In pop culture there are many contradictions dealing with sexuality. Our book points out a few of them (pg 551-554), however, I disagree with the statement “… pop culture puts expectations on men as well. But really, not like it does on women (pg 552).” I feel like pop culture does put many pressures on men. First, like women’s ads, men’s ads always have “studly” men with large muscles busting out of their clothing. Basically making the point to be a hot, sexy man you have to have overly large muscles. Then you always have the stereotypical male who is tall, dark, and handsome. They are taller than any of the women in the ad, which in reality not every man is or can be taller than their partner. Also, I wonder if men feel like they have to look like the men in ads to get the attention of an attractive female (like how the man in the ad has an extremely attractive female at his arm). I do realize that women are more idealized than men but there are still many pressures placed on men. I mean why else would men spend hours at a gym 7 days a week? There is a huge difference between being fit and healthy and overly fit. Also why would men feel the need to take steroids to make their muscles even larger?
I love it! I was always a skinny kid growing up so I did have to feel the pressures of being called weak and not being able to stand up for myself if a fight arose. So I do feel that their is pressure. But I am not so sure that saying if someone doesn't have stronger muscles, is tall dark, and handsome is going to have the same chance of having you as a GF opposed to a guy that does have these qualities. Because as shallow it may seem humans tend to judge first with their eyes and not their logical senses. So typically we are going to unconciously give the "better looking" person more of a chance or more attention than the one that is not. So there is always going to be that urge to strive and be good looking, because although it is easy to say that looks dont always matter... they do. There has to be an attraction to someone for their to be a connection. Being strong just makes it a little bit easier it seems like.
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