2008 Woodie Awards
Men have body issues, too
Lindsey Hughes
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Life
It turns out that despite popular belief, men have their own body image issues and insecurities. Often people are quick to associate insecurity and eating disorders with women, but the occurrence of anorexia in men is on the rise. It has become a trend in advertising to use attractive, hairless and sculpted male bodies to sell products, cars, clothing etc. Clothing companies use buff, handsome male models to appeal to the masses. It has been estimated that about 45 percent of Western men are unhappy with their bodies to some degree, compared with only 15 percent some 25 years ago. As women are becoming increasingly liberated, they are demanding that men be treated and viewed more like sex objects and thus the male race is feeling more pressure than ever to measure up to the standards. We can see this trend emerging as businesses like male strip clubs pop up all over Europe and in large U.S. cities. Women are at a place where they want eye candy, too.
Men's insecurities can stem from social and sexual pressure, the media's portrayal of a certain body type, comparing themselves to other guys, or just from feeling unhappy about their own physical condition.
"I'm insecure about being skinny," said UNCG junior Adam Triplett. He went on to explain that he has felt body conscious and can feel the pressure of looking a certain way that is encouraged by the media.
When asked about his body image, freshman David Kapp replied, "I know I'm not very muscular." Kapp explained that he doesn't feel the media putting pressure on him as much as being compared to other guys does. He said, "After puberty you start to notice the other guys that are bigger. It becomes more of a competition."
Being an athletic has always been a competition among men. Wanting to be in the best shape physically has in the past been geared toward achieving the best athletic performance. Now it is more about appealing to women and being accepted by other men and by our culture.
Men's insecurities can stem from social and sexual pressure, the media's portrayal of a certain body type, comparing themselves to other guys, or just from feeling unhappy about their own physical condition.
"I'm insecure about being skinny," said UNCG junior Adam Triplett. He went on to explain that he has felt body conscious and can feel the pressure of looking a certain way that is encouraged by the media.
When asked about his body image, freshman David Kapp replied, "I know I'm not very muscular." Kapp explained that he doesn't feel the media putting pressure on him as much as being compared to other guys does. He said, "After puberty you start to notice the other guys that are bigger. It becomes more of a competition."
Being an athletic has always been a competition among men. Wanting to be in the best shape physically has in the past been geared toward achieving the best athletic performance. Now it is more about appealing to women and being accepted by other men and by our culture.
Be the first to comment on this story