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I've been thinking recently about male body positivity and I want to share my thoughts.
The first thought is "why don't people talk about male body positivity"
The first thought is "why don't people talk about male body positivity"
Generally speaking, body image is a predominantly woman-oriented conversation. Which means it took me years to realize that I really didn't like my body; I didn't even know to look for that problem in myself. My assumption had been that body image conversation didn't include me.
Really I think men are subjected to similar unrealistic standards as women, except with toxic masculinity constraining our ability to identify and talk about that with each other in a very meaningful way, if at all.
For example, I've always been sort of scrawny. I've been acne-ridden for about 11 years. There is pretty much nothing about my appearance that is exceptionally attractive--and I don't mean in a strictly sexual way; nothing about my looks screams "I am cool and fun to be around"
And yet it took me literally thinking "I hate my body/I wish I had a different body" MANY TIMES to realize that I don't have a good perception of myself.
But of course, being a scrawny, acne-ridden male is good in its own way. So is being large or short or hairy etc.
But of course, being a scrawny, acne-ridden male is good in its own way. So is being large or short or hairy etc.
But what reference point exists for men to even talk about that? We see all the ways toxic masculinity causes harm to women but sometimes forget that one of its primary characteristics is that it has a caustic effect on how men interact with each other (and perpetuates more harm)
The whole point of this thread is to emphasize self-love for men. Because I think underlying all the toxic bullshit is a lot of insecurity about ourselves (which I would argue is often the cause of the toxic stuff). We don't talk about it and we should.
Within male culture competition for dominance is the assumption. (And I think that's the same underlying systemic force that choke-holds societal structures into favoring the strong/rich/powerful.)
So to dismantle that we really should be talking about body positivity more.
So to dismantle that we really should be talking about body positivity more.
Being short is good. Being bald is good. Having patchy facial hair is good. Having brown hair and brown eyes is good. Everything in between is good. Male bodies don't have to be muscular and tall to be good.
Fellas, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. That woman who only dates men over 6ft tall? She doesn't determine your worth.
This has been a sincere post and I stand by it. In 2020 guys are learning to love themselves.
This has been a sincere post and I stand by it. In 2020 guys are learning to love themselves.
