When reading this article I was reminded of something that
always comes up when you have a conversation with someone about the ill effects
of media on women’s body image. Someone always says, well now that happens to
men too. My response has always been that that is not the kind of equality I
want. And that is really why this article is so disturbing and powerful. It’s
not just women who are suffering because of unattainable gender ideals perpetuated
by the media, driven by capitalism. It’s all of us. This article is really proof
that men need feminism too.
The article is at its best when it identifies two larger trends.
The first is the rise of industries fueling and profiting off of men’s
insecurities such as Pro Wrestling, the gym and fitness complexes and men’s “health”
magazines. The second is the article’s main argument which ties the change in
ideals about men’s bodies to men’s perceived loss of power due to the feminist
and civil rights arguments. This is the same argument that Katz makes so well
in Tough Guise and it was excellent to see it here.
Why I believe these two pieces are the most important parts
of the article is that they identify how this Adonis complex is not individual
but systematic and societal. This is something big, this is about capitalism
and about power, who holds it and who believes they hold it. Men’s bodies, like
women’s bodies have always been, are becoming sites of cultural focus as
objects that are judged. Men’s bodies, like women’s bodies, are having false
power assigned to them. And the power of strength in this world is ultimately
as false of a power as women are told being thin is.
The hours men spend at the gym, the hours women spend
shopping ultimately do not profit themselves but corporations and their owners.
As we focus on our bodies we do not develop our minds. The article addresses
how men’s worry over their bodies has been largely invisible until now, not a subject
of scrutiny or discussion. Just like we have done with women’s worry, we must
do with men’s. We must make it visible as something that is done to us,
something that we are socialized to believe. That is the true solution for the
Adonis Complex.
I really like how you brought up how men's bodies being objectified is not the kind equality you want. It could be easy to say that we're making progress because now things are "equal" between men and women. Not only are women's bodies objectified in the media, but now men's bodies are, too. However, this should not be considered progress. The fact that men's bodies are being objectified only points to the fact that our society is becoming more and more obsessed with looks. Even though men are now getting cosmetic plastic surgery, doesn't make it right that women feel the need to get surgery to enhance their looks. Looking back on images of men and women from even just fifty or sixty years ago, it's incredible to see how the images have changed. Essentially, in the media, men are getting bigger and women are getting smaller. I think it's easy to think that men are immune to the messages that media images of masculinity sends, but this article makes it clear that this is far from being the case.
ReplyDeleteBrooke, I thought you made several excellent and interesting points that truly made me think about the effects present around us every day, even on a college campus. I laughed when you said that "men need feminism too," because, while ironic, this statement speaks so much to the fact that many gender, racial, and cultural groups are quite often the victims of societal influences. Like you, I thought of the film 'Tough Guise' within seconds of reading the article, and I remembered with awe the site of boy's action figures growing with unrealistic muscles and stern faces over the years, while Barbie literally shrunk (but perhaps her breast size remained the same on a tinier body!). I was interested in the point you made about men's bodies having "a false power assigned to them." You are astute in using the word 'assigned' because it appears that this aggressive and hyper-masculine concept is thrown upon boys as toddlers and they are constantly grappling to fulfill it. It is not a choice.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your entire post. Both women and men are portrayed unfairly by the media, yet it is only the women who talk and act out and voice their opinions of the injustices that industries cause their self esteem. Men seem not to realize that they are being unfairly taken advantage of as well, and it is important to note that, especially because companies prey on insecurities in order to make a profit. Men truly do need feminism too, otherwise these unfairnesses would never have been pointed out and scrutinized by many. Men would have continued to suffer even more than they already are, and their health would too, especially with pressures to look buff leading many to consume steroids. Steroids may make you more muscular, yet they are very detrimental to the health of the consumer. Men would continue to suffer if not for this discerning eye, and it is important to note that men are still suffering. Many groups have been formed in order to save women from themselves and give them positive body images, yet it is not the case for men because they need to be strong and stoic about their inner turmoil. It would be nice to see, someday, a group that advocated for healthy body images for men.
ReplyDelete