The Rule of Exposure: from Bentham to Queen Grimhilde's Mirror

This article reflects on the effects the media’s constant projection of female images of sexually suggestive aesthetic perfection produces on woman’s perception of herself and, above all, on her tendency to seek confirmation of her own worth essentially through other people’s approving glances. After exploring the analogy between this mechanism and Bentham's panopticon system, the article goes on to reflect on the profound psychological implications of the awareness of being scrutinized by others, leading to disempowerment and interiorization of the rule. Finally, the article analyses the possible impact of D. Rhode’s legal proposals in this area, so as to consider what, if anything, law can do to remedy this kind of oppressive system.