Rosalind Gill - From Sexual Objectification to Sexual Subjectification: The Resexualisation of Women's Bodies in the Media

''What makes these hyper-sexualised representations of women's bodies different from earlier representations in the 1960s and 1970s is that they are clearly responses to feminism, and, in that sense, I would suggest, are far less 'innocent' than earlier sexualised depictions'' Suggests that feminism has changed over the years as it is now about being bold and sexy. 

''this pervasive re-inscription of women as sexual objects is happening at a moment when we are being told that women can 'have it all' and are doing better than ever before'' gender within magazines are constantly contradicting themselves. it suggests that society doesn't understand what it's portraying upon women. 

'' we are confronted by a popular culture increasingly saturated by representations of women's bodies as objects, and on the other, a mantra-like repetition and celebration of 'women's success' and 'Girl Power'' 


simultaneously as a reassurance for men threatened by girls' increasingly good performance in public examinations and women's success in the workplace. some womens magazines promote women in a positive point of view and show how women are becoming empowering and successful, they point out what they're doing right and congratulate them whereas mens magazines just tell them how to improve with work, women and social events. 

'' older women, bigger women, women with wrinkles, etc are never accorded sexual subjecthood and are still subject to offensive and sometimes vicious representations.''

''Young girls seem to be getting prettier all the time.  There is a return to femininity, but it seems to me that most girls don't give two hoots about men.  It is about being fit and healthy for themselves not for men.'' magazines now offer guidance and advice on how to make yourself feel younger and bring out the best of you. They offer columns on how to stay young for longer and keeping up good health as well as looking your best for yourself, not on how to suit yourself to a man.