Confidence. Self Esteem.
Both subjects I take seriously.
In a society and culture where boys are thrust under the magnifying glass just as much as girls are,boys and men all over the Western world are now feeling the heat.
I read an article on The Guardian online concerning men and body image and much to my surprise — not, evidence shows that men worry more about their shape and appearance than women do.
I asked a group of 6 boys from my class, their opinion on their body image and how they think today’s society governs it so.
4 out of the 6 said that image is of a high criteria to them and added that they wouldn’t feel comfortable walking in public without making an effort, or doing their hair whether it be day or night. Some sense of shame or fear of ridicule was the deciding factor for many yet many don’t like to admit it.
*They all look the same!! *
“More than four in five men (80.7%) talk in ways that promote anxiety about their body image by referring to perceived flaws and imperfections, compared with 75% of women. Similarly, 38% of men would sacrifice at least a year of their life in exchange for a perfect body – again, a higher proportion than women.”
Dr Phillippa Diedrichs
“• 80.7% talked about their own or others’ appearance in ways that draw attention to weight, lack of hair or slim frame.
• 30% have heard someone refer to their “beer belly”, 19% have been described as “chubby” and 19% have overheard talk about their “man boobs (moobs)”.
• 23% said concerns about their appearance had deterred them from going to the gym.
• 63% thought their arms or chests were not muscular enough.
• 29% thought about their appearance at least five times a day.
• 18% were on a high-protein diet to increase muscle mass, and 16% on a calorie-controlled diet to slim down.”
Instead of posting all of the article from The Guardian I will leave a link down below so you can check figures for yourself. It is an eye opener to say the least. http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/06/body-image-concerns-men-more-than-women
Watch the video also… MANIPULATION
So… it’s not only women now who fall prey to the force that is photograph manipulation, men and boys have that poster or magazine cover that they aspire to, making their perception just as twisted as the next. What are we feeding our lads? We might as well have buses running around with “HI, YOU’RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH!” in bold italics.
Society needs to take a step back and truly piece back together the meaning of what it is to be confident, maybe taking confidence in being an intellect or having confidence in themselves for a certain ability or achievement. Reinforcing each other as a society and community is so important as well but considering we live in the “Age of Ultron” gaining back some humanity in order to do so may prove a little more challenging than before.
Another tangent ending by yours truly,
TVM
tayvmartin 