Within this thesis, the morality of the objectification of women within social media is explored. First of all, the theoretical perspectives on objectification are examined through a feminist lens....Show moreWithin this thesis, the morality of the objectification of women within social media is explored. First of all, the theoretical perspectives on objectification are examined through a feminist lens. It is found that there is a considerable debate within the scholars. Some are of the opinion that objectification is always morally wrong, and others believe that it is dependent on the context in which it occurs. Next, the criteria necessary for the context are developed and analyzed through some examples. Finally, these criteria are applied to social media, and it is discovered that not all criteria are met. This indicates that a negative form of objectification has occurred which can be harmful. The conclusion is drawn that the objectification of women within social media is morally unacceptable.Show less
The theory of objectification, which regards the visual representation of women, and occasionally men, sheds light on many current debates concerning the sexist portrayal of the female gender in...Show moreThe theory of objectification, which regards the visual representation of women, and occasionally men, sheds light on many current debates concerning the sexist portrayal of the female gender in modern society. Such debates shift from analysing the role women are bound to hold within society, to the way they are portrayed through different types of media, such as television. In my research I will analyse the way women are often depicted in society, especially through media, and how this affects their political integration. To do so I will focus on the role Berlusconi played in the representation of Italian women, not only through his leadership as Italian Prime Minister, in which he remained for two decades, but also due to his role as media tycoon.Show less
The objectification of women is explored in the writings of Bourdieu. Bourdieu claims that “the social world constructs the body as a sexually defined reality and as the depository of sexually...Show moreThe objectification of women is explored in the writings of Bourdieu. Bourdieu claims that “the social world constructs the body as a sexually defined reality and as the depository of sexually defining principles of vision and division” (2001, 11). Within this structure, society categorises its constructions of gender, with ‘masculine domination’ used to outline those constructions (Ibid.). Bourdieu further argues that “things and activities” receive their objective value when they are juxtaposed in relation to their “homologous [opposite]” (Ibid., 7). This can be applied to social gender dynamics in which men hold power and women act out gender stereotypical and unequal activities. For example, regarding workplace customs in Japan, men are preferred for long-term positions whilst women often fulfil temporary, lesser valued roles (Goff 1995, 1153). Bourdieu's theorisation of female objectification and gender hierarchy may be applied to the social constructions of gender in Japan and their reinforcement through institutions of power. This helps to understand the link between pornography and gender inequality which the thesis argues, must be challenged at state level. Applying Bourdieu’s theory, pornography may be seen as a system to serve ‘male domination’ and pornographic media as an instrument to reinforce and reflect the wider problem of institutionalised gender inequality in Japan. The irony to be explored in this, and the following two chapters, is that the institutions of the Japanese state themselves propagate gender inequality, whilst simultaneously blaming issues of gender inequality on marginalised groups, such as the Otaku – discussed in Chapter 3. Pornography itself is also blamed. An example is the case of Yoshimoto, where after being arrested for rape, police officer Yoshimoto claimed: “I bought and got aroused by pornographic videos with a rape theme, and could not control my compulsion. I feel sorry for the victims” (Shibata 2008, 12). This agent of the state diverted blame away from both himself and the structures of the state, as if neither it, nor he had any responsibility for this victimisation of women.Show less
This paper seeks to clarify the concept of revenge pornography. Existing laws concerning revenge pornography are analysed and sorted into four separate categories, after which a definition of ...Show moreThis paper seeks to clarify the concept of revenge pornography. Existing laws concerning revenge pornography are analysed and sorted into four separate categories, after which a definition of (consensual) pornography is set out against definitions of four types of nonconsensual pornography, among which a definition of revenge pornography. This is followed by an analysis of the reasons for the lack of appropriate laws against revenge pornography and considers degrees of privacy. The discussion of the harms for victims will be followed by the identification of three kinds of wrongs and the identification of three kinds of perpetrators.Show less
