The Body Conscious Male: the Origins of a Vast Shift

All it takes is one look at cosmetic surgery statistics to realizes that men are now more body conscious than ever. In 2009 alone, there was a 21 per cent increase (from 2008) in the number of cosmetic surgery procedures performed on men - a staggering figure alongside the modest 5 per cent increase for women. What's more, the notion behind an "ideal" male figure has shifted over the years, from the once strong and muscular physique to the long, lanky and boyish figure. So, it's also no wonder that the number of male anorexia cases has climbed over the last two decades, increasing from one in ten sufferers being male in 1990, to one in four being male now.




So what are the reasons behind this shift in ideal and increase in body consciousness? For starters, the world of fashion has played a major role in swaying the "ideal" male image. The skinny male "look" really took off in fashion about a decade ago, when designer Hedi Slimane was put in charge of Christian Dior's menswear line, Dior Homme. Slimane's designs undeniably favoured skinny, often waifish figures. But the look quickly gained acclaim in the fashion industry, and it wasn't long before countless other designers were following the trend via their own collections. The eventual result - still in effect today - was the arrival of a new "ideal" image in the world of male fashion: that of the skinny, boyish body.

In trying to understand the increase in male body consciousness, many are also looking to some of the same factors that have influenced female body consciousness for so long – for example, the entertainment industry. With skinny male stars like Russel Brand, Pete Doherty and David Tennant at the forefront of the music and entertainment industries, males are yet again exposed to the latest "ideal". Thus, being thin has become the cultural mainstream, not only for women, but also for men. And because an array of other influences are abundant in almost every aspect of culture, it's not surprising that many men are now trying to pull off the skinny physique or image themselves.




However, many are also asking women what they think of this shift, and whether body shape or physique are significant determinants in their attraction to specific men. Studies ultimately revealed that, while females do appreciate an attractive physique, they predominantly prefer an attractive face and winning personality over an "ideal" body. So, if men aren't trying to change their bodies in response to pressure from females, what else – aside from popular entertainment and fashion cultures – is driving them to change their bodies? The simple answer is a desire for youth. The skinny look is also the boyish, prepubescent look – so to achieve that physique is, for many, a way of turning back the clock.




Of course, the male body is now also used more than ever in media - for example, in print advertising. Decades ago, it was common to see scantily clad women - but not so much men - in magazine adverts. But the world of media has now embraced the scantily clad man as well. It's not to say that all males featured in print media have their shirts off. But the male body is certainly presented differently – and much more – than it used to be. And with these "ideal" bodies being flaunted in every other magazine, it's easy to see how males are being influenced with regard to ideal images, and why they're now more body conscious than ever.