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Alex J. Anderson
Professor Voorhis
English 101
2 December 2014
The Quest for Manliness
Its whats inside that counts. A common quote most have heard growing up usually
used to teach young children a morally sound lesson about judging a person based on their
personal merits rather than their appearance. Beauty is only skin deep. Unfortunately, in
society today, these quotes could not be further from the truth. Through countless mediums and
forms today, many are victims of the constant bombardment of unrealistic body images. Whether
its the powerful, muscular super heroes saving the day in movies or six foot tall, size zero
runway models in magazines, the embodiment of the perfect body is regularly presented in
todays culture. This inappropriate expectation which members of society are held to today is
traditionally held by women. Conversely, this stereotype is one of many reasons why the issues
related to male body image is taboo. With the media becoming more and more prevalent in
society, the phenomenon of body image dissatisfaction also takes men as its prey. Although not
as common as in women, body image dissatisfaction in men is a serious issue with problems
exclusive to the male gender.
Its no secret that women have been battling body image for years, so it is no surprise that
many of the conditions associated with body image take women more often than men as victims.
Women are overwhelmingly diagnosed with bulimia, anorexia and body dimorphism more often

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than men (Gerdes 124). Furthermore, social standards show that appearance is more important
for woman than it is for men. While males are judged by other factors other than appearance
such as personal character or prosperity, women are expected to be beautiful. Men go to work
and make the money while women stay home, take care of the kids, cook, and look pretty. Sarah
Palin, the 2008 Republican candidate for the American vice-presidency, received justified
criticism for her political views, but unjustly received the torrent of sexual of innuendo [to
include] a naughty school girl Sarah Palin doll . . . a porn film [named] Whos Nalin Palin?
(Gerdes 77). This way women are perceived is the root of the epidemic of body image issues in
women, leading to the female gender being obsessed with vanity rather than other qualities such
as career success. It is clear that beauty expectations are stricter for women. While work still
needs to be done, the problem with the female body image in society is gaining the recognition
and acceptance it deserves. Tragically, this acceptance is not granted to the male counterpart. An
article from 2012 states males are approaching parity with females in terms of the prevalence of
body dissatisfaction (Murray 227). While female issues may be on the descent, male body
dissatisfaction is growing at a rapid rate. It is imperative to understand that male body image
issues have become a monumental problem which should not be overshadowed.
The ideal male body image differs greatly from its female counterpart, bringing some of
the same disorders and complications, and some unique to the male gender. The most obvious
difference is while women generally desire to be thinner and leaner, men want a muscular
physique. Just as women are vulnerable to the culture of thinness that permeates society, males
are subjected to a culture of muscularity (Agliata 8). With that said, contrasting research also
finds a large portion of men who experience body dissatisfaction also desire weight loss (Murray
228). Furthermore, the pursuit of leanness and muscularity are not mutually exclusive: many

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men try to accomplish both, at the same time, which typically results in greater psychological
disturbance and poorer body image than non-combined attempts to either increase muscle mass
or reduce body adiposity individually (Murray 232). A double-edged sword, of the desire for
both weight loss and muscle gain, combined with the male mindset of taking things to the
extreme can be a serious threat to mens psychological and physical well-being.
Another concern for men is Height: most believe taller men are more attractive to
women. Height in men also helps sets males apart from females. A trait associated with
masculinity and reproductive fitness, height is an example of sexual dimorphism in humans, or a
difference between genders, which plays a large role in body image today (Gerdes 28).
Consequently, shorter men can feel inferior and ashamed of their height, and unlike other
features, height is permanent. Another masculine indicator, a full head of hair is associated with
youth, power and virility. Male pattern baldness is a common worry among men, and those who
are affected by it often counteract it by using products such as Rogaine, wear wigs or toupees, or
even undergo expensive hair replacement or transplant surgeries. Additionally, body hair is
generally frowned upon, thus a large proportions of men aim to keep their bodies perfectly
hairless by shaving, waxing or even enduring permanent laser removal surgeries in attempt to
better fit the ideal male body.
Perhaps the most significant symbol of masculinity, penis size and the connected sexual
performance plays a large factor in male body image. Throughout history and in different
cultures, the penis has been associated with physical strength, authority over women and men,
economic independence, and overall virility (Wylie 1449). Men can be concerned that their penis
size is insufficient, as well as their sexual performance as associated with it, and develop anxiety
about it being observed because of this inadequacy (Wylie 1449). Individuals who suffer from

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this anxiety are subjected to embarrassment and fear of being scrutinized or mocked, which
often causes these individuals to avoid social situations and intimate relationships (Wylie 1449).
Wylie continues to state About 85% of women were satisfied with their partners penile size,
although only 55% of men were satisfied, with 45% wanting to be larger (1450). Although
research consistently affirms that mens insecurity about their sexual characteristics is baseless,
this anxiety is still plagues men universally. Moreover, this concern can often lead a man to go to
extreme lengths to change the size of his penis or positively affect his sexual performance, from
taking Viagra, to undergoing surgery (Wylie 1449). The sheer size of the multi-billion dollar
male enhancement industry is a testament to the level of prevalence of this insecurity.
While it is generally accepted that male and female body image differ, men are less
accepted to have difficulty with body image issues. It is proven that males do suffer from body
image problems, but because of social standards and stereotypes, men are discouraged to seek
help and admit their difficulty with body dissatisfaction (Burlew 429). The characteristics of
masculinity, which men strive to obtain to better fit the ideal male body image and directly
contradict the concept of seeking help. Normative masculinity dictates that men should not be
concerned about their physical appearance (Ricciardelli 130). Since body dissatisfaction is
associated with women, men are afraid of the stigma, shame, and ridicule of having a supposed
womans problem. This standard of silence men are expected to maintain make it seem like the
difficult situation of the male body image is less of an issue than it actually is. Additionally,
there is no single description of body image problems that men may experience, and research on
the extent of the problem and best treatment practices is lacking (Burlew 429). While womens
issues with body image are getting the awareness it rightfully deserves, mens body image

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problems are obscured and under researched a travesty which needs to be acknowledged by
society.
The standards of appearance propagated by the media and other forms which have long
plagued women with body dissatisfaction also effect men. The public is exposed daily, in
magazines, motion pictures, and other media, to increasinglyand often unnaturallymuscular
male images (Pope 66). From burly action stars in movies to brawny male models displayed
on magazine covers, the medias portrayal of the perfect male body is prevalent and overtime has
become more muscular, unrealistic, and unattainable. This male body image is even presented
directly to adolescents: research has shown that popular action figures have grown much more
muscular over time, with many contemporary figures far exceeding the muscularity of even the
largest human bodybuilders (Pope 65). Just as with young girls and Barbies, boys are also
exposed to unrealistic body images at young ages. This pattern has also been observed in actors
who play the same role: compare the normal physiques of the early actors of Superman played
by Kirk Alyn or Christopher Reeve to the bodybuilder shape of the actors who play Superman
today. Furthermore, women report peers within their social network to be most influential on
body image where as men place a greater emphasis on comparisons with celebrities . . . Given
that males also tend to find visual material more evocative than females do, the media may play a
larger role in males' body image concerns than previously thought (Agliata 9). Thus men may
be more susceptible than women to the medias highly unrealistic and idealized influence on
body image where as women tend to care more about what their peers have to think.
While the media may be the driving force of body image, there are more underlying
factors also effecting body image in males today - the changing of gender roles in society,
culture, and even biology contribute to male body image dissatisfaction. Deservedly, women are

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making extraordinary strides and have done so in a remarkably short period . . . [women] are
currently earning the majority of undergraduate (and many graduate) degrees, including
medicine and law. . . There are a decent number of women in the House and Senate . . . teens and
women are now using beauty products in significantly fewer quantities (Gerdes 84). With
women achieving power and financial independence, and thus more selective in mates they
choose, men are becoming more muscular and masculine in order to retain their traditional role
(Cash 210). As gender roles continue to be more and more blurred, men will continue to be
insecure about their body and over-compensate with masculinity.
Several studies have linked different cultures with variation in body image, with different
rates of anorexia and bulimia among different races of people (Burlew 428). In American
football, a staple of culture in the United States, football uniforms, while not daily dress have
been the costume of heroes idolized by young boys and grown men alike as the embodiment of
American manhood in the middle of the twentieth century (Jirousek 1). Historically, these
uniforms have increasingly exaggerated the athletic male form (Jirousek 4), with shoulder
large pads taking the look of inflated muscle development in the shoulders and thighs,
portraying the distinctly masculine V-shape torso of large shoulders tapering to a small waist
(Jirousek 3). The appearance of football uniforms, an iconic symbol in American culture, has
been influenced more by male body image and less by functionality. Adolescents and young men
who participate in sports felt pressure to conform to body weight expectations based on the
sport being played, rather than concerns about a specific body type or physical appearance . . .
men of all ages relate body image less with appearance and more with function, fitness and
health (Burlew 428). This may suggest that while some men may desire different bodies based

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on more functional reasons rather than appearance, the physical and psychological consequences
associated with changing ones body and an unhealthy body image still exist.
The most fundamental explanation for standards for appearance in society today is found
in evolutionary biology. These standards are those characteristics that will attract a mate who
will pass genes on to the next generation (Gerdes 24). These mentioned traits in men are
markers of testosterone and sex hormones that signal reproductive fitness, the same traits
corresponding with the masculine attributes found in the ideal male body many strive to achieve
(Gerdes 28). These attributes are attractive because they have been reinforced into the human
brain over millions of years, and many are completely unaware of the level of instinct the human
mind has. Unfortunately, some men may not be genetically gifted with such manly features, thus
these individuals may suffer from body dissatisfaction. If more members of society were more
educated on this biological take on body image, the level of understanding and change of
perspective could help improve the body image problem. The features of the ideal male body are
cherished in society where as the latter is held in low regard, thus failure to conform to the male
stereotype can have repercussions. Studies show that employers are less likely to hire or
promote unattractive people, who also earn less money (Gerdes 28) Attractive defendants in
court are commonly perceived as more credible, are acquitted more often, and receive lighter
sentences than their less appealing counterparts (Paul 1). Without a doubt, appearance
discrimination is prevalent in society today, whether intentionally due to the ideals propagated by
popular culture or unintentionally from innate, natural tendencies.
With the male body image well-defined and widely prevalent in society today, men often
turn to unhealthy and life-threatening methods to reduce their body dissatisfaction. Since men
can want both muscularity and weight loss, sometimes at the same time, males commonly fall

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victim to disorders many relate to the female body such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, which
are characterized by binge eating, self-induced vomiting, fasting, and restrictive eating
(anorexia nervosa). This desire for both weight loss and muscle gain brings an extensive range
of potential complications, but most notably the desire for maximum muscularity brings a
disorder found in both sexes, but much more prevalent in men muscle dysmorphia (Pope 66).
Aptly named reverse anorexia or the Adonis complex, this specific type of body dysmorphic
disorder is characterized by an obsessional preoccupation with their muscularity, to the point
where their social and occupational functioning may be severely impaired . . . [individuals with
muscle dysmorphia] report that they refuse to be seen in public without their shirts on because
they fear that they will look too small . . . Often they use anabolic steroids or other performanceenhancing drugs, continuing to take these agents even in the face of serious side effects because
of persistent anxiety about their muscularity (Pope 66). Furthermore, approximately one third
of men afflicted with muscle dysmorphia have previously experienced anorexia nervosa and a
quarter of men with anorexia nervosa report previous features of muscle dysmorphia (Murray
232), demonstrating that these body dimorphic disorders are interchangeable in men regardless
of the desired end result.
As men are bombarded with an increasingly unachievable ideal body image, many turn to
one of the most extreme methods to change ones appearance: cosmetic surgery. From minimally
invasive surgeries of the face to costly, drastic procedures like liposuction or muscle implants,
the wide range of surgeries, and the dangerous related risks associated with said surgeries men
are undergoing as a result of the unrealistic body image today is staggering. Evidence
consistently suggests that low self-esteem and feeling judged on ones physical appearance may
lead men to consider cosmetic surgery (Cash 425). Since men are continuingly pressured to fit

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the ideal male body image, the cosmetic surgery industry will continue to operate on male
patients. These body modifications are more common than one might think: A statistic from
2006 showed that 1.1 million men had cosmetic surgeries in the United States, and other data
from the same year suggested 15% of all male cosmetic surgery patients suffer from body
dysmorphic disorder (Ricciardelli 110).
The use of dietary supplements, steroids and other substances, both legal and illegal is
common among males with body image issues. Supplement use, ranging from dietary vitamins
intended to provide nutrients to muscle building products like creatine or testosterone boosters
are widespread among males of all ages. (Yager 1). Body dissatisfaction is linked with to
supplement use, and [predicts] the consumption of nutritional supplements such as protein
powders, as well as anabolic steroids (Yager 2). Alarmingly, knowledge of negative sideeffects of supplements is generally poor, and the products themselves appear to be unregulated:
a study from 2014 found that at least one in five protein powders on the market are contaminated
(Yager 2). Side-effects of supplement use can include psychiatric symptoms, aggression, renal
failure, increased blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and death (Yager 2). With the potential
financial burden, risks and side-effects connected with supplement use, another concern is the
potential that they may act as a gateway to more serious substances and illegal drug use (Yager
2). The most notable substance that
The quintessential and possibly most harmful method to attain the muscularity of the
ideal male body, anabolic steroids has overwhelmingly been linked to body dissatisfaction in
men (Murray 228). Anabolic steroid is the familiar name for the synthetic variant of the male sex
hormone testosterone, and is often abused in order to enhance performance and improve physical
appearance (DrugFacts: Anabolic Steroids). Due to the hyper-masculine effects these drugs have,

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steroids are overwhelmingly more used by men more than women. These powerful substances
have life-threatening consequences to include kidney impairment or failure; damage to the liver;
and cardiovascular problems including enlargement of the heart, high blood pressure, and
changes in blood cholesterol leading to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack (DrugFacts:
Anabolic Steroids). The combination of the obsessive desire to attain the ideal male body with
the powerful effects steroids have is a major issue with men and has self-destructive
repercussions. Interestingly, some of side-effects which are male specific directly contradict the
masculine body image of men. Gender-specific effects to men include shrinkage of the testicles
(testicular atrophy), reduced sperm count or infertility, baldness, development of breasts
(gynecomastia), increased risk for prostate cancer (DrugFacts: Anabolic Steroids). Although
these burdens may appear to be a legitimate deal-breaker, the desire of the results steroids can
give, as well the many outside forces reinforcing the ideal male body image can often suppress
these concerns. Also, cycling, the scheduling of the the use of steroids to minimize the effect on
the bodys natural production of testosterone, and other common practices among steroid users
can help mitigate side-effects and maximize gains in strength and muscle development
(DrugFacts: Anabolic Steroids). Continuing, while steroids do not deliver a high or a euphoric
feeling, they are reinforcing and can lead to addiction (DrugFacts: Anabolic Steroids). With this
fact, steroids also have the added harmful effects of an addictive substance, such as withdrawal
symptoms, detrimental effects on social relationships, and other psychological problems.
The male body image phenomenon is a complex, multi-faceted conundrum. The
characteristics of the perfect male body is dynamic and extensive, compromising of many of
same traits found in the female body image, and some generally unique to men. Men are less
likely to admit their trouble with body dissatisfaction, and society looks down upon on men who

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do. The unrealistic and growlingly unachievable male body image is constantly reinforced by the
media, culture, and even biology. As a result of this pressure, men become victims of vicious
psychological and physical disorders, and commonly resort to drastic, often unhealthy methods
to achieve the perfect male body. Traditionally attributed to women, body dissatisfaction in men
is growing and rapidly becoming equally problematic to body image issues in women.
Throughout all aspects of work done on body image in men, one reality holds true: male body
image is outstandingly misunderstood in society and significantly under-researched.

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Works Cited
Agliata, Daniel, and Stacey Tantleff-Dunn. "The Impact Of Media Exposure On Males' Body
Image." Journal Of Social & Clinical Psychology 23.1 (2004): 7-22. Web.
Burlew, Larry D., and W. Matthew Shurts. "Men And Body Image: Current Issues And
Counseling Implications." Journal Of Counseling & Development 91.4 (2013): 428435. Web.
Cash, Thomas F., and Thomas Pruzinsky. Body Image: A Handbook of Theory, Research, and
Clinical Practice. New York: Guilford, 2002. Print.
"DrugFacts: Anabolic Steroids." National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). N.p., July 2012.
Web.
Gerdes, Louise I. The Culture of Beauty. Opposing Viewpoints Series, Green Haven, 2013. Print
Jirousek, Charlotte A. "Superstars, Superheroes And The Male Body Image: The
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Murray, Stuart B., and Stephen W. Touyz. "Masculinity, Femininity And Male Body Image: A
Recipe For Future Research." International Journal Of Men's Health 11.3 (2012): 227239. Web.
Paul, Annie M. "Judging by Appearance." Psychology Today, 10 Dec. 2010. Web.
Pope, Harrison G., et al. "Evolving ideals of male body image as seen through action
toys." International Journal of Eating Disorders 26.1 (1999): 65-72. Web.
Ricciardelli, Rosemary, and Kimberley Clow. "Men, Appearance, And Cosmetic Surgery: The
Role Of Self-Esteem And Comfort With The Body." Canadian Journal Of
Sociology 34.1 (2009): 105-134. Web.

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Wylie, Kevan R., and Ian Eardley. "Penile Size And The Small Penis Syndrome." BJU
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Yager, Zali, and Jennifer A. ODea. "Relationships between body image, nutritional supplement
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