Why the Super Bowl Failed Both Men and Women
Tonight my celebration of the Giant's victory was tainted... not just by the fact that I'm a Broncos fan but also by the commercials. Quite frankly I was angry. Angry at how women AND men were portrayed... and I think both sexes should be equally angry!
I think women should be angry at some of those commercials. Angry that women were portrayed as little more than objects for sexual fantasies and having little value outside of physical appearance. I think women should be angry that, though the feminist movement was supposed to deliver greater equality with men, their value is still largely based on sexuality, particularly in the media. We're portrayed largely for attractiveness--not for what we can do or for who we are, but for what we look like. But I am more. My sexuality is only part of who I am... only part of who God has made e to be.
But I think men should be personally offended by the same commercials. When women are reduced to sexual objects for the entertainment of men, men are reduced as well. Reduced to little more than sexual creatures who are so driven and controlled by their sexuality that all it takes is a scantily-clad model to convince them to buy whatever wares are for sale. Men are subtly portrayed as being entirely controlled by their sexuality--and society continues to tell them they are only normal when they indulge in and enjoy this sexualization of women, just as it continues to tell women that they must flaunt their bodies and play up their sexuality as their greatest asset... perhaps even their greatest worth in extreme cases.
As a woman, especially a single woman, I'm offended and angered at how women were portrayed tonight and how men were reduced in the process. I'm angry that this is how society says we should value our sexuality and angry that this is how young men are taught, tempted, and even forced to view me. I notice when men are staring at me... certainly not for my academic ability or intelligence. I know when men are undressing me with their eyes and wondering what I look like. It's offensive and hurtful. Contrary to what media may tell you, most women do not enjoy being valued for our appearance or our sexuality. We are so much more than that. I am so much more than that. And I hope and pray that the man I marry doesn't value me for my sexuality or my appearance but for my character, my talents and abilities, my faith, my identity.
It's not just innocent fun. It's not an innocent look... and I don't believe I'm overreacting. On a grand scale society has become so sexualized that we've allowed soft-porn into our commercials. Nevermind that the Super Bowl is one of the greatest arenas to bring trafficked women and children for sexual exploitation in America and that 1 in 3 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Don't tell me objectifying women on television is innocent. It all starts with the "innocent looks." I didn't used to be very offended by racy commercials. But I realize now that they are taking advantage of and exploiting part of my identity--something I cannot change--part of the way God made me. And they're subtly encouraging men to do the same.
I am more than my sexuality. God does not place value on me for my sexuality... nor does He place value on men for their sexuality. We should all be angry that tonight we were betrayed. Tonight society continued to tell us the lie that women are sexual objects and men are entirely controlled by their sexuality. As a Christian I'm offended that society continues to spread a toxic lie that it's ok to look at women--notice the beautiful ones a little more. Jesus tells us that whoever even looks at a woman with lust is already guilty of committing adultery! (Matt. 5:28)
I can't begin to communicate how much it would mean to me and so many other women if, when those racy commercials come on, men took a stand for themselves and for women. If they were to say, "we are all more than our sexuality... women are of value for far more than their appearance and sexuality and men are far more than their sex drives and fantasies. I pray that the man I marry has the courage and strength to stand up for me and for all women--to tell me he loves me for who I am not for what I look like. To dare to be different "with the guys." To take a stand, even when it's hard, to declare that women are not objects and men are stronger and more than their sexuality. That's a man I will be very proud of and very honored to call my husband and very excited to enjoy my sexuality with... because I know he'll value me holistically and he'll value himself greatly.
I have a dream that one day women will be judged, not by their sexuality or their appearance, but by the content and quality of their character. I have a dream that one day men will be reminded that they are so much more than their sexuality.
I think women should be angry at some of those commercials. Angry that women were portrayed as little more than objects for sexual fantasies and having little value outside of physical appearance. I think women should be angry that, though the feminist movement was supposed to deliver greater equality with men, their value is still largely based on sexuality, particularly in the media. We're portrayed largely for attractiveness--not for what we can do or for who we are, but for what we look like. But I am more. My sexuality is only part of who I am... only part of who God has made e to be.
But I think men should be personally offended by the same commercials. When women are reduced to sexual objects for the entertainment of men, men are reduced as well. Reduced to little more than sexual creatures who are so driven and controlled by their sexuality that all it takes is a scantily-clad model to convince them to buy whatever wares are for sale. Men are subtly portrayed as being entirely controlled by their sexuality--and society continues to tell them they are only normal when they indulge in and enjoy this sexualization of women, just as it continues to tell women that they must flaunt their bodies and play up their sexuality as their greatest asset... perhaps even their greatest worth in extreme cases.
As a woman, especially a single woman, I'm offended and angered at how women were portrayed tonight and how men were reduced in the process. I'm angry that this is how society says we should value our sexuality and angry that this is how young men are taught, tempted, and even forced to view me. I notice when men are staring at me... certainly not for my academic ability or intelligence. I know when men are undressing me with their eyes and wondering what I look like. It's offensive and hurtful. Contrary to what media may tell you, most women do not enjoy being valued for our appearance or our sexuality. We are so much more than that. I am so much more than that. And I hope and pray that the man I marry doesn't value me for my sexuality or my appearance but for my character, my talents and abilities, my faith, my identity.
It's not just innocent fun. It's not an innocent look... and I don't believe I'm overreacting. On a grand scale society has become so sexualized that we've allowed soft-porn into our commercials. Nevermind that the Super Bowl is one of the greatest arenas to bring trafficked women and children for sexual exploitation in America and that 1 in 3 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Don't tell me objectifying women on television is innocent. It all starts with the "innocent looks." I didn't used to be very offended by racy commercials. But I realize now that they are taking advantage of and exploiting part of my identity--something I cannot change--part of the way God made me. And they're subtly encouraging men to do the same.
I am more than my sexuality. God does not place value on me for my sexuality... nor does He place value on men for their sexuality. We should all be angry that tonight we were betrayed. Tonight society continued to tell us the lie that women are sexual objects and men are entirely controlled by their sexuality. As a Christian I'm offended that society continues to spread a toxic lie that it's ok to look at women--notice the beautiful ones a little more. Jesus tells us that whoever even looks at a woman with lust is already guilty of committing adultery! (Matt. 5:28)
I can't begin to communicate how much it would mean to me and so many other women if, when those racy commercials come on, men took a stand for themselves and for women. If they were to say, "we are all more than our sexuality... women are of value for far more than their appearance and sexuality and men are far more than their sex drives and fantasies. I pray that the man I marry has the courage and strength to stand up for me and for all women--to tell me he loves me for who I am not for what I look like. To dare to be different "with the guys." To take a stand, even when it's hard, to declare that women are not objects and men are stronger and more than their sexuality. That's a man I will be very proud of and very honored to call my husband and very excited to enjoy my sexuality with... because I know he'll value me holistically and he'll value himself greatly.
I have a dream that one day women will be judged, not by their sexuality or their appearance, but by the content and quality of their character. I have a dream that one day men will be reminded that they are so much more than their sexuality.
I think dogs should be offended by those Super Bowl commercials too. They're being portrayed as cat-murdering, car-chasing fiends, but they are so much more than that.
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