What do feminists and everyone else think of this?

Question

I heard on the radio someone saying that women blow media ideals out of proportion and use it as a scapegoat for their own insecurities and issues. His reason is because boys have the same sort of imagery in regards to how a man should look thrown at them from an early age also.

He gave examples of action figures, cartoon charachters, magazines, runway models, etc. I started thinking, he was right. Every superman or batman action figure I've had has had perfectly sculpted abs, muscular shoulders, square jaws and everything else that would seem ideal. Don't even get me started on the movie "300".

Can you imagine what young boys think their bodies should look like but they generally don't feel the need to point a finger at media, toy makers, etc.

Answer 1

Raphy you don't state your source and judging by your additional details you are not asking a question, rather you are seeking conformation for a belief. However, there is nothing wrong with that and you make a valid point.

Insecurity is an human condition and not gender specific. It has many sources including unrealistic and idealistic expectations of how people should be. These are often culturally bound  - in this instance through images and stories we are exposed to in contemporary media. Humans are social creatures seeking affirmation, a sense of self worth, belonging and recognition. We do this in very many ways and certainly by comparison to what we see and hear around us.

But I don't agree that women 'blow media ideals out of proportion'.

Women are objectified in a very specific way and have been for a very long time - not seen as heroes or  great achievers as a given. The central - and ultimately powerful - characters in stories for millennia have been men. There are exceptions it is true, but they are the exceptions. Historically, power has lain in the hands of men. Fortunately there is some redress in some societies although not all (I'm a humanist not a feminist.)

There have always been stories of endeavour, valour, courage and heroism. Realists enjoy them and recognise them for what they are - a bit 'god-like'. They often encourages people to do their best, rather than resent it but most see none of us are perfect and are happier for it.

Answer 2

The difference is, that fat hairy pale men are rich movie starts, Will Farrel, Jack Black etc... They get lots of money and women and the women they get are 10's.  A fat hairy pale woman does not get the same reaction.  You see attractive women with not so attractive men but do you ever see attractive men withi non attractive women?  No.  I weighed 90 lbs in high school and thought I was fat b/c I didn't look like the women posted all over the guys lockers.  I didn't realize that those women have personal traners and access to liposuction and breast implants and lip jobs and botox and what ever.  Plus the pictures are air brushed to make them look perfect and take off 10 lbs.  Men would all like to look like the guys from 300 I'm sure but its more on women.  Men can look however they want women have to be perfect.

Answer 3

Because men don't have magazines and t'v adverts screaming at them to lose weight or look perfect.

Also, men don't have women going on and on about their apperance and being sexually harrased every other day.

Men don't have a clue.

Answer 4

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Everyone takes all types of mediums to seriously. I mean come on look at fox news, does anyone take that seriously? We are always being indoctrinated, this is how the media works.

They tell us we are not good enough people so that we buy their products!! So we scrape, augment, sculpt, enhance, reduce, maintain.. blah ******* blah blah blah! They don't care how someone feels about them self, they care about making money for their big fat cat in their ivory tower! If anyone buys into it, then sucks for them; if they're that stupid that's not my problem.

YOU ARE NOT the clothes you wear, how many shoes you have and the six pack you "think" you need. It's idiocy. Never believe anything they tell you in the media, never believe what you see, they'll fake anything to make their millions. Rage against the machine, unhook the cogs and let the people rise!

EDIT: You're missing the point, who gives a **** where the anger is directed? It wouldn't be there if it wasn't presented to them. Too much ego, that's what they have given our generation. We don't get together and fight against wrong doings in the Government; no we do our hair and sculpt our abs! Oh dear it makes me mad. People have to listen to youth, instead of telling them how to think, act and be listen to how they really want to act think and be!

Answer 5

Well it's not just toys. 9/10 young boys are pushed into sports at a very young age because that's just "what happens". Women never comment on that because it's the "done thing". Now, 9/10 boys love sports, but imagine the scenario: 1 girl and 1 boy don't really want to do sports at school: I bet the girl doesn't have to if she can get enough of a reason to her parents, but the parents of the boy will just say "Tough. go do it."

I think feminism will eventually go too far. I'm not against equality, but most of the feminists you see out and about don't want equality.

Answer 6

okay that is wrong and weird.,

Answer 7

The media reflects our desires and fantasy of being king.  Women are still viewed in the media as trophies and s*x objects.  but that is changing tremendously. I've seen it happen in my life of only 39 so far.

Although slowly changing, men still rule the workplace.  This our last bastion of power because women have taken over everything else.  So we men don't have to worry about having the perfect figure.  Big fat men can be said to look like Teddy bears.  But women of the same girth are labeled as sows (small breasted) and cows (large breasted).

If the teddy bear has lots of money, he can attract young and perky girls.  Not the case for the cash cow.  Work will always be the last bastion of power because women are taking over the western world.

  They dictate when, where, and how often we will have s*x.  They have the last word on pregnancy.  They, and g*y men, dictate the fashion world.  Barbecue grills are becoming more and more like kitchen stoves because 40% of grill sales are influenced by women.  Cowboy Action shooting events are catering to women because they have the biggest influence in the sport.  Modern Sports stadiums have more bathrooms for women.  NASCAR explode as business when they started advertising Tide and became a "family" event.

Why do you think women have so much influence?  Because they are pressured to have perfect figures, and the ones who do have men wrapped around their fingers.  My first car was sold to me by a very pretty, large chested, brunette.  Implants no doubt but they were NICE!

If it were not for her b***s, I would have bought a VW instead of a Honda.

So I would agree that women have some legitimate claim feel the pressure of having a nice body.  But they have a warped sense of what a nice body is.  They are not happy because they  find fault whereas men look for the good qualities of bodies.  This is why men can play  topless in public, despite their imperfections.  (Examples of this is Sumo, American Football, Rugby, Baseball, Body building, and tournament fishing.)  Women who have fat bodies will not enter wet tee shirt contests because they are embarrased about their stomachs when the contest is about their b***s.   Some girls don't want to have s*x with the lights on because they are embarassed of thier imperfections-- HELLO women, we WANT to see you NAKED.  Turn on the lights.

I guess my answer is yes on image but no on excuses on the responsible behavior.  It is the promescuity of men that the western women are so screwed.  This is because the workplace gives us money.  Money is power. Power corrupts.

Answer 8

You mean kinda like how women are all suppose to be 5' 10', skinny and blond?  We have that shoved in our faces, so I know what you mean.  The media is not good for people's self esteem.  I don't know what this has to do  with being a feminist.

Many guys have low self-esteem because of this, they just aren't vocal about it, it doesn't mean it doesn't bother them.

Answer 9

I certainly see your point, but the key word in your question is "action" figure.  The male goal is action.  Action (what the figure did) is more important than what the figure looks like.  With Barbie dolls, and models it is simply what the woman looks like that is important.  No action or realistic goal required.  

Answer 10

Just because men have not made a point of saying the media etc has a hand in this doesn't mean the media isn't partially responsible. Perhaps men on the whole are happy to try and conform to the images, or feel like a cissy if they complain.

The average media view of men is pretty one-dimensional, even down to how men emotionally respond. The truth is that some people dismiss them and some don't. The feminist view seems to be that young girls, already at a disadvantage in society, are more vulnerable to messages that promise them some social inclusion and acceptance. How true that view is, I don't know.

Answer 11

i have never thougth about it. there is alot of presure on guys aswell as women...

nice question

xoxo

Answer 12

This really is true.

Another example is that the majority of ads in magazines aimed at women contain female models, and most, beautiful, at that.

Feminism likes to deny human nature, or, at least man's nature.  Women are the flowers that attract the bee, and men are the bee, it really is simple, even if feminism wishes to deny this.

Answer 13

"...boys have the same sort of imagery in regards to how a man should look thrown at them from an early age also."

Yes, which is why eating disorders are RAPIDLY on the rise among young men. It seems that young men are starting to attaining "equality" in body image insecurity with young women.

Answer 14

It's not just their body image.

Women don't realise that men have a lot of things that put pressure on them, their manliness in general.

If you get an earring your called g*y, want to be a hairdresser your g*y!

They get insecure about their "size" just like girls get insecure about things.

I do admit sometimes guys do get better treatment but yes the woman do blow it out of proportion.

I agree =]

chloe

Answer 15

maybe the point you're trying to make is that males and females are different, which is true.  and somewhere deep coded in our dna is how we react to certain stimuli and process them.

Answer 16

Hummm

He might have a point exempt young men are having similar troubles with media vs self esteem as young women.

Body image, media, steroid used in boys

http://drrobyn.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/...

http://www.shapingyouth.org/blog/?p=1795

http://parentingteens.about.com/od/bodyi...

Lets not hurt our young men more by denial or ignoring the issue.

Answer 17

Products that could make boys look like superheroes tend not to be marketed half as much as products that could make girls look like models.

Answer 18

Well gee, if that is what you heard "someone" say on the RADIO, who are we to argue!

Cheers :-)

Answer 19

im not a feminist but dont you think men do the same, everyone in the media does it

Answer 20

I guess the secret is to accept ourselves for who we are and let the media date planet Uranus.

Answer 21

pretty much 99.9999999999% of all womens issue are created by women.  

Answer 22

think about it, society preconditions us from birth to fulfill our gender roles, it gives us a sense of identity so isn't always necessarily a bad thing.

However balance needs to be found throughout a childs early years where girls are encouraged with mechanics etc and lads to converse and socialise in a civilised manner

jmho

Answer 23

You are right. I have been overweight most of my life and the whole media ideals c**p never affected me. Why? Because I have always had a positive self image and good self esteem. I guess my parents knew what they were doing. Of course I have never LOVED being over weight, but I don't get all whiny about it like a lot of women do.

Answer 24

The media and tv certainly add to the insecurities that women have about their bodies, however I think men are more to blame for it.  They are usually the reason that women are thriving to have the unrealistic body.    

Answer 25

Bull Winkle!!!

Boys had someone fit to look up to.

So what boy, guy, dude, man do you know of who was upset that he could never look as good (roflmao) as GI Joe?

Or was depressed that Superman only looked like a nerd w/ his glasses on.

Just another fox news sounding story to distract us.

  

Answer 26

Why do you separate "feminists" from "everyone else"?

Boys are less influenced by media images of ideal bodies because boys are conditioned from an early age that their strength, intelligence and work ethic are greater indicators of their future success than their appearance.

Girls are conditioned from an early age that much of their worth as human beings is tied to their appearance.  

Perhaps if we conditioned our children differently, these media images would hold absolutely no influence over them at all.