Concept of Masculinity and Effects on Body Image Essay...

Interest in body image, its effects on person’s psychology and individual’s position in community, started with Paul Schilder in 1920s. Yet most literature of gender studies is consisted of works about female body image. However, with recent developments over the world, men’s body image has obtained more significance and has drawn more attention from psychologists, sociologists and gender scholars. To analyze this conjuncture and the reasons for it, we may firstly, introduce the concept of body image by defining it. Paul Schilder has defined the body image as â€Å"the picture of our own body which we form in our mind, that is to say, the way in which the body appears to ourselves† (as cited in Grogan, 1999, p. 14). In other words, body image†¦show more content†¦290). On the other hand, due to rise of the concept of masculinity, there are different types of masculinity definitions appeared alongside the main definition given above. One of the most important ones is hegemonic masculinity which defines the male body as totally natural, strong, and also the center of man’s cultural properties and self-esteem. In other words, â€Å"man is not created. Man simply is† (Weber, 2006). Besides, with reference to Cornell, man’s body is the key for his social life and social success (as cited in Weber, 2006, p. 291). Nevertheless, all of these properties of hegemonic masculinity are present, in lieu of emotional affinity, self-reflection, etc. Also, Sally Robinson states that male power or success is â€Å"secured by his inexpressivity, even as inexpressivity damages the male psyche and the male body† (as cited in Weber, 2006, p. 298). Obviously, deficiency or constraint of some humanly sentiments cause a pressure on men over thei r source of social success, namely, their body. In this essay, it will be demonstrated that hegemonic masculinity effectuates reasonable amount of pressure over men about their body image and this pressure pressure is not taken into consideration or supposed as just feminine problem in community. To fully understand the extent of pressure on men, the sources of this pressure should be determined attentively. Initially, the opposite sex, females can beShow MoreRelatedDifferences Between American Films And Hindi Films1297 Words   |  6 PagesDifferent cultures have different concepts of masculinity. If one were to compare American films and Hindi film tropes, there would be some vast differences. For instance the American action heroes tend to treat the damsel as an item, while in Hindi films the character shows his affection openly and often times there is not a rough exterior that must be broken to see the caring man. This idea has also evolved in certain ways in the coming decade s of hindi films. 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