
It's all just nature. It's honestly not that complicated.
Think you made an error with the words I emboldened in the above paragraph when your profile says male
"As a woman...?!" Now I'm just as confused as a dude who believes in "society" shifting "its mindset to value women for more than just their appearance" and getting in big trouble with his female significant other for not saying she looked pretty when picking her up for a date.
Agreed with all your points related to nature.. because that is how nature works... but i have started seeing change in people's perception about both men's and women's desirable traits... i mean i know some women nowadays would rather go for somewhat not so strong men, and some men would prefer strong and dominating women.. have you noticed that shift in trend too?
Concepts of what constitutes masculinity and femininity and desired traits in mates have ebbed and flowed and have differed between cultures and economies for as long as recorded history. I'll spare you the many examples because it should be self-evident we do not live in a unique time in this regard, although I understand it is tempting to believe ours is the only time of change. That little lecture aside, it is easy to suffer from selection bias concerning what women prefer in men. A man also risks an argument or derision when interpreting what women prefer, no matter the reasonableness of the observation. At the very least any statement will be waved off as "you can't generalize." So good luck detecting new trends, but as for me, it is best to observe how women choose and not how they may explain their choice.
AllieHeidi
Legendary Member
I don't really have a dog in the fight, so I can't answer that question. What I do know is that not every woman dresses a certain way to attract male attention or even the approval (or jealousy) of their female counterparts. Many of them dress and present themselves a certain way because they just sincerely like the style or look for themselves.
The problem is that society has created the narrative that most women do things for the approval of, and/or to be acknowledged by, others. It is a way to divorce women from our agency and sense of self. Frankly, if I wanted attention for my appearance, specifically male attention, I would've continued dressing and presenting myself the way I did in my early 20s. I don't feel any pressure to look a certain way. If anything, I feel inhibited and restricted.
I like fashion and experimenting with different looks, styles, accessories and even learned to like make-up and play around with it. Unfortunately, the responses I would get from men in public made me very uncomfortable so I went back to dressing down and "hiding myself." I would love to be able to peacefully express myself whenever I get into a "femmey" mood every once in a while, but in my personal experience, that always ends up with problems.
My style has mostly been androgynous-masculine and I have kept my hair shaven down for several years until fairly recently. I now have locs that go to the middle of my back. I also still get pedicures (and color) for my own enjoyment but no one really ever sees my feet but me.
Over the summer during a vacation, however, when I dared to go out in public in a tank, baggy shorts, and flip flops making it "obvious" I'm a female, I literally got cornered in the lounge of the hotel I was staying at by two slightly drunk men trying to hit on me...at the same time. I would step back and signal I didn't want to be bothered, they'd move closer and keep running their mouths asking for my social media info. It was distressing and pissed me off. Especially since I was out of town and by myself.
That tells me that I can't dress how I want because a lot of men see women as objects by default regardless of how we are dressed. A lot of them behave like wild animals sniffing around for females in estrus and it's disgusting. I don't feel pressured to look a certain way to "attract males" (I'm gay). I feel pressured to look a certain way to ensure they leave me the fuck alone.
thanks for sharing your views. I agree that noone should be considered as an object, I hate when even my male friends pass on very demeaning comments on females, and also when my female friends pass on demeaning comments to men.. there are some people unfortunately (both men n women) who think all people whole day just think of sex or attracting others, or lust.. but this is not the case, i would say most people wear clothes just for their own comfort, looks, and their choice.. the reason i started this thread was because i feel women are very much objectified by the society and it has become a norm, and the same society will object if male were also to be objectified.. i believe in everyone being treated with dignity, irrespective of their gender, sexuality, religion or any other factor..i have discussed this topic of female objectification with many of my friends and i challenge them always when they say its natural, women love to expose their skin, and many other unfounded assumptions.... but thanks again for sharing your opinions and thoughts on my question.
I would contend you have a lot to learn about women, a lot to learn about men, and a lot to learn about the dynamic between the two throughout recorded time.
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