WOMEN AND MEDIA: THE COMMODIFICATION

By: Vaishnavi 

We all are aware of the biasness media possesses when it comes to enforcing prior stereotypes or setting derogatory narratives towards certain communities based on gender, caste etc. The phenomenon may be said to have come into existence due to a wide range of media users from around the world. 

The commodification of women in media has been happening since the beginning and the portrayal of women as objects or sexual beings in ways that increase the appeal of media or products is something which is being practiced. But the tendency to overlook it's massive harm women and society undergoes is vile. This includes:

Sexualization: Women are portrayed as sex symbols not only in the glamour industry but the impact is visible in day to day life at home and at workplace as well. The specialization leaves a derogatory impact on the perception of people, especially youngsters and also hampers the women themselve to feel inferior or mere objects. This sexualization is used to promote products or to hamper more reach among general public.

Dehumanization: When women are treated as mere commodities, it reduces their worth as "human beings" and hurts their rights and standard of life. It enforces the idea in the fragile minds that women are less of a being and more objects.

False beauty standards: Women are portrayed as unrealistically perfect in and by media such as in ads of beauty products, which can lead to psychological problems like depression and eating disorders. Several women expose themselves to such harmful body dysmorphyia and try to fit in these fictional standards in order to be praised and accepted by others.

Objectification: When women are reduced to the status of objects, devoid of thought or feeling, the barriers in gender roles and equality is harmed. This especially is propagated by the force and power media possesses over citizens and harms not only women but young children as well.

Gender inequality: Women are viewed as less capable and less intelligent, as can be seen as depicted in tv serials and movies etc, which can lead to men being more tolerant of sexual harassment and violence. This especially is the cause of the baseless debates surrounding these vile acts and pushes the need of a more stricter and sturn law for these crime at the back.

Hence the commodification of women in media is very harmful for our society and has been criticized by feminists and other advocates of women's rights. It's a topic of discussion in feminist studies and other fields of scholarship and is gradually getting involved in day to day discussions revolving around women's rights and equality in our society.