There is a lot of focus currently on very thin or underweight female models ... what about male models?

Question

I did some reading online and it sounds like male models are coming under more pressure to be thinner and thinner.

And yet there doesn't seem to be the same concern about them as for female models. Why is that?

Is it biological, because men can naturally be leaner than women without starvation? Or social, because it's believed that young men won't get eating disorders or suffer anxiety about their appearance the way a young woman might?

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/06/05/1212259007491.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2

Answer 1

I think men just understand that they don't have to look like models a little better than women do.  If I see some bodybuilder model, I don't really feel inadequate, as I understand that normal people don't really look like that.

That said I have read something about increasing amounts of eating disorders in men.  It's quite disturbing really.

Answer 2

It actually sounds like this phenomena is occurring due to the influence of the "emo" look.  A lot of emo guys have this willowy look at their young age. You are right in saying that these guys will have less hard of a time managing the lean look. Most teenage and young adult-aged guys don't have natural muscle.  We actually have to go to the gym to brawn up.  So it is a little easier for a young guy to lose muscle then it is to gain it at that age.  This is  definitely influenced by a trend.  It probably hasn't gained that much attention and concern in terms of possible eating disorders because it is a relatively new development based on a fad.  If it becomes a mainstay in the fashion industry people will probably pay more attention to the health, nutrition and body image challenges that these young men will face.  It may present difficulties in maintaining a waif-like physiognomy as a guy grows older just like it does with women.  We'll have to watch and see how long this trend last.

Answer 3

Dudes don't look at male models and feel that they need to look like that to be validated the same way women do. Chicks are much more into looks as a way of identifying who and what they are. Not saying it's right. Just the way it is.

Answer 4

Men are valued by society for more than their looks.  ...

Answer 5

The male models are expected to be muscled, and in a way that is not necessarily normal, so many take steroids, like athletes.  This danger to their health is serious and VERY overlooked by the media.  Steroid use KILLS, besides making the men more violent.

Answer 6

Like it or not, how men look matters a lot less for their social standing than for women's.  It's just an unavoidable fact.

Answer 7

Men for the most part, don't care how other men look. We aren't as intimidated. It has been said that men dress good for women, while women dress good for other women as well.

Answer 8

It is true that men are not pressured to be as thin as woman are but they are pressured for other things. Instead of having to be as thin as physically possible they need to be as buff as can be and constantly excersize. You need to see that 6 pack or you won't see that model anywhere big.