For I forget how many decades now, I've been hearing about how using the images of women to sell commodities objectifies and dehumanizes women, and that this is A Bad Male Thing Our Culture Does.  And “like a good feminist” I have listened to these arguments and given them careful thought.


For many months now, Sharon has gotten into reading romantic fiction [not Harlequins, but rather higher-profile, “more respectable” romance novels]... and I can't help noticing that these books, almost without exception, have a cover picture of a muscular guy with his shirt open or missing -- and most or all of his head runs up off the top edge of the cover.  In other words, he has no face.

And I think about objectification and dehumanization, and realize that these books are marketed to women almost exclusively...  and I can't help but say “Hmmmm...”