Body Image Issues In Men

[PhuturePriest]

I think there is a vast difference between men's body images in the media and woman's. I think the barbie highlights one of them. For one, women's images have been pushed farther and farther to the point where they could no longer be human.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/time-lapse-video-shows-models-photoshop-transformation-20738180

On the other hand like the He-man cartoon the idea of men has more or less been stable for the past 100 years. Not only that but male actors come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, wheras female actresses are often think, between 5'8 and 5'10" and white. There are many actors (male) who were overweight (John Candy, John Belushi, Kevin James) who were quite famous and considered likeable. The women (Rosanne, Queen Latifia) are considered b****es.

Thats not to say that the overdriven media can't cause a problem for boys and young men. However, they experiance a very small portion and influence that women endure on a daily basis.

It's not helpful or healthy to make it into a contest. What matters is that both sexes are being treated unfairly. Making it into a contest accomplishes nothing but division.

[blazeingstar]

It's not helpful or healthy to make it into a contest. What matters is that both sexes are being treated unfairly. Making it into a contest accomplishes nothing but division.

 

I'm not saying its a contest.  My point is that the scope and the range of body images for men is much bigger than what is considered acceptiable for women.  It's seen in toys and many other things.  There are white GI-Joe's with brown hair and eyes, however as a child there were no white brown haired, brown eyed dolls.  Comparison is not competition.

 

I also think that many times the ideal man prepetuates fitness wheras the "ideal women" again and again pepetuates unhealthy and unreal thinness.  To me the whole "body image" comparison is apples and oranges.  They are both fruit, but vastly different issues.

 

To me, I think that the steryotypes most dangerous to boys are those that involve aggression, egotism and competition rather than body shape as men's body shapes are not as scrutinized by the media and others.  The characters on Big Bang Theory do not match Abercormbie and Fitch but are all still swooned over.  However they are all competitive and egotistical, if not a bit aggressive about things.  That, for men, is the bigger issue and I think focusing on "body image" will always be a loosing battle after what women are put through.

[ChristinaTherese]

I'm not saying its a contest.  My point is that the scope and the range of body images for men is much bigger than what is considered acceptiable for women.  It's seen in toys and many other things.  There are white GI-Joe's with brown hair and eyes, however as a child there were no white brown haired, brown eyed dolls.  Comparison is not competition.

 

I also think that many times the ideal man prepetuates fitness wheras the "ideal women" again and again pepetuates unhealthy and unreal thinness.  To me the whole "body image" comparison is apples and oranges.  They are both fruit, but vastly different issues.

 

To me, I think that the steryotypes most dangerous to boys are those that involve aggression, egotism and competition rather than body shape as men's body shapes are not as scrutinized by the media and others.  The characters on Big Bang Theory do not match Abercormbie and Fitch but are all still swooned over.  However they are all competitive and egotistical, if not a bit aggressive about things.  That, for men, is the bigger issue and I think focusing on "body image" will always be a loosing battle after what women are put through.

What about American Girl dolls, Playmobile, Raggedy Ann, etc.? They come in plenty of colors. (Well, Raggedy Ann is a specific doll, but she's not blonde or unnaturally thin.)

 

But we oughtn't be getting into a discussion of women on here since it's not really the subject of the thread. (Sorry, I have no opinions on that. I just wanted to point out that little bit about dolls.)

[Lil Red]

What do you all think of this article?

 

http://www.policymic.com/articles/69537/the-invisible-body-image-issue-that-millennial-men-need-to-know

 

To me it makes sense. All you see in pop culture for men are buff, tall, manly guys like Liam Hemsworth and Jean-Claude Van Damme. It only follows that men will begin to think they are supposed to automatically look like that, just as girls do when they see pictures of unrealistically skinny girls.

 

I thought JCVD was short.

[Lil Red]

 Jean-Claude Van Damme? Really? That's who you use as an example? There are tons of more relevant celebrities that you could have used. 

 

like Ryan Gosling. :drool: 

[Lil Red]

This post makes my butt look big

 

that's your pants.

[Mary+Immaculate<3]

It only follows that men will begin to think they are supposed to automatically look like that

Captain America. Your argument is invalid :P

 

Seriously though, another problem is that (from personal experience, trust me) women have been hardwired to think that tall, muscular guys are automatically more manly than shorter, average guys. Sadly, the TV shows, ads, movies, and music industry have caused some women to think less of men who aren't "manly" in these way.

[Winchester]

I have mallet-like hands.

[Lil Red]

I just don't like the sound. Iron Maiden, Michael Buble, and One Direction are more my taste.

 

:blink: what the.... :blink:

[Lil Red]

I think there is a vast difference between men's body images in the media and woman's.  I think the barbie highlights one of them.  For one, women's images have been pushed farther and farther to the point where they could no longer be human. 

 

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/time-lapse-video-shows-models-photoshop-transformation-20738180

 

On the other hand like the He-man cartoon the idea of men has more or less been stable for the past 100 years.  Not only that but male actors come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, wheras female actresses are often think, between 5'8 and 5'10" and white.  There are many actors (male) who were overweight (John Candy, John Belushi, Kevin James) who were quite famous and considered likeable.  The women (Rosanne, Queen Latifia) are considered b****es.

 

Thats not to say that the overdriven media can't cause a problem for boys and young men.  However, they experiance a very small portion and influence that women endure on a daily basis.

 

i don't think Queen Latifah is a good example. she's got quite the good rep for the past 10+ years or so. 

[PhuturePriest]

:blink: what the.... :blink:

 

Don't hate because you wish you had such a wide range of taste for music. I'd rather like most kinds than just one.

[the171]

 

EMILE HIRSCH

[the171]

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH

[the171]

TOM HIDDLESTON

[the171]

you could have chosen men far greater than jean claude van damme