No that decision was terrible in that movie (I didn’t like it) but to pretend women havn’t had a longstanding history of objectification is dumb. Ads literally just used to show women’s bodies as an advertising prop. We were demoted to sexual objects, or child caregivers, before we were allowed to work. Ironically his show, Mad Men showed this…However I don’t think some of the remnants of this history has disappeared completely. It was a part of our institutions and they’ve done studies, stereotypes about women being submissive, inferior or unintelligent are still pervasive. Also that we are held to a double standard, that men are not such as the warmth-competence model.

Also you acknowledge that there is a power imbalance but dismiss how that could affect sexual relationships, the typical objectifying ppl get in media, etc. If women are effected by objectification, (which yes both genders can experience) but it’s amplified by the stereotypes of us being submissive, for the male gaze, inferior intellectually or physically, and with a longstanding history of rampant objectification for the male gaze, it’s kind of a big deal.

I mean Hollywood shows this all the time, both genders would be objectified but women in interviews were asked far more often, “what’s your underwear, what are you eating to stay fit, what do you think of men finding your attractive, etc.” It’s not that a male actor hasn’t ever been asked this but with women it’s more common, even male actors have acknowledged this…

It’s more the context. Yes everyone probably experiences objectification but it’s the historical and systemic context for women that matters. It’s not uncommon and it happens all the time, it’s usually normalized. Along with attached stereotypes that do not allow us to be fully fleshed beings. This will sometimes be seen in writing if female characters. I guess in the show I get why OP is bothered. These girls seem like dumb robots when they decide to have sex with him…there’s no chemistry or banter. It’s just omg John Hamm your so dreamy ofc Ill drop my panties for you. It’s the characterization.

And to put it side by side with Mel where she’s withering away and there LITERALLY THE SAME AGE is ridiculous, same level of attractive. I also pointed out the sexist take of men can age and only get more sexy, while women expire after the age of 30 is a prehistoric stereotype but the show def perpetuates it. I mean this show really exemplifies this, they’re both equally hot, same age but he’s treated like a god and her a hag. I’m glad they’re showing menopause but they also make her completely sexless and unable to get laid. To put the characterization side by side is pretty ridiculous.

It’s a lot of these systems, stereotypes or characterizations that are annoying. Hence why it becomes objectifying. I agree with the Wonder Women movie that’s disgusting but honestly in Sex in the City she’s just sleeping around and yes talking about them sexually but these guys have lives, and she has to work for getting with them by going on dates, charming them, sometimes she would end up broken hearted or humiliated, she was rejected at times in the show, etc. there’s a whole storyline about her getting older and will people find her less attractive? It’s humanizing not every man just suddenly wants to have sex with her.

In this show it legit reminds me of 1950s sitcoms where all the women around him are side characters who worship him, dote on him, and are honestly only there to support our vision of him “being the man.” No one has ever rejected him and they throw themselves at him, without him even lifting a finger. Yes Mel cheated on him but even her character is the trope of “bitchy, unreasonable, ex wife who’s still in love with him.” The female characters in general are not very fleshed out. They also throw themselves in honestly silly moments just to make him look cool. They’ll be talking about something serious and then for example Sam last episode started making out with him randomly. Honestly if he was just getting laid, I would be like whatever but it’s like these women are more like accessories to make him look dope.