Abstract/Description
The objectification of women is widespread in the United States (American Psychological Association, 2007). In heterosexual relationships, a woman can feel objectified by her partner. When a woman feels objectified by her partner, she may internalize the objectification, feel like she has less control, and perceive more sexual pressure and coercion. However, there is relatively little research on objectification in romantic relationships. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to explore how partner objectification might be related to sexual pressure in heterosexual relationships. A sample of 162 women from all over the United States participated in an online study that measured partner-objectification, self-objectification, sexual agency, and sexual pressure and coercion. The data were analyzed using bivariate correlations. Results showed that (a) partner-objectification is positively correlated with women’s self-objectification, (b) self-objectification is negatively correlated with less freedom and control, and (c) less freedom and control is related to more sexual pressure. This research adds to the literature on romantic relationships and can inform interventions aimed at reducing sexual coercion.
Recommended Citation
Hoyt, Tiffany
(2013).
The Object of Desire: How Being Objectified Creates Sexual Pressure for Heterosexual Women in Relationships.
Undergraduate Review, 9, 62-67.
Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/undergrad_rev/vol9/iss1/15
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Articles published in The Undergraduate Review are the property of the individual contributors and may not be reprinted, reformatted, repurposed or duplicated, without the contributor’s consent.