To self-objectify is to think of yourself as an object first and a subject second. People who self-objectify often consider their appearance to be for others and work on their bodies and attractiveness in order to please/not offend an imagined other. Self-objectification is usually discussed in the context of women. It is suggested that these women take on the “male gaze,” looking at themselves through an imaginary male judge.
I found this ad in Maxim magazine. It encourages men to self-objectify by suggesting that they should think about how an imaginary female judge might evaluate their appearance (“She’s totally checking me out MILK Nutritional Shake”).
It’s fascinating that a magazine well-known for objectifying women also participates (at least in running this ad) in encouraging men to self-objectify. Without suggesting that women and men are equally objectified in American culture, I think it might be interesting to talk about the extent to which we live in an objectifying culture, period, and learn to self-objectify whether we are men or women.
Comments 3
Fernando — February 28, 2009
I think that to a degree or another, we all care what other people think about us. We are programmed to act like this. Perhaps it won't be with a person's looks, but it could be with appearing dedicated, smart, friendly, tolerant, etc. I don't know why pick on concerns with appearance and label it with as some sort of disease.
And seriously, who doesn't care about their appearace? Most people do, I mean, would you attend to some social event wearing an old shirt with a huge stain?
Dubi — February 28, 2009
THAT's what self-objectification means? Seriously? What other purpose does looking good HAVE, but being attractive (or at least, less disgusting) to others? Why should I bother with putting on deodorant if I didn't care what others would think of my BO? I can't even smell the stuff myself.
Seriously, I think this might be the origin of a lot of the problems many men have with feminist critique - we do exactly what you do, but we don't bother naming it, and thinking it's something worth thinking about. It just makes sense. I don't walk around with a mirror all day - hence, anything about my personal appearance (which I cannot see) must be for the benefit of others.
Anonymous — November 2, 2023
I was concerned with a male he said by a female I don't have a common interest on he said I needed to face" it" I was a larger want so jom being larger (unattractive, having both b.o. of sort also consumed by a sexual ofer indowed, being rude and of a lesser ego) I don't now and did not "WANT:: to have a telation ship e him he found it as stated unforgivable yet contonfed hom self to be my only option in life and had and does approach others in the same manner , how do. I rid myself of him, totally as well as his female accomplices