Term Paper on "Correlation Between Male Competition and the Objectification of Women"

Term Paper 15 pages (3998 words) Sources: 1

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Objectification of Women

Correlation Between Male Competition and the Objectification of Women

This paper outlines and discusses four studies conducted to examine the correlation between male competition and the objectification of women. Two studies (Study 1 and Study 3) involved observation followed by interviews with observed parties. These studies attempt to identify behavior, both male and female, that leads or may contribute to the objectification of women. Two additional studies (Study 2 and Study 4) involved direct interviewing or questioning with no observation. The first of these involved college females chosen randomly from dorm residents. The purpose of this interview set was to identify what female ideals or opinions might reinforce male behavior, in specific the objectification of women. The second interview study involved a survey of twenty-four students in a Freshmen-level English course. Both men and women in this class answered a survey with the intent of identifying social norms surrounding "normal" college behavior in both men and women. Additionally, the survey attempted to identify what actions both men and women take that contribute to masculine competition and the objectification of women.

Study 1.

During this study, two fights between college aged male students were observed and documented. Afterwards, two participants in one of the fights (Male a and Male B) were interviewed, as were the women who were involved in helping or supporting the men (Female a and Female B). A number of relevant observations were made during the fight and during the follow-up interviews in regard to male competition and the objectification of women.

Both Male a and Male B. readily admitted that female attention -- more specifically, sex -- was a reason to fight. The reasoning given was not that they were fighting over a woman or women, but rather that the attention drawn to them during a fight made women more attracted to them. Both men expressed a value not only to fighting but to winning, and the loser of the fight was left embarrassed and somewhat emasculated. Despite this, he garnered female attention in the same way that the winning male did. Both male subjects said that the fight itself was over "nothing" and that they were, in fact, friends. Male B. even explained, when questioned, that he would likely fight less if it did not attract the attention of women.

Finally, both Male a and Male B. had extremely low respect for the women that were attracted to them from the observed fight. Since the interaction between the men and women was mainly over the course of one evening, the regard that these men expressed might be extrapolated to include most women they meet at parties, in passing, or in general. Male a, who stated that he fought to gain sex, did not actually have sex with the woman who attended to him. Instead, he did not find her attractive enough and so "kicked her out." Instead of taking advantage of any girl, he obviously felt that he could pick and choose what women to be with. Male B. also showed great disrespect for the woman who he was with through his dialogue during the interview. Unlike Male a, Male B. did have sexual intercourse with the woman who attended to him after the fight. Despite this, he expressed that he would not pursue a relationship with the female unless he ran into her and she wanted to have sex again.

The women from the study displayed behaviors that contributed, both directly and indirectly, to the masculine, competitive behavior of the men involved. They also displayed behaviors that allowed them to be exploited and objectified. Both Woman a and Woman B. rewarded male fighting by making themselves readily available sexually to the men involved. They made it obvious that they were willing to have sex with the male subjects though they did not know them well. This behavior likely affected the male subjects' opinions of each woman.

Female a specifically said in her interview that she is sexually attracted to men who are masculine, and to fighting in particular. However, she also said that she found the man she later came on to unintelligent. Despite this, she made herself sexually available to him even though she recognized that she did not know him and found him unintelligent; to her, muscles and strength, as well as self-assuredness in a fight, seemed to mean more than intelligence or concern for her image. The interview was conducted the following day, after Male a "kicked her out" and she still talked freely about how much it aroused her to watch Male a fight.

Female B. responded to the fight by protecting the loser of the fight, Male B. Her response appears to be based on her perception that he needed someone to take care of him after losing the fight. While he lost the fight, Male B. still garnered attention from Female B. And others, according to Female B's statement. Female B. responded to the attention that other women were showing him as jealousy, implying that multiple women coveted the two men involved in the fight.

From the statements given by all four observed individuals in study 1, it appears that the actions (and reactions) of women do contribute to the competitive and masculine behaviors of men. The men fight to attract the attention of women and gain access to sex. Both Male a and Male B. are aware that women will react to this behavior in the manner they desire. As such, they act accordingly in order to get what they want. Both Female a and Female B, likely through social conditioning, found themselves drawn sexually to the two men. Both women associate the attraction directly with fighting and masculine behavior. Female a was attracted to the masculinity of Male a, who is the winner and, hence, more masculine. Female B. was attracted to Male B. In a more motherly capacity, aiming to protect him and heal him. Both women, however, fulfilled the social role expected of them by Male a and Male B. The actions by both male subjects and both female subjects seem to be cyclical and self-fulfilling.

Study 2.

In Study 2, female subjects were interviewed after being chosen randomly from their dorm residence. The women who were interviewed displayed a number of opinions and characteristics likely to encourage competition and physical displays of masculinity. The opinions of the women are likely shaped by social norms; however, the acceptance of masculinity, competition and fighting as desirable traits in men likely contributes to their actions and the continued predominance of such preferences.

During the brief survey, a number of preferences emerged. Women found hypothetical hockey players more attractive than tennis players, associating hockey players with better bodies, shows of aggression, and ability to fight; all of these traits were relayed in a positive manner. While one woman said that she thought it was "stupid" for men to physically fight over women, she also said that such behavior would be flattering. The same woman went on to say that she looks for body type before personality, and enjoys when a man takes control. Though it is unlikely that she shares these things with men that she is interested, it is probable that she acts in accordance with these values. Women also expressed strong opinions when asked if men should be able to protect their female mates; women felt strongly that men should be able to defend and protect women, including saying that is how it is "supposed to be."

The opinions reflected by this random survey do not reflect every possible opinion. However, those surveyed swayed heavily toward embracing traditional values of men protecting women, being strong and aggressive, and being in control of women. Since women were the subjects being asked, it is reasonable to expect that men would experience little resistance in becoming aggressive and controlling. Instead of being checked socially, behavior of this manner seems to be rewarded and accepted by the college population.

Study 3.

During Study 3, casual social interaction between college-ages male and female subjects was observed. The individuals were observed at a college bar. A number of observations relevant to this discussion were recorded. One group of men acted loudly and obnoxiously. They called one another names and aggressively joked with one another. Women in the company of this group were flirtatious and touched the men regularly. They also tended to the men's needs by fetching drinks for them while they played darts or joked with their friends. In conversations, women were talked over by the men or talked to other women. Overall, the men in this group did not value the women in the conversation, expected women to serve them, and were rewarded for obnoxious behavior with female attention. Reinforcing these behaviors was the fact that women easily accepted this role by laughing at men's jokes, following men's orders, and easily being controlled or pushed out of conversations.

A second group of more reserved men had a… READ MORE

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