From NOW - Newsweek Glamorizes Women's Submission (re: Objectification) [View all]

[redqueen]

As we all probably already know, being feminists and all, the National Organization of Women has opposed the objectification of women for decades.

Texasgal's post about that Twilight fanfic spinoff crap reminded me of this. Since we're all feminists and therefore concerned about the increasing defense and rationalization of this *actually* dehumanizing tactic, I thought I'd share it again.

http://www.now.org/issues/media/hall-of-shame/index.php/violence-against-women/newsweek-glamorizes-women-s-submission

Offender: Cover story "Spanking Goes Mainstream" by Katie Roiphe in the April 23/30, 2012, issue of Newsweek magazine

Media Outlet: Newsweek and The Daily Beast

The Offense: The cover photograph shows a woman who is styled to look like a high-fashion model. She is blindfolded with a large black sash tied in a bow at the back of her head. Her bare shoulders and the top portion of her chest are visible. The caption says: "The Fantasy Life of Working Women | Why Surrender is a Feminist Dream."

NOW's Analysis: Media outlets have a long history of glamorizing women's submission. Typically the fashion industry is guilty of this practice, but news outlets aren't afraid to employ the same strategy. Under the theory that titillation sells magazines, combined with the belief that objectifying women makes you seem edgy, consumers end up with junk like this on the newsstands (and the Internet).

More at link.