Never Too Buff
In the current American society, men are becoming more concerned about their body image than in the past. A trend that was considered common among women is now taking the men by storm as they spend more of their resources to look good. The article talks about the Adonis Complex that most American men are suffering from. This is motivated by the fact that Adonis, who is a famous actor ahs a perfect body that every man is aspiring to have. ‘The book argues that many men desperately want to look like Adonis because they constantly see the "ideal," steroid-boosted bodies of actors and models and because their muscles are all they have over women today’ (Cloud, 2). This has prompted most of them to spend considerable amount of money for their gyms, therapy and even massages. They are more worried about excess fat on their body parts, how their chests look like and basically having a smoother skin.
Men, just like women are often worried about their body looks and especially if it is likely to affect their relationship with girls. Men are also faced with the challenge of retaining their masculine nature amidst tough competition they receive from girls. Girls are working exceptionally smart and undertaking roles and activities that were exclusively associated with men (Goshgarian, 2010). This has left the men with the option of working on their general body appearance. The use of cosmetics, going for surgeries to correct a body defect and use of deodorants has become a common feature among men. Men have become more concerned about how they dress and how a particular clothing make them appear. Men are hence careful about the kind of colors they wear on a particular day and how their clothes make them feel and look.
How Men Really Feel About Their Bodies
Contrary to what many people assume that men are always satisfied about their bodies, statistics reveal that a good percentage of men are disturbed about their appearance. There is something about them they wish they could change, ‘But I'm not the only man who wishes his body looked more like Michael Jordan's and less like a vat of pudding’(Kennard, 9). Some of such features could be hereditary and thus making men feel disadvantaged. The only difference is that not all men will talk about their body features that make them feel uncomfortable or even seek help. They will choose to live with it and keep wishing that it were different. Ever man wishes to have that body physique that is associated with masculinity. It will therefore disturb the when they realize that they have for flesh on their bums and thighs yet they cannot hide it. They will try to suppress or even hide this by choosing clothing that will enhance their appearance. Others will also engage in other activities that will make them more acceptable and appreciated.
Self-image in image is motivated by the need to look better when with fellow men. this is considered to increase their rate of productivity as well as their morale. A man will always want to be on the top of the game and most probably be admired not only by women but also by men. They will therefore sacrifice all they have whether money, time or resources just to improve on their looks (Goshgarian, 2011). It gives a man more confidence when they know they are being looked at as normal rather than having defects. It is not natural for men to over react especially when a negative comment is said about their looks. They will choose to joke and laugh over it yet in the real sense they are concerned. Whenever they are encountered with such similar comments, they will look for ways through which they will improve their physique.
My Hips, My Caderas
Women tend to be more concerned about how other people look at them rather than what they feel about themselves. It is basically for this reason that women will do all they can to look like somebody else or to fit the desires of a particular person. In every woman’s life, there is a desire to be loved and appreciated. When they do not receive the attention they need, yet somebody else is getting it, they will tire to make themselves look like the other person (Valdes, 7). This makes their life more complicated especially when their new look is not appreciated either. It is obvious that what attracts a man to a woman is their appearance; this has made women to adopt lifestyles that are contrary to their desires just because they want to look attractive. What they fail to realize is that they are made attractive by how they feel more than how they look.
Women have a tendency of blaming men for the influence they cause on them. They have complained that men push them to the corner to make them look like the ideal women they desire. In the real sense, it is the women who frustrate themselves by not accepting and appreciating what they are (Goshgarian, 2011). Finding true image begins by a person knowing whom they are and appreciating themselves for what they are. They should do all they do not for other people but for themselves. When a person feels good about himself or herself, they are likely to attract attention and even admiration from others. The bottom line is that we are all different and trying to be like somebody else is a waste of time and resources which is likely to lead to more frustrations.
Goshgarian, G. (2011). The Contemporary Reader. London: Pearson Education Canada.
