The Objectification of Women

Recently, in London, there was a fundraiser for a children’s hospital. Rich, influential men were invited. The waitresses were young women. The organizers instructed the girls to wear very short black dresses with—get this—black underwear. Alcoholic drinks were served in abundance.

As booze was consumed and the men got rowdy, some of them made inappropriate advances to the girls.

Should we be outraged? YES! There is absolutely no excuse for this kind of behavior.

Should we be surprised? Not necessarily. You see, these meetings had been organized in a similar fashion for years. They were always for men only, and young women in skimpy dresses served tables. Inappropriate behaviors had been reported before. No one changed anything. Until now.

There are several problems with this scenario:

• All men for a fundraiser. Why weren’t their wives and girlfriends invited?
• All young women serving. Again, we ask why. No guys. No grandmas. Age discrimination? I think it goes without saying why.
• All waitresses required to wear very short, black dresses and told what color underwear to wear. Ummm … what????

The organizers clearly planned for the waitresses to be part of the entertainment. Sad.

But, this scenario is repeated in a million different ways and in a million different settings all over the world! Think about it:

• Restaurants where the waitresses routinely wear a specified skimpy costume
• “Gentlemen’s” clubs (In quotations, because it’s a misnomer.)
• Strip joints
• Sports events, where women "adorn" the scenery, wearing revealing clothing
• Bars where girls entertain guests

In a day when women balk at being objectified, it seems they could do something about it. I’m not so naïve as to think that no one would ever treat a woman as an object, but I do believe that women have a huge say about what happens in our society.

It begins at home.

Moms, teach your girls:

1. Your body is a precious gift from God. No one should see or touch parts of your body—be specific when you teach your child—except for your future husband or medical staff. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:20).
2. God has made you for a purpose: to please Him. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
3. The Bible tells women to dress modestly. That women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works (from 1 Timothy 2:9-10).
4. You can say no. Protest any uninvited advances. Report any inappropriate touching to the person’s superiors. If it’s criminal touching or groping, go to the police. You can stand up for yourself.

Let’s pretend you’re a beautiful girl who lives in London. You've been asked to be a waitress for the fundraiser described at the beginning of this post. You’re flattered and interested. You'll be paid well. Then, the organizer gives you the list of the things expected of you—including how to do the actual food service and what you’re to wear.

Right there and then, you should say, “I can't do that.” You have the power to say no. You are smart enough to envision how vulnerable you would be.

What if every young woman approached for waitressing had said, No way? The organizers would have had to re-think and plan the event differently.

What if managers of restaurants that feature women in skimpy clothing cease to find any girls willing to work? What if ….

Women can change the way things are done.

I don’t for one moment believe that every woman has the same scruples. But, an outcry is being made today--rightly so. Women everywhere are tired of being viewed only as objects. (I was glad to hear that Formula 1 racing has announced it is discontinuing hiring girls to stand at the line in revealing clothing.)

I think now is a good time for women to refuse:

• Appearing in advertisements of all kinds that use sex to sell.
• Working in restaurants and clubs in skimpy clothing.
• Working at sports events in revealing outfits: cheerleading, half-time entertainment, holding umbrellas or standing around, while wearing hooker clothes, etc.
• Performing by wearing sexy clothing while gyrating.
• Any job where they’re required to cheapen themselves by wearing revealing clothing.

Let’s teach our girls they have dignity.

Let’s refuse to be objectified.

Let’s please God in everything we say and do.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

__________

Note: I realize that some women have been trafficked and have absolutely no say in what they are forced to do. This post is not about those who have no choice. Human trafficking is real, and it is worse than tragic that there's even a market. This post is for women who do have a say--and their daughters. Also, I don't believe Christian young women could serve in some of these above-mentioned places in good conscience for totally different reasons besides the dress requirements. This post is about refusing to be set up like an object. Also, any person (male or female) who makes inappropriate advances is wrong. It doesn't matter what the other person wears--skimpy or not--there is no excuse for wrong behavior. None.