Who actually has the more psychologically harmful body image portrayed by the media: men or women?

Question

I ask this because I have often been told repeatedly how women grow up trying to look like models and how unrealistic that is, but I never hear men's side of the story. Growing up I saw images of men with six packs and perfectly v-shaped bodies. The women were basically just not fat and did some yoga or light workouts to get toned. Do women even understand how hard it is to get your body fat below 12%? I don't see where women are given such an unrealistic body image to obtain. It's actually men who have to workout for years to obtain that which is on the magazines.

Oram52 · Accepted Answer

Neither. Its like saying video games cause violence. You're under no obligation to consume such media. People with psychological disorders like anorexia they have no control. Sure there is proportion of people who find it difficult not be negatively affected by it, and affects their self image. But ultimately its up to us to find ways not such things let us affect us. Are we affected by people with jet set lifestyle?

That said its definitely women. Many fashion magazines portray anorexic models, which is unhealthy and hard to attain, worse guys don't even find anorexic models attractive. Guys do have to be muscular which but anorexic models is bad. However I agree it is easier for women to be in shape ie be fit and toned, than men who have to be muscular.

You also have to take into account proportions. At least 70% of such media is targeted at women. So it would have more negative affect on women.

Its also simply due to dating dynamics, women are the one that attract mate. It also gives them disproportionate power in dating dynamics. That's why media targeted at men usually also show hot, fit women, and same reason media targeted at women also show hot, fit women. Naturally fit women would attract more desirable mate. So even media targeted at women includes women.

That said where exactly is this "harmful" "negative" effects. Over 60% of UK population is overweight or obese, I'm sure its even higher in America. So where is this harmful affects? Where I live women are mostly overweight and put hardly any effort in appearance, think Seattle in America or San Francisco.

I think its more in the lines of its making me feel bad so stop showing it, instead of fit girls being bad. That's what fat acceptance movement is harassing anyone not including plus-size ie fat models.

The objective of media is to portray sex and glamour, so they would obviously include hot and fit men and women. They are selling a fantasy. How many people would buy what media is selling if the models were fat? Sex sells that's just the way it is.

Majority of people can distinguish between fantasy and reality. Majority of women don't take Romance novels literally. Majority of men don't think reality looks like porn.

Everyone should strive to be their very best, everyone should strive to be fit, at least within healthier weight range.

Apope16 · Accepted Answer

Both. And it is horrible. I dont profess to defend the "everyone is beautiful" movement. I dont agree with that. And I dont agree with fat positivity because heart disease is a major issue in America. It is the second leading cause of death and 66% of the population is either obese or overweight. However, I believe that extreme representations of body and status and even home wealth is very negative in society. It is horrible with men and women. Nearly every hollywood movie you see families in two story houses or single women living in massive houses that are $300,000. LIke what? No. EVeryone I know lives in an apartment or has a roomate. I think the movie "NOtting HIll" is best.

FOr me, going on youtube and seeing men's magazines really motivated me to push my body building workouts to a new level. I went form being anemic to gainig 20 pounds each winter to build muscle and then losing it. Over the last 3 years the gains are massive. But this year during a cutting face I wanted more prominent 6 pack abs. So I worked out and went to bed without eating to lower my weight. I woke up the next day feeling shitty. We had a medical event in our corporate office where we got tested that day. I found out my blood sugar was 47. It was a deadly blood sugar because I had not eaten in 12 hours because I wanted more defined abs. So you have to realize that shit isn't real. You also have to realize that women are sexually turned on by flat abs or firmness, not the extreme ab bulging out type of thing that I attempted. I am just a regular guy and the media portrayal nearly put me in a dangerously low blood sugar for a day. If it could happen to me it could happen to anyone. Whats even scarier is when you do extreme things sometimes people compliment your look... which only makes your dangerous activity worse.

el_Te_de_la_Rosa · Accepted Answer

Let's take a look at these...

+ What's an objective to look attractive?
For men, to get married to someone and reproduce? -- Maybe I'm wrong.
For women, to have many sexual partners as possible? -- I could be wrong again.

+ Who has much limited time in dating games?
For men, they're expired after 30? -- Yes or no?
For women, we age like cheese? -- Could be Casu Marzu.

+ Who tends to have undergone surgeries more?
For men, they need full lips, slim nose, double eyelids, toned waist, big boob, big butt? -- Eh?
For women, ? -- I can't think of any. Everyone has a social-acceptably default look since they were born.

+ Who can archive other facets of life rather than just appearance?
For men, nothing else. Body image is everything. If you're not handsome, no one wants you? -- hmmm...
For women, people don't care for their looks at all because they can be smart, financially stable, have social status and many more? -- ...

Well, I really can't tell. No idea. I can't judge.

lumos · Accepted Answer

Statistically speaking, more women suffer from eating disorders and according to research and studies, women tend to experience more negative thoughts concerning body image than men do. Women are more likely to judge themselves as overweight than males.

"Numerous researchers have studied body dissatisfaction in recent years (Abel & Richards, 1996; Byrne & Hills, 1996; Cash et al., 2004; Fallon & Rozin, 1985; Fear et al., 1996; Lamb et al., 1993; Tiggeman & Pennington, 1990; Tiggeman, 1992). In this study replicates the findings of Fallon and Rozin. They concluded that 33% of men and 70% of women rate their current figure as larger than ideal and that body dissatisfaction among women is much larger than for men."

Not saying men don't have it hard. But according to studies, women do obsess more over body image in a harmful way.

Starrk · Answer

Easily women. Girls are constantly told they need to remain slim, youthful, have no stretch marks, no cellulite, be clean-shaven, nice hair and must be picture perfect at all times. A simple stroll through a store will show this. Women have so many products geared to them that are meant to "enhance" their features. If that doesn't convince you, then look at the value of the female beauty industry. The female beauty industry is valued at nearly $550 billion (and is expected to go up to $800 billion by 2023). Meanwhile, the male equivalent is valued at about $100 billion, and even that number is greatly inflated due to the gay male population.

The only physical attribute required by men is that we don't be obese which isn't a hard task to accomplish as long as you eat right. Staying in decent shape as a male is not an impossible task. Hell, you don't even need a gym for that. Meanwhile, women are expected to look just like their high school pictures despite being 38 years old with 2 kids.

crazy8000 · Answer

It's the male. since it's a unhealthy body image of someone that has odrodoxsi with to low body fat count no matter area in difference of female's and the personality how to be to be a real man in difference of female's, that is bombarded from female's most of the times, something that is rare the other way around that males rarely does toward females.

The female image on the physical part isn't unhealthy, it's a stereotypical healthy image un less you're going after photoshopped Instagram models, some old catwalk standards and the extreme body building and fitness just like with males that is projected to be like that in most areas.
Yeah females might be more bombarded with body of a average healthy body. female's are many times more lazy and doesn't want to change their habits that will make them stay obsessive. uses victim strategy as an excuse with unrealistic theories to back it up.
An other thing is that to many females creates their own bombardment to get attention and make money.

Bottom end is females standards for most of the bombardment for both genders.

AuroraRoseat · Answer

Women are constantly assaulted with messages that, if you don't conform to that type, are negative towards us especially if we internalize the message.

Here's the thing though: we support each other and have outside support to let us know that we shouldn't listen to the BS that society says.

Men are now being accosted with the same messages... but there isn't really support for them. I hear it and I say it, but there isn't really groups saying that men are being targeted and absorbing toxic messages.

One reason why, I feel, is because most men are still stuck in that mindset that they are WEAK if they admit they have some type of an issue. So they don't come forward and speak up. That silence is what is truly killing a lot of men.

happyhedgehog · Answer

I would say women, because the "perfect body" is often portrayed as being extremely thin, to the point of even being underweight. I might be biased, as someone who had dealt with eating disorders, but I remember it being very damaging to my mental health. I was barely able to function, and many girls have it much worse than me. To this day I still struggle, and probably will struggle for the rest of my life. Not saying men don't have it hard, but at least they're allowed to eat like a normal human being

Felinegirl · Answer

Striving to be underweight is way more dangerous than striving to gain muscle. Women who try to gain that unrealistic body tend to skip meals or eat weird, resulting in malnutrition which can be disastrous for health. Anorexia is the most deadly mental disease to date.

Striving to be muscular doesn't have the same dangers. Sure, it can become an obsession just the same, but at least it won't easily kill you.

In addition, there's always been more attention to female looks than to males. Just see how many pictures of 'ideal' women you see per day compared to men.

purplepoppy · Answer

I think men have it harder than women. All we need to do is keep a eye on our weight. Men on the other hand are expected to have huge muscles and without the right genes that's not always possible. Most men who go to the gym don't pack on as much meat, if any, that they would like.

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

It's not fair. It's not balanced. Why?
The portrayal of overweight, morbidly obese and/or even scrawny men will never be glorified as "body positive" because women & media will consider it "gross!" Meanwhile, grossly obese women are now being pushed down our throats as "sexy?" Since the dawn of mankind, objectivity of women captured societies. It became expected & normal for women to show more skin. Now, even too much skin (that covers lots of blubber) is being promoted as sexy. Yet, if & when a obviously fat or scrawny man gets posted on the cover of a magazine with skimpy clothing, he'll be body shamed. I'm not saying the men should have their 15 minutes of fame too. I'd rather cease the promotion of fake female sexiness. This body positive crap is abusing the limelight. It's not healthy. It's harmful.

rjroy3 · Answer

I say women mostly because they are more effected by the same thing than men are to begin with, then on top of that. Most of their idols body shapes are girls with surgeries, girls with superior genetics or girls with unhealthy habits/touched up end product through photoshop. It's s fantasy shape that doesn't exist so girls are chasing an illusion

So girls are working with idols that aren't even attainable from the jump. While us guys the vast majority of physiques we would want to have are attainable for most guys. Sure you might not ever have a perfectly symmetrical 6 pack or your calf/bicep insertions aren't the way you want. But overall you still look good and can get close through hardwork.

Same can't necessarily be said for girls, which is why there are constantly pushes to have new female rolemodels in the limelight of various shapes and sizes. Girls who look more like a subset of the population.

stardust101 · Answer

Women for sure. We’ve learned through the media that a particular body image is the most appealing that can only be attained through cosmetic surgery or suffering eating disorders. It’s rare when a man has a eating disorder, but I assume that muscle obsession is a body image problem. Most men are confident having some muscle definition but the guy you posted in men’s health, It’s photo shopped just like every woman you see in magazines. his waist is abnormally too narrow. What I’ve learned is that people need to stop comparing themselves to the people in magazines because the people in magazines are fake. And people need to stop trying to obtain an unrealistic goal. By all means, if you like working out and you have muscle definition and a flat stomach, then you already look great to real life standards.

kittycat119 · Answer

Women. Not just in media but at home we're told to not at so much, suck in your stumach or you'll look fat. And a lot of other mean things. I was literally told that even as a 8 year old. And even when I was actually skinny my senior year and down to like 80 pounds I still had boys and girls saying I was fat. Men have a hard time. But lots of women don't really talk shit on men without abs or whatever like men claim we do. Sure they're nice to look at. But of the time that's all it is. Men really do now a days want some small waisted huge titty ass chick. Which is not realistic. Most women don't particullay care as much about the look of her man to that degree like they claim we do

emmily2396 · Answer

It is unrealistic because skinny women don't usually have huge boobs and asses, and even if they do, big boobs=back pain+problems finding bras. You can't grow huge boobs and ass unless you are genetically lucky. Let's not forget that the big ass must come with skinny legs and thigh gaps because fuck reality. Who cares it doesn't look proportional? Women are just boobs and ass, nothing should draw your attention from those. Oh, and big duck lips, make sure you get injections, not just a boob and ass job.

And as a woman who works out with weights all I can say move your ass to the gym. You don't need to go below 12% to look good. Actually I find too ripped guys not appealing. 12%-17% is sustainable for a guy and will look good if you worked hard. Most girls don't find Mr. Olympia level attractive, or too ripped guys. Being generally fit is attractive. If you look at the celebs girls usually find hot they are fit, but nothing that is not naturally achievable or hard to mantain.

ClearerAtN1ght · Answer

I don't think what the media protrays is healthy for either sex. I've known both male and female anorexics. I've know both sexs with really f'd up body image views. I've had male friends obessed with body building to a dangerous degree. Just as I've known women that are always dieting and never relaxing about how they look.
Body view problems are on the rise for both sexes.
Really I think the only defense is to try to support each other and our youth with positive body image views. To value healthy over being a size zero or having a six pack.

why_am_i_here · Answer

Everyone who is saying women have it worse are close minded. Both sides have it bad and it can't really be judged equally because everyone thinks they have it worse than the other so this argument will go on for ages. It is true that women have eating disorders more often than men but this difference isn't about body portrayal by the media it's about how women and men take it differently. Men seem to care much less which I think is due to the fact that women have more pressure. This pressure doesn't just come from the media but from the general public. It is much more likely for a woman to be ridiculed on her appearance than a man based off of my observations not from the internet but just from daily life.

13IsALuckyNumber · Answer

Based off what you’re saying, men.
Based off logic, and women.
Not all men are trying to get there bodies to look like that because it is more socially access to able for men to just be not fat with slight muscles.
Women on the other hand have a lot of pressure on that. It is socially acceptable for them to be like, very skinny, men will likely choose an attractive women over a mediumly attractive women (that sounded wrong, probably was, who cares).
To sum up, women need to look better than men do to become more socially acceptable.

JakeMist86 · Answer

I feel like this is not really a fair question. It is based on what is harder to achieve, I agree the 8 pack and there is likely more difficult than the girl in yoga pants. However, the main thing I think about here is that women are WAY more objectified for their bodies than we are. While you might feel like you need to look good, fact is they are told they need to look good, all of their life. Once you hit 30 no one cares that you got beer belly and don't shave. Women have the sociatle expectation to keep up appearances all of their lives, otherwise they are considered gross in mainstream beauty standards...

So yes, the 8 packs and v lines might be harder to obtain, but after you get out of high school and develop a real personality, this is not the general expectation for men, some of us go above and beyond but we don't get called out for being average. Where as I said before it is the expectation that women stay trim and fit...

Thatsamazing · Answer

Neither, because OURS isn't actually harmful (exercising hard and eating nutritiously is a GOOD thing, let's remember), and currently THEIRS doesn't encourage anything other than the lie of "hey, do literally whatever you want including stuff your face if you feel like it, and you'll still be pretty no matter what! And if anyone says that you're fat, even if you are, that's their problem for being a 'body-shamer,' whatever the hell that is!"

Now, if you'd asked this question before the Internet existed the answer would be THEIRS. Guys has never been harmful. But now, females' image isn't harmful either, just for the wrong reason. It seems that females no longer feel the pressure to actually be an attractive body weight anymore, given how many of them are so breathtakingly fat.

akiflyer · Answer

Men obviously; its just that women love playing the victim more often.

Men need to have abs, big muscles, look mature, great hair... even stuff men can't change like height! Women? Just don't be fat.

If you don't believe me, pick any game with character creation and on a male character try to make him as lanky and least muscular possible. You'll still end up with a pretty buff man. Almost all games do this, especially Asian games. Some Example: Soul Calibur, Code Vein, dark souls..

Anonymous · Answer

Physically speaking it's far more difficult to obtain the media portrayal for men than it is for women. Psychologically speaking it affects more women because a woman's body is their main goal for attracting men. A mans main goal is to gain power/status and if the guy also has a really hot body then his status/power doesn't need to be as high. So, psychologically, I'd say women but if you have a man and a woman who are both trying to obtain the media portrayal of their respective sexes body image the man is going to have a harder time achieving said goal.

The6ix · Answer

I would say women and girls and I think thats why women and girls may be very knit picky with guys or men as well because they are tired of getting judged so now they'll judge the opposite sex harshly as well, an eye for an eye. This is why we should stop attacking and body shaming others. Of course its better to be healthier and to be active you will look great and feel great but that doesn't mean it's the end all be all. I mean look at Ashley Graham, she's on the bigger side with stretch marks but I think she's beautiful.

Lauren-green · Answer

Woman.. I only say that because most of the time we are expected to change things we naturally can't, like our boob size, ass size, lip size etc. Men can work out to get the "ideal" body, there is a lot more expected of woman and people judge you a lot more if you don't fit into that "ideal" body shape, compared to men.

sejla · Answer

I would have said for women in the past but it is getting just as bad for men. I watch Korean dramas and so many of the male actors keep up extremely buffed bodies but it is a lot of work and it means watching their food intake all the time. Whenever an actor gets even a bit heavier not even pudgy people come out of the wood work with criticism and god forbid they actually age and get wrinkles.

hellionthesagereborn · Answer

Men, women just have to not be fat, men have to, in order to get that physique, work out hours a day and have extreme diets, again, women just have to not be fat.

confusedrepeatedly · Answer

Guys have it awful girls have it awful in different ways girls have options and things to make them look pretty even if thirty seconds w a Kleenex wipes it all away a guy who's ugly is ugly has a nice personality just doesn't cut it
Girls may feel more pressure and that's understandable but they can relieve the pressure easier than guys I think but remember guys just dont have anyone to talk about and many guys just hate how they look but are scared to Express themselves

laneller · Answer

Being someone who is still growing up, its both. Butttttttttt. You guys don't have to worry about weight loss. Its EXTREMELY hard for women to lose weight. And you also don't have to carry around a growing human being in your body for nine months and have everyone expect you to lose the weight like its nothing. But hey who am I to say, I'm only 17.

NineBreaker · Answer

Standards of beauty can be relative to differing cultures through time and geography. I think that being easily influenced by such standards indicates that the is a character defect in some. Some level of insecurity is not unusual, but to much of anything is bad.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes, media portray men with a unrealistic beauty standards and I also think that should be stopped. However, women HAVE TO meet certain beauty standards like havin perfectly shaved and smooth body while nobody give a fuck if a man have six backs or if he shaves himself or not. Like If i go out with my hairy legs out people going to judge me, take pics of me, or make fun of me. Men are allowed to be ugly.

Cherokeehp · Answer

Women by far. Women are insecure about things that men would never be concerned about. Men just want a six pack. I’ve heard of women getting their armpit fat liposuctioned because they thought they had ugly armpits. I know women that shave their toe hairs. I once tried to use a lightening cream because I thought my ankles were too dark. Women by far have worse body image. Why do you think women spend billions of dollars on beauty supplies and surgery?

dragonfruitA · Answer

Typically women, which is why these days there's been major agreement about changing the notion of holding an ideal image of the female body/beauty. I'm sure men go through the same pressure to reach a certain expectation - abs, etc., it's just not talked about as much, I don't know why.

Liam_Hayden · Answer

Women. As long as a guy isn't fat or ugly he has a chance. While the same is true for women, their standards for fat and for ugly are far more strict than men's are. Add to that the sheer number of guys who are addicted to porn and judge women by those ridiculous standards.

FictionalCharacter · Answer

Read this in a magazine story awhile back. Can relate

NerdInDenial · Answer

Obtaining six pack abs or more requires discipline and hard work. Having a good body shape is not too difficult to obtain. In recent times, one can argue based on observations from online dating, men are much more forgiving in their definition of a hot female body compared to a clearly defined standard for “ hot men: six pack.”

Mädchen · Answer

Both have to struggle with this. But I think it's more socially accepted to make fun of Guys who don't meet the standart. Meaning Penis size Jokes. I don't think most women care about abs

mistixs · Answer

I did a poll asking who engaged in unhealthy or dangerous activities to acquire or maintain a certain physical appearance (I have examples such as starving oneself, using steroids, etc). Most women said they have, most men said they haven't.

OddBeMe · Answer

Women. No contest. Just look at how many aisles of skin care, hair care, etc in stores. Men have the muscle mags, but women are set against impossible beauty standards. And it’s literally impossible because photos are airbrushed and photoshopped. Trust me I do this for a living.

aaronbw · Answer

Women have this issue worse. Depending on body types, diet and metabolic speeds, men can build themselves pretty fast and much more muscle.

Women are told they need to be sexy and have to do all this shit to look like what the media wants them to be. Women want acceptance just as men do so they put themselves through hell and back for trim figures.

Anonymous · Answer

Women definitely have it worst when it comes to body image portrayal. However, they're usually the very same ones to call another woman fat. Women in general treat other women terribly. So while I feel for them, at the same time I just don't really care when they complain about it. Women are notorious for saying they won't date short men, so they can just get over it.

Anonymous · Answer

It's harder to achieve big boobs, a small waist, and large hips+butt, because that's genetically impossible for most women (without surgery). It's not easy for men to look like a male model too of course! But it's more physically possible (with a shit ton of work).

Celtero · Answer

Women: don't be fat. Men: Need big muscular arms, chest, shoulders, back, and legs. Hopefully you can afford the gym membership and all that protein.

dbr1987 · Answer

Men because women only have to eat less to get a desirable body but for a men to get a attractive body hè has to work out hard. To distinguish yourself with your body as a men you have to work every Day in the gym but if a Female is genetically blessed she has a beautifull body Just by eating healthy

Andreadeb · Answer

It's different...

women need to lose fat (change eating)

men need to lose fat and gain lot of muscles!!! (change eating and training like a crazy monkey)

BUT: women has much more pressures on this side... ex: there are much more advertisement with "perfect" (as we can call it) women than men.

Anonymous · Answer

Your general point is true. The difference is that beauty matters more for women's relational and personal success in life. Sure, attractiveness helps a guy. But being unattractive does not hinder him as much.

DanOh2018 · Answer

Well, the media is not very kind to fat men, always showing them as bumbling cowardly or evil. In general people are less comfortable in their own skin.

I'm pretty sure it's worse for women though, because so much of their precived social value is related to looks for reproductive reasons.

klore · Answer

I honestly feel like it's pretty equal on both sides. If this was 5 years ago then I would say that women have it harder but now I've noticed that men have really high expectations to when it comes to appearances

Anonymous · Answer

Oh please! This is just so much crap! Some people are hotter than others--it's just a fact. Just like some people are smarter, more talented, richer, anything. Everyone has a choice--do the best you can with the hand you're dealt or while like a little bitch.

eila7 · Answer

Loll your example is irrelevant if not all, most magazine photographs are photoshopped!  sorry, but this is just so petty. what is with people trying to victimize themselves over stupid shit.

Rangers · Answer

Men, easily. They always put these steroid junkies with photo shop on the magazines while they literally put a whale on the female cover of a magazine recently.

SomeGuyCalledTom · Answer

I live by a simple rule: Ignore most people (and by extension, most media). I can't be "harmed" by a body image I pay no attention to.

nerms123 · Answer

I think guys are harmed by porn because they have giant dicks

Doodabeat · Answer

Women are more concerned about their own image. Either way its not as bad as it seems because regular exercise is one of the greater determining factors of your mental health.

genericname85 · Answer

men obviously. cause the female idal body is easily achievable by just not eating like a landwhale. the mens idal body is impossible to achieve without at least 3 days of hard workout a week and micronutrient level diet plan.

lyssagirl · Answer

Both... one word to defend my opinion. Guys have heman

Gottabsavagee · Answer

I agree. Women can easily achieve “model shape” by plastic surgery while guys have to work hard.

Adam_INTJ · Answer

Physically: men because steroids and heavy weights Psychologically: women because men ARE attracted to physiology most. But it's also because girls take the body image stuff way too seriously.

Babygirl_S · Answer

I am beautiful but I was called ugly here by ugly men as well as women so I'd say women have it worse. Even the pretty girls are not spared.

Lightning8 · Answer

Women expect their men to be larger and more massive, hence men kill themselves to get "big muscles". Guys are more likely to feel they are not "big enough. That research you used is skewed. Listen to what Men say.

clampfan101 · Answer

Physically it seems harder for men, but psychologically it seems harder for women. Men need to do serious training, but some women try to loose weight in unhealthy ways to do it faster.

gym4ever · Answer

For men its much harder, im 6days a week in gym and i can't achieve my goal, but yet there are a lot girls who just hit gym for fun few times a week and still great.

Guanfei · Answer

Men. Because there is only one standard for "hot men", while we're told all the time to accept women for what they are, and the body positivity movement don't even care about men.
If you're a men, either you're Chris Hemsworth, or you're shit.

pervertedjester · Answer

I would say men. Basically because we get mutilated right out of the womb for the sake of women's sexual preference.

Who actually has the more psychologically harmful body image portrayed by the media: men or women?

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Who actually has the more psychologically harmful body image portrayed by the media: men or women?

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