Jessica Ringrose "Sexting"

Question 1

What is highly prevalent within digital image exchange

Answer 1

Sexual double standards and gender inequities

Question 2

How is self objectification re-interpreted using second wave feminism?

Answer 2

reinterpreted as being a prime outlet for sexual liberation, value and pleasure for women
In parallel, men are beginning to become increasingly objectified and sexualized

Question 3

How does image exchanging give social power?

Answer 3

• Girls enjoy the chase from it and the compliments they receive during the ‘negotiation’ process
• Guys are often judged on how many nudes/pics they can obtain (shows their desirability from girls and therefore social power)
• These photos act as a type of visual currency showing male power and popularity

Question 4

What effects can this have on girls?

Answer 4

• While girls are encouraged to participate in this picture exchange (and expected to), the more pictures they exchange, the more they are shamed for it
• Girls gain value from being asked but lose value for giving up these photos
• Girls who are harder to get pictures of maintain higher values than girls who frequently distribute photos

Question 5

Sexting effects on guys?

Answer 5

• In addition, while males ask for the photo, the moral responsibility lies on the female in most cases → for willing to give up the photo despite the negotiation, manipulation and social expectation to give up the photos
• If boys take the photo, the girl is still responsible (shouldn’t be in the position where a picture can be taken)

Question 6

What is so problematic about sexting, what do we need to do?

Answer 6

• We must breakdown the world where photos of girls and specific mediated body parts are of value which can be traded like currency
• This results in the girls having something to lose when photos are shared
• W/o this pressure, the power of these photos is removed (no shaming)

Question 7

What does post feminism state, what do the second-wave feminists argue?

Answer 7

• Post feminism: all feminist goals have been achieved (no need for feminism anymore)
• Second-wave feminists argue that this is incorrect, that the sexualizing of women is still a battle that needs to be fought (women using their bodies to show feminism)

Question 8

What are some downfalls to sexting? (for the girl)

Answer 8

• risk of being exploited, affecting their mental health and well-being as a whole