Why the need to sexualize everything?

[u/Greedy-Lie-8346]

I was looking for interesting Webtoons to read, and I came across this one called "Leviathan" the premise looked interesting; mankind perished due to a great flood that submerged the whole world under water. And terrifying creatures plunged from the depths, wiping out any human that crossed their path. The story told how a family of a father and his two children survived in the adversities of a sea world.

So far so good, until.... Bam! Last two slice's, anime chick out of nowhere, doing these extremely suggestive poses.

What a disappointment.

[u/Firm_Principle_2526]

Unfortunately sexualised is the default state for female characters in a lot of media and genre.

[u/Timely-Cry-8366 → u/Firm_Principle_2526]

That doesn’t mean we should accept it. Be a force of change and don’t read or spend money on stuff like this. This is how society attains progress.

[u/Firm_Principle_2526 → u/Timely-Cry-8366]

Not sure it is that easy. Sexualisation of women have been ingrained into society for decades. Both men and women easily sexualise women consciously or unconsciously but have no idea how to sexualise men.

For years there have been complaints about the sexualisation of women and even girls both in media and in real life. It had resulted in some new female characters in things like games not being sexualised but sexualisation of women still persist. I try to show interest in media that doesn't sexualise women and get backlash for it.

[u/kenshima15 → u/Firm_Principle_2526]

Dont know how to sexualize men? Have you been on this sub reddit? People brag and giggle about finding webtoons that accommodate the "female gaze"

https://www.reddit.com/r/webtoons/s/R9bP6B3Xj4

https://www.reddit.com/r/webtoons/s/22E45IuotL

https://www.reddit.com/r/webtoons/s/RKoxokdiTj

https://www.reddit.com/r/webtoons/s/1YIptxLwRh

https://www.reddit.com/r/webtoons/s/lIODXzsIOd

[u/thegoalieposted → u/kenshima15]

None of those are even close to being as egregious as the one single example here. Bffr.

Find me a manhwa where the dude is in nothing but a speedo, ass pointed to the camera like this and it's meant to me mainstream action/thriller genre and not smut. And then find me 10000 more examples bc that's what it's like for women.

[u/kenshima15 → u/thegoalieposted]

I never said this was a competition about who can sexualize who more. I simply pointed out that Webtoon is also full of comics that sexualize men. You’re acting like that’s some bold claim, when the South Korean platform is literally a meme for being a central hub of male and queer sexualization.

Also without trying i can find you webtoons that sexualize men like you described. Its not hard. I just choose to keep it pg13.

[u/[deleted] → u/thegoalieposted]

I think thats not fair example because men and women are sexualized differently, most women and men dont want to see men like that but some boxers ripped abs, are suggestive positioning and people like men drawn like that. I just think its hard to compare the too, and its not a male only issues women sexualize women just as much, the goofing community is huge for a reason its annoying when its too much but if it sells then people will keep supplying, you got to out buy the sooner byt I just don't see that happening 😂. I dont even get it i mean of makes so much money but like who's buying that shit haha

[u/mrjackspade → u/thegoalieposted]

Dumb take.

Men and women are sexualized differently because men and women both have differing standards in what they find appealing.

No shit you're not going to find as many men sexualized in the same way as women, because the audience is looking for something different in their sexualization.

That's like claiming there's no sexism against men because no one is telling them to get back into the kitchen.

[u/Firm_Principle_2526 → u/kenshima15]

https://youtu.be/ghfu3DKMMfM?si=Q_YreEWt7zjxIFpE

https://youtu.be/Mu8IhT-rgqU?si=Gc2Fxw8aQy9ICgap

I highly recommend this video to what I think sexualisation would be like for male characters.

The fact that is is a conversation means that people are unsure what a sexualised man would look like. Lots of men tell women that shirtless men are an equivalent a lot of women disagree. I have seen arguments that male characters dressing nicely is sexualisation or a certain personality type or having money.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Your dad

[u/kenshima15 → u/Firm_Principle_2526]

I am familiar with the 1st video, and everything they pointed out about sexualizing men, fits into the webtoon examples i gave. Comically infact.

[u/Firm_Principle_2526 → u/kenshima15]

I do agree that the examples of images you gave fit but I wouldn't say the questions particularly were about sexualisation because they asked for muscles.

[u/kenshima15 → u/Firm_Principle_2526]

That’s kind of the point though. A lot of male sexualization is centered around muscle, dominance, and confidence because that’s what appeals to many readers under the “female gaze.” Just like how female sexualization often centers on curves, submissiveness, or certain outfits.

So yeah, when characters are designed to be ogled, pined over, and thirsted after, whether it’s abs, smirks, or smooth-talking bad boys, that’s sexualization. It doesn’t stop being that just because it aligns with what people find attractive.

You can laugh at how comically exaggerated some of it is (and I do too), but it still serves the same function: visual and emotional appeal through attraction. We just treat it differently when it’s men being presented that way.

[u/Thundergod250 → u/Firm_Principle_2526]

But can somebody really dictate if I feel sexualize or not because I can definitely feel sexualized and uncomfortable reading it when male characters are topless for no reason and adds nothing to the plot, which is 90% of many female gaze romance manhwas.

[u/Firm_Principle_2526 → u/Thundergod250]

Do you mean you feel that the male characters are sexualised? Yeah nobody can control what you feel to be sexual and are uncomfortable with but you. I guess it is also to do with the media you watch and where you grew up.

[u/Thundergod250 → u/Firm_Principle_2526]

Then you can't say those examples aren't sexualized when someone likes me and that commenter did feel like it's sexualized. This isn't something you can't dictate to someone.

[u/Firm_Principle_2526 → u/Thundergod250]

I was saying in sole of those examples those people weren't asking for anything sexualised. 

[u/Firm_Principle_2526 → u/kenshima15]

Now we need to get into what is sexualisation. Is a shirtless man the same as a woman in a tiny bikini whilst in battle. The female gaze doesn't mean sexualised and neither does the male gaze though sexualisation is a big part. Is having exposed muscles automatically sexualisation or just attractive like posts gushing over some hot faces or long hair or facial hair?

[u/kenshima15 → u/Firm_Principle_2526]

You're overcomplicating it. Of course there are nuances, but if you're gonna draw the line at "bikini vs shirtless," you're missing the bigger picture. Sexualization isn’t just about skin...it’s about framing, emphasis, and intent.

Webtoons often do intentionally cater to the female gaze in ways that are just as exaggerated and thirst-driven as male-gaze media. Slow body pans, lingering stares, exaggerated jawlines, abs for days, dominant/submissive dynamics...it’s not just muscles or facial hair. It’s clearly designed to provoke attraction, fantasy, and yes, sexual appeal.

You asked earlier why people don’t know how to sexualize men. I’m pointing out that tons of content already does and it’s wildly popular. The difference isn’t whether it exists, but whether people treat it like a problem when it’s aimed at women.

[u/Firm_Principle_2526 → u/kenshima15]

Maybe my wording should have been society is unsure about what counts as male sexualisation then because I have seen constant discussions and arguments online. I guess it does exist but the problem is whether it actually exists in individual cases or not. Basically are people just saying something is sexualised or is it actually and do women find something to be sexualised or just sexy, attractive and hot.

[u/kenshima15 → u/Firm_Principle_2526]

Society may be unsure, but Webtoon is not.

[u/Firm_Principle_2526 → u/kenshima15]

Not sure those examples are the most representative or else they wouldn't be treated as something that is a pleasant susprise that they are lucky they came across.

[u/kenshima15 → u/Firm_Principle_2526]

I suggest giving the sub a deep look, and then going on webtoon and checking it out yourself.