Sex Objects

When I was in high school in the late 60's and early 70's, we began to hear a lot about what was then called the "Women's Liberation Movement." There were certain watchwords and catch-phrases associated with the movement that we heard over and over again in the media- for example, male chauvinist pigs. The term has faded over the years and so has another, related term- sex object.

In those days, the term sex object was used in this sense: to male chauvinist pigs, women are no more than sex objects. The movement was, I believe, trying to teach all of us that women have worth and value above and beyond their sexuality and women were (are) to be appreciated as whole people, having value and contributing in many ways.

I wonder about the veterans of the early stages of the movement- what they are making of the current feminine fashion scene and why the phrase (and idea) sex object are no longer part of the discussion?