Paige-Monet Vosges

Written Comm. II

Prof. Trent Kays

Research Paper

Body Image Men v. Women: Who is Affected More?

According to, the Marriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of body image is the

subjective picture of ones own physical appearance established both by self-observation and by

noting the reactions of others. Body image is a growing problem in society especially with the

help of the media. Just about everyone has some type of insecurities about their bodies. Many

people go through depression and low-self- esteem because of how unhappy they are about their

image. When it comes to body image both sexes can experience the same situation and feelings.

However, which gender is affected more by body image?

Society often assumes that women are the only ones who care or are affected by body

image along with self-esteem, but in reality men arent as criticized as women. Male body image

is considered misunderstood. Men are mostly concerned about the lack of muscle, but male

body image is much more complex. Studies show that men either feel too thin or too heavy to

meet the ideal male figure. Sixty-three percent of men think their arms or chest are not muscular

enough and thirty-eight percent said they would give up a year of their life for the perfect body.

Unhealthy body images goes beyond the average of the college male, 95% of college men are

dissatisfied with their bodies. A third of men have exercised in a driven or compulsive way

(Campbell). Body image disorders may be more severe in both gay and heterosexual teenage
males than other men. Body image is often considered a female problem because men are quiet

and hide how they feel for masculinity this causes society to pay less attention to male body

discrimination. Unfortunately, when males grow up with criticism about their body it is often

their body image will suffer.

Beer bullies, Man-Boobs and Going Bald are statements men hear every day.

Studies show men are worried about their body shape and appearance more than women

(Campbell). More than four in five men refer to their flaws when talking or promote anxiety

about their body image. Three in five men said body talks affected them negatively. Four percent

admitted to making themselves sick to control their weight and 3.4% reported using laxatives.

Ninety percent of men struggle in some way with body dissatisfaction with negative comments

and emotions (Farrar).

The media is a huge factor when it comes to body image, more negative than positive.

The media helps in a positive way because it influences the development of the body image men

have. This helps to understand what a healthy body can look like and have realistic expectations.

The media looks down on women who are insecure with their bodies and try to change it with

plastic surgery, weaves, nails etc. but, men do the same. Men believe that women will not want

to date them if they go bald, but studies show women do not mind dating bald men (Farrar). In

effort to feel better about themselves or more attractive they spend money on cosmetic surgery,

hair transplants and steroids. Trying to alter your appearance is not the worst thing but feeling

like youre not complete or unattractive without it, is the problem. The media causes controversy

with double standards between men and women because they always put the shine on females

but shove what males do under the rug. Body image is a problem that both gender faces and
society should address male issues more often to prevent depression, eating disorder and low

self-esteem (Bradley University).

Some studies show that women are either more dissatisfied or less dissatisfied than men

with their body image. According to Time Health, women have been feeling better about their

bodies as time progresses. Womens dissatisfaction dropped 3.3 points, although that may seem

small it is statistically substantial (Sifferlin). There are many theories as to why women are

becoming more comfortable in their skin. Some theories are that Americans are becoming larger.

Two-thirds of adults are considered overweight or obese; because obesity is becoming

acceptable, women are less concerned about their body weight and considering it the norm.

Also, the media is becoming more acceptable of plus size women and less critical.

Advertisement, reality shows and clothing lines are incorporating more plus size actors, models

and characters to send a message. Being thick is the new trend for women. Women are getting

surgery to make their butts, boobs and legs bigger. Females you see on television daily such as

Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and other A-listers in the industry all had surgery and some are

still not done yet. Being plus sized was initially an insecurity but now it is accepted. Women are

just trying to keep up with the latest trend and be attractive at the same time. The new body ideal

is replacing womens desire to be thin (Sifferlin).

Eating disorders play a role when it comes to body image. People who arent content with

their bodies and how they look try to alter themselves. Plastic surgery is expensive and not

everyone can afford a cosmetic change. Sometimes people take the healthy route and go to the

gym or diet. However, some people take dieting to another level and cause harm to their bodies.

Eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia or binge eating stem from causes such as low self-

esteem, social difficulties, fear of failure or dieting to look better. About 1,000 women die each
year due to malnutrition. Fifteen percent of young women have an eating disorders and eighty-

nine percent have dieted by the age of 17 (ABC News).

Young adults and children are worried about their weight and self-image as young as

third grade which is a huge problem because low self-esteem can lead to depression and suicide

(ABC News). People tend not to take body image and self-esteem as a big deal but in fact it is.

Our children and teenagers are worried about being socially accepted and not enjoying their

youth. With the help of parents and family children can be more self-confident and less insecure

about how they view themselves. Growing up self-conscious can take a toll on your mind, but if

you are reminded and taught from young that you are beautiful the way you are chances are your

self-confidence will be higher.

In conclusion, men and women are equally insecure about their body image but studies

show men do care more. Men being quiet about their insecurities gave society the idea that they

were content about how they view themselves, but they arent. Men are more self-conscious

about their body image because they want to live up to those masculine images the media

portrays and feel attractive. The media influences society on how they think they should look

versus being healthy. Men and women share and express the same feelings when it comes to

body image and self- esteem.

Work Cited:

Lovejoy, Jessica. "Body Image Issues Are Not Just For Women." The Huffington

Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 26 Mar. 2014. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.

"Male vs. Female Body Image." Bradley University: Male vs. Female Body Image.

N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.

Rumsey, Nichola, and Diana Harcourt. The Psychology of Appearance.

Maidenhead, Angleterre: Open U Press, 2005. Print.

Brennan, Maggie A., Christopher E. Lalonde, and Jody L. Bain. "Body Image

Perceptions: Do Gender Differences Exist?" Body Image Perceptions: Do Gender

Differences Exist?(2010): n. pag. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.

"BodyImageMen."EatingDisorderHelp.N.p.,n.d.Web.03May2017.
"BodyImageandSelfEsteemIsUpforWomen."Time.Time,n.d.Web.03May

2017.