sexualize

Sexualize is a verb meaning to attribute sexual qualities, sexuality, or sexual appeal to something or someone, or to present it in a sexualized way. It can refer to enhancing appearance, behavior, or presentation to emphasize desirability, or to depicting a person, object, or concept as primarily about sex. The object of sexualization can be a person, a body part, a product, a symbol, or a scenario.

In media, advertising, fashion, and entertainment, sexualization often involves imagery, dress, or roles designed to foreground sexual attractiveness or arousal. The term is used in discussions of culture and society to describe practices that frame individuals or objects primarily as objects of desire rather than as complete persons. The concept is also applied to analyze everyday interactions, such as how people present themselves or how others respond to those presentations.

The sexualization of minors is a particular concern and is widely condemned in many legal, ethical, and professional contexts, with specific laws and guidelines intended to protect children from sexual exploitation and inappropriate representation. Debates around sexualization also touch on issues of consent, agency, power dynamics, and age-appropriate norms.

Scholarly research on sexualization examines potential effects on body image, self-objectification, and gender stereotypes, often noting associations with negative outcomes while acknowledging variability across individuals and contexts. Some discussions emphasize the complexity of context, intent, and audience, arguing that sexualized presentation can both reflect social norms and contribute to their reinforcement.

Etymology traces the word to Latin sexualis; in English it has been used since the 19th century to describe presenting or interpreting something in sexual terms.