Are Bros Too Obsessed With Their Bods?

Absolutely… but it’s not their fault.

This is not an article complaining about the vanity of men, constantly sharing snaps from the gym or beach showing off their muscled physiques.

This is not an article whining about the narcissistic nature of social media.

This is an article demanding we discuss the imbalance in body image.

In the last few years, the fashion industry has gradually altered its diversity of models to more accurately reflect the average woman, with women from different ethnic backgrounds and sizes frequently featuring in catalogues.

Additionally, stories of eating disorders fuelled by harmful hashtags such as #proana and #fitspiration continue to emerge, throwing a spotlight on the dangerous obsession with body image discretely harboured by society.

However, there’s just one problem with this: the vast majority of these positive changes have been targeted towards women. We are constantly (and rightly) building up the confidence of the average woman, with new plus-size role models and ‘real beauty’ campaigns. The male fashion industry, on the other hand, has quietly stayed the same.

Traditionally white, athletic, muscular men line catalogues, movies, magazine covers and cat walks. Movie and sports stars frequent magazines, discussing how draining but rewarding their current strength regime is – but the average man doesn’t have two hours a day to look like Thor (no disrespect to the Chris Hemsworth).

The fact of the matter is, we are not doing enough to lift our men up. With hurtful terms such as ‘dad-bod’ making their way into casual conversation, TV, and magazines, how are men supposed to feel comfortable within their own skin?

There is too much focus on the ‘perfect body’. With men being almost a quarter of those diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa - and nearly 50 per cent of binge eating disorder sufferers’ male - body dissatisfaction within men is continuing to rise.

The time has come for us as a society to reflect on our integral values: is our appearance a true reflection of who we are? Are snide comments about appearance so integral to our society we drive people to eating disorders? Do all of our models have to be such similar specimens of our species? Is it true body image within women is more important than within men? The answer is no.

As a society we should be able to recognise that a variety of body shapes do exist within both genders, and should be celebrated equally. Build up less celebrated shapes, without dragging others down. Focus on the happiness of life, not ‘happiness’ as defined by the industry. We are all human, with the capacity to love each other and share in each other’s happiness.

Celebrate that, a unique and special quality that cannot be defined by anyone but yourself.

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