Is there a crisis of male body image?

Answer 1

theres a crisis of the HUMAN body image. lol

Answer 2

Yes, very much so. There has been an increase in the number of men exercising excessively, abusing both steroids and laxatives, developing bulimia, and more rare, anorexia, as well as having plastic surgery. The trend toward metrosexuals has created a sort of impossible ideal for men--one that's expensive and high-maintenance. Products directed to men and men's vanity are everywhere. Advertisements featuring David Beckham and other beautiful men are everywhere; images of male perfection in movies and on TV are also more common than they were; magazines directed at men are also pervasive (and People has a yearly edition devoted to the sexiest man alive). All of this has an impact on how men perceive themselves, the same way the constant barrage affects women. We cannot deny how much information technology surrounds us, how many messages about how we should look are thrown at us every minute of every day. It has an impact. If it didn't, advertisers wouldn't waste their money and time appealing to our vulnerabilities.

Answer 3

I don't know it it's a crisis, but men are following in the footsteps of women by accepting a consumerist generated image of what the male body should look like. Notice that to have the kind of body that is being promoted as the male ideal requires to use of lots of "product." It's no accident that it's called "product." It's stuff we're meant to buy. Completely useless stuff for the most part. But if we buy it, we might be that much closer to the cover of GQ or Details or whatever. Are women secretly laughing behind our backs? They ought to be.

Answer 4

Do men feel the need to embrace a style that is up to date with current fashion, I'd say men are not really aware of current fashion. Everyone has bad hair days, even if bad hair is your style.... but it isnt a crisis because the fashion isnt really defined. The only thing stopping men from putting on muscle is their individual commitment to working out, while for Women they cannot grow longer leg's or better symmetry.

Answer 5

I don't like how the excessively muscular look has become desireable. The only way to achieve that is through the use of steroids, not from working out. It's unnatural and in my opinion, unattractive. I like men who are thinner and not muscular.

Answer 6

Yes. More men are having plastic surgery. I went to the dermatologist last week and there was an ad for Botox with a man on it - "Not just for women".

There is a rise in the numbers of men who suffer from anorexia. Teenagers who use steroids to help pump up.

Answer 7

i think the emphasis on physical appearance and youth has taken it's toll on everyone. no one is immune to having body image issues in the western world. nowadays, men feel the need to take steroids to beef up and seem "big" and "tough." on the opposite end, there are men in certain scenes who absolutely do feel pressure to be slim and boyish like a justin timberlake or jude law. and not everyone is either beefy or boyish. there are many attractive shapes in between, but the media doesn't tell us that. everyone is expected to live up to some particular standard.

Answer 8

"According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS,) a 2005 survey revealed an 11 percent increase over last year in male cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures. From year 2000, there has been a 44 percent increase."

I'd say that's a big "yes."

Answer 9

How do you mean?
As in do you think that men no longer want to look masculine?
Personally:
I feel better If i look more feminine as I'm fairly androgynous and slim anyway, I like the lesbian look, I doesn't make me gay though.
Generally:
Probably, there aren't any hyper masculine role models anymore, but I think women prefer feminine looking men anyway, and the hyper masculine look was probably just satisfying closeted 'no homos in this house' peoples lust for their own kind.

Answer 10

Yes but it manifests itself as expensive stuff ownership.
-rj