Objectification

[FILMFREAK087]

We often hear how we shouldn't objectify others, yet we do claim ownership of others emotionally. How often does one refer to a significant other as "my boyfriend/girlfriend?" This is true of all relationships, we identify others by their relation to ourself; "this is my friend." Truthfully, most strive to be wanted or claimed as someone else's.

[7thson]

I wrote a paper on this very thing way back in the late 80's: I was a wet-behind-the-ears student, but at the same time I sometimes felt used when someone said I was their "enter descriptive word here". I am me, I am not yours - you do not own me, but.........I grew up and learned not to take things so personally. What is wrong with being someone's Teddybear?
;)

[Eyes]

I have heard it said that by naming things, we get a sense of having power/ownership over them. In my experience it is the nature of most humans to want to control their environment, though some to a greater degree than others, and given how fluid things like relationships can be, most people will seize any chance to try and solidify and control that bond even if they have no real power over the other person.

As for your point about people wanting to be claimed, I couldn't agree more. :D

Good post, I like ones that make me think.

[Yoda]

I think objectification exists, and is a problem, but I don't think it's evidenced by saying "my friend" or anything similar. I don't think the "my" denotes ownership, only the relationship between the person being referenced and the person speaking. It doesn't strike me as troublesome or terribly significant.

[mark f]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_H5Q3CCjkk

[FILMFREAK087]

I think objectification exists, and is a problem, but I don't think it's evidenced by saying "my friend" or anything similar. I don't think the "my" denotes ownership, only the relationship between the person being referenced and the person speaking. It doesn't strike me as troublesome or terribly significant.


I'm really not saying it's troublesome, just that in a way we all objectify others in some small way.