Sexualization is the act of making something or someone a sexual object, meaning sex is its only purpose.

Ever since physical beauty has been fetishized through the use of social media, the image of women has, at times, been molded into something inappropriate. According to social media, a real woman is supposed to have big assets, full lips, colored eyes, and a curvy figure. Social media has glorified the sexualization of women and integrated humor around the topic, but it is not funny or amusing in the slightest way.

According to unwomen.org, up to 70% of women have experienced physical, and nonphysical sexual abuse. A very common place where sexualization takes place is in schools. A multitude of schools, like boycp, have a policy that states girls are not allowed to have their shoulders exposed because that “distracts their male peers’ learning environment” and it might make male teachers uncomfortable. This is teaching young girls that even though their private areas are covered, their bodies are still made out to be seen as some form of a sexual distraction.

This policy is a prime example of sexualization- it is teaching young girls that they need to alter themselves to cater to the comfort levels of others. More alarmingly, it is teaching girls that the image they have set for themselves and their own comfort isn’t as important as what a male feels when he looks at her.

On the other hand, big name companies like Dove are working towards making women and young girls appreciate themselves. They are doing this by using models of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicity to show that no matter how you look, or what features you have to offer physically, that women are still amazing beings.

Other movements such as the feminist art movement are a combination of men and women who come together to show people that women are more than just sex objects and toys for men to play with when they please.

Women are not sex toys for men to play with at their leisure or at any time for that matter. Women are strong, hardworking, intellectuals, and beautiful beings that deserve respect; not just because they are women, but because they are human.

– Mahogany Miles