Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

The Objectification of Women in Adonis Durado’s “Balaki Ko ‘Day Samtang Gasakay Ta’g Habalhabal”

Received: 24 November 2023    Accepted: 9 December 2023    Published: 18 December 2023
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Abstract

This research analyzed the intricate themes of objectification of women within the context of Adonis Durado's evocative poem. The study employs a qualitative-thematic approach to dissect the poem's narrative, unraveling the pervasive societal patterns that perpetuate the commodification, erosion of self-autonomy, and vulnerability of women. The analysis unveils that women's objectification is a result of commodities for male sexual gratification. The poem exemplifies how men's focus on women's physical attributes eclipses their individuality, intellect, and emotional depth. The persona's pursuit of sexual pleasure through explicit imagery highlights the demeaning lens through which women are perceived. Further, societal norms can diminish women's authority oneself. The persona's manipulation of the addressee illustrates the power dynamics that hinder women from expressing their desires and choices freely. This portrayal underscores the importance of fostering a culture that empowers women to reclaim their autonomy and assertiveness. Lastly, women's susceptibility to exploitation illustrates the consequences of societal norms that favor male dominance. The persona's assertive sexual commands exemplify the systemic disempowerment of women, leading to their portrayal as passive subjects meant to conform to male desires. This theme highlights the pressing need to challenge such ingrained norms and foster an environment where women are recognized as equals, free from the threat of violation. Collectively, this research accentuates the significance of analyzing literary works to engage in critical conversations about gender inequality and the objectification of women. By unearthing the layers of objectification, self-autonomy erosion, and vulnerability depicted in the poem, this study underscores the role of literature in shaping our understanding of gender dynamics. It underlines the necessity for transformative social change.

Published in International Journal of Literature and Arts (Volume 11, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijla.20231106.12
Page(s) 239-243
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Women, Objectification, Gratification, Self-Autonomy, Violability

References
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[2] Behm-Morawitz, E., & Ortiz, M. (2013). Race, ethnicity, and the media. In K. Dill (Ed.), Oxford Handbook of Media Psychology (pp. 252-266). New York: Oxford University Press.
[3] Calogero, R. M. (2009). Objectification processes and disordered eating in British women and men. Journal of Health Psychology, 14, 394–402. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105309102192
[4] Elder, W. B., Brooks, G. R., & Morrow, S. L. (2012). Sexual self-schemas of heterosexual men. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 13, 166–179. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024835
[5] Flores, Z. W. (2019). Sexualization and objectification of women in the Philippines (2019). Gender & Sexuality Studies Student Work Collection, 39. https://digitalcommons.tacoma.uw.edu/gender_studies/39
[6] Fredrickson, B., & Roberts, T. (1997). Objectification Theory: Toward Understanding Women's Lived Experiences and Mental Health Risks. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6402.1997.tb00108.x
[7] Gervais, S. J., DiLillo, D., & McChargue, D. (2014). Understanding the link between men’s alcohol use and sexual violence perpetration: The mediating role of sexual objectification. Psychology of Violence, 4, 156–169. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033840
[8] Heflick, N., & Goldenberg, J. (2014). Seeing Eye to Body: The Literal Objectification of Women. Sage Publications, Inc. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23 (3), 225-229. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44318776
[9] Jutten, T. (2016). Ethics Volume 127 Number 1. University of Chicago. https://doi.org/10.1086/687331.
[10] Kellie, D. J., Blake, K. R., & Brooks, R. C. (2019). What drives female objectification? An investigation of appearance-based interpersonal perceptions and the objectification of women. PLOS ONE, 14 (8), e0221388. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221388
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[14] Ohio University. (2022). School of Visual Communication Adonis Durado. Athens, OH 45701-2979. https://bit.ly/3gMXwGj
[15] Peplau, L. A. (2003). Human sexuality: How do men and women differ? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12 (2), 37–40. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20182831
[16] Pratiwi, T. (2015). Women as a dirty machine: A question of objectification on E. E. Cummings. Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya, 5 (2).
[17] Sáez, G., Alonso-Ferres, M., Garrido-Macías, M., Valor-Segura, I., & Expósito, F. (2019). The detrimental effect of sexual objectification on targets’ and perpetrators’ sexual satisfaction: The mediating role of sexual coercion. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2748. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02748
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Mae Granada-Ampo, W., Golosino Rojo, J. (2023). The Objectification of Women in Adonis Durado’s “Balaki Ko ‘Day Samtang Gasakay Ta’g Habalhabal”. International Journal of Literature and Arts, 11(6), 239-243. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijla.20231106.12

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    ACS Style

    Mae Granada-Ampo, W.; Golosino Rojo, J. The Objectification of Women in Adonis Durado’s “Balaki Ko ‘Day Samtang Gasakay Ta’g Habalhabal”. Int. J. Lit. Arts 2023, 11(6), 239-243. doi: 10.11648/j.ijla.20231106.12

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    AMA Style

    Mae Granada-Ampo W, Golosino Rojo J. The Objectification of Women in Adonis Durado’s “Balaki Ko ‘Day Samtang Gasakay Ta’g Habalhabal”. Int J Lit Arts. 2023;11(6):239-243. doi: 10.11648/j.ijla.20231106.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijla.20231106.12,
      author = {Weena Mae Granada-Ampo and Joshua Golosino Rojo},
      title = {The Objectification of Women in Adonis Durado’s “Balaki Ko ‘Day Samtang Gasakay Ta’g Habalhabal”},
      journal = {International Journal of Literature and Arts},
      volume = {11},
      number = {6},
      pages = {239-243},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijla.20231106.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijla.20231106.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijla.20231106.12},
      abstract = {This research analyzed the intricate themes of objectification of women within the context of Adonis Durado's evocative poem. The study employs a qualitative-thematic approach to dissect the poem's narrative, unraveling the pervasive societal patterns that perpetuate the commodification, erosion of self-autonomy, and vulnerability of women. The analysis unveils that women's objectification is a result of commodities for male sexual gratification. The poem exemplifies how men's focus on women's physical attributes eclipses their individuality, intellect, and emotional depth. The persona's pursuit of sexual pleasure through explicit imagery highlights the demeaning lens through which women are perceived. Further, societal norms can diminish women's authority oneself. The persona's manipulation of the addressee illustrates the power dynamics that hinder women from expressing their desires and choices freely. This portrayal underscores the importance of fostering a culture that empowers women to reclaim their autonomy and assertiveness. Lastly, women's susceptibility to exploitation illustrates the consequences of societal norms that favor male dominance. The persona's assertive sexual commands exemplify the systemic disempowerment of women, leading to their portrayal as passive subjects meant to conform to male desires. This theme highlights the pressing need to challenge such ingrained norms and foster an environment where women are recognized as equals, free from the threat of violation. Collectively, this research accentuates the significance of analyzing literary works to engage in critical conversations about gender inequality and the objectification of women. By unearthing the layers of objectification, self-autonomy erosion, and vulnerability depicted in the poem, this study underscores the role of literature in shaping our understanding of gender dynamics. It underlines the necessity for transformative social change.
    },
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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    T1  - The Objectification of Women in Adonis Durado’s “Balaki Ko ‘Day Samtang Gasakay Ta’g Habalhabal”
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    AB  - This research analyzed the intricate themes of objectification of women within the context of Adonis Durado's evocative poem. The study employs a qualitative-thematic approach to dissect the poem's narrative, unraveling the pervasive societal patterns that perpetuate the commodification, erosion of self-autonomy, and vulnerability of women. The analysis unveils that women's objectification is a result of commodities for male sexual gratification. The poem exemplifies how men's focus on women's physical attributes eclipses their individuality, intellect, and emotional depth. The persona's pursuit of sexual pleasure through explicit imagery highlights the demeaning lens through which women are perceived. Further, societal norms can diminish women's authority oneself. The persona's manipulation of the addressee illustrates the power dynamics that hinder women from expressing their desires and choices freely. This portrayal underscores the importance of fostering a culture that empowers women to reclaim their autonomy and assertiveness. Lastly, women's susceptibility to exploitation illustrates the consequences of societal norms that favor male dominance. The persona's assertive sexual commands exemplify the systemic disempowerment of women, leading to their portrayal as passive subjects meant to conform to male desires. This theme highlights the pressing need to challenge such ingrained norms and foster an environment where women are recognized as equals, free from the threat of violation. Collectively, this research accentuates the significance of analyzing literary works to engage in critical conversations about gender inequality and the objectification of women. By unearthing the layers of objectification, self-autonomy erosion, and vulnerability depicted in the poem, this study underscores the role of literature in shaping our understanding of gender dynamics. It underlines the necessity for transformative social change.
    
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Author Information
  • College of Teacher Education, Bohol Island State University, Bohol, Philippines

  • College of Teacher Education, Bohol Island State University, Bohol, Philippines

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