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Beauty Quote by Sheila Jeffreys

“Women incorporate the values of the male sexual objectifiers within themselves. Catharine MacKinnon calls this being "thingified" in the head (MacKinnon, 1989). They learn to treat their own bodies as objects separate from themselves. Bartky explains how this works: the wolf whistle sexually…” quote by Sheila Jeffreys
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““Women incorporate the values of the male sexual objectifiers within themselves. Catharine MacKinnon calls this being "thingified" in the head (MacKinnon, 1989). They learn to treat their own bodies as objects separate from themselves. Bartky explains how this works: the wolf whistle sexually objectifies a woman from without with the result that, ''"The body which only a moment before I inhabited with such ease now floods my consciousness. I have been made into an object'' (Bartky, 1990, p. 27). She explains that it is not sufficient for a man simply to look at the woman secretly, he must make her aware of his looking with the whistle. She must, "be made to know that I am a 'nice piece of ass': I must be made to see myself as they see me'' (p. 27). The effect of such male policing behaviour is that, "Subject to the evaluating eye of the male connoisseur, women learn to evaluate themselves first and best'" (Bartky, 1990, p. 28). Women thus become alienated from their own bodies.””

Sheila Jeffreys

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About This Quote

The quote describes how women internalize male objectification, leading them to view their bodies as external objects, causing alienation and self‑evaluation through a male gaze.

In simple terms: Women internalize objectification, alienating from their bodies.

Key Takeaway

Objectification reshapes self‑perception.

Themes

gender oppression objectification self‑alienation male gaze feminist theory

Mood

frustration disillusionment anger

Type

analytical theoretical critical

When to use this quote

  • walking down a street
  • receiving unwanted attention
  • media representation
  • workplace interactions
  • public spaces

Key Concepts

body as object internalized sexism subjectivity social conditioning

Practical Applications

  • critical gender studies
  • activism against harassment

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does internalized objectification affect women's mental health?
  • What strategies can disrupt the male gaze?
A Different Perspective

Some argue that agency can resist objectification, but pervasive cultural cues often limit such resistance.

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