The Media & Male Body Image.
 

It is often talked about how the media and modern fashion gives girls and unrealistic idea of perfection and what it is 'right' to look like.

However I personally feel in the last few years the way that males are represented is somewhat troubling for males and especially teenagers. In the same way that underweight models may cause girls to feel they need eating disorders to be 'thin enough', is it not just to have an equal concern about the 'buff', 'jacked' or 'perfect' men that are now spewed all over tv, magazines etc when it isn't really a reflection of a natural form. It could also be argued that being that way in body shape isn't unhealthy so the concern is lessened, but it does drive people to take protein powder (of which the long term effects are fully explored) and spend a somewhat troubling amount of time trying to perfect something that will never actually be perfection.

We even see this change in BB. For example since the channel 5 series' started, they have put very good looking males in the house with muscled bodies, where as when channel 4 broadcasted the show it was much more based upon personality. For example in BB8 people thought Liam was the 'fittest', but if he was put in the BB13 house as his 2007 self, I personally don't believe he would get a second glance.

Also does it give girls and women an unrealistic image of what men look like and what to expect from a partner aesthetically?

Discuss your opinions

Yes.

No problem with it, it drives us to have a healthier body and image.

it can encourage steroid abuse imho ....it takes a lifetime for a man to get whats considered the great male body, fitness , nutrition, discipline etc etc

its massive peer pressure

I guess it serves as motivation in some form..
I agree with what you are saying, the media tend to focus on eating disorders and obsession with perfection towards woman and then it becomes almost a taboo to discuss the same problem when it comes to males

all male issues are brushed off, male suicide, male health, male mortality rates, males losing 80%+ divorce cases and paternity, young males falling further behind in schools (Its more than 10% behind females aged 7 years old) right through to a levels

Why doesn't the media ever worry about other "unrealistic ideals"?

You never hear people complain when Stephen Hawking is on TV cause he gives an unrealistic ideal of intelligence, or when Adele comes on, she gives an unrealistic ideal of singing ability. Why is it only unrealistic bodies that they have a problem with?

WHat's wrong with celebrating excellence? be musical, scientific, or physical?

No one says during the olympics, that the athletes give an "unrealistic ideal" of athletic ability.

"Stephen Hawking is on TV"

He is to be featured in the Ch4HD Paralympics 2012
Opening ceremony Wed 29-Aug


On Ch5HD that Day is a Live Eviction.

Dont pay too much attention to the media tbh

We don't always agree you and I, do we. But I have to say... this is an excellent post.

Disagree - what females do in order to fit media stereotypes is a lot more unhealthy than what males do. Do let me know if you encounter any males who literally starve themselves and develop all kinds of eating disorders all in the name of attaining the "perfect" body.

Do you think male anorexia does not exist?

Never said it doesn't but it's a well-known fact that girls are far more likely to develop eating disorders.

http://www.seemescotland.org/findout...atingdisorders
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2192744.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1523129.stm
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealt...disorders.aspx

But that's neither here nor there. Males simply don't develop eating disorders by following male stereotypes. You have to eat right and go down the gym regularly, whereas females tend to starve themselves to follow media stereotypes.

I have a bit of chub and I like it, gives them something to hold onto. Ask Livia..

:laugh2:

I think the image of a well built man can be quite positive and it's not the same as it is for women. To get the typical ideal male body you have to eat right, work out regularly and generally lead an active lifestyle. I think that can be quite a positive message to put across while it's not the same for women, the typical media image when it comes to women is to be thin rather then healthy which is a dangerous message to send out.

Generally speaking though I think Alex has hit the nail on the head.

[2].

That is probably because women have felt pressured to look perfect for a long time. Before the only worries men had were bathing and shaving. Don't you think the better men are expected to look the more chances of them developing eating disorders.
I personally have no problem with hundreds of images of good looking men available at my finger tips but I can see the negative effect it can have on other people.

Yes, but the facts are still there. I know that women have felt pressured to look perfect but they still develop eating disorders a lot more than males. The reasoning behind why they do doesn't come in much here.

Did some googling and found this.
Source:http://dailynightly.nbcnews.com/_new...-anorexia?lite

I'm not disputing the facts. But it is also true that the number of men with eating disorders is rising.

Sure but that's not down to eating habits when they try to copy media stereotypes is it?

Mmmm...

long hair dont care