#BODYEMPOWERMENT
RESEARCH
Researchers have found a significant relationship between men's exposure to muscular-ideal media and negative self-image. This can be identified as just one factor that helps create an unrealistic expectation for young boys, contributing to negative self perception in later life.
It's just as hard to be Ken as it is to be Barbie
Social media makes you think like you have to look like a supermodel
interview response from a participant
Statistics:
-
According to a BBC survey, 57% Regarded social media as one of the biggest influences on
boys to look good. [i] -
33-35% of boys aged as young as 6-8 say indicate that their ideal body type is thinner than
their current body type.[ii] -
1 in 5 young men say that body image is their number one concern.[iii]
-
The number of cosmetic procedures performed among men has increased over 325% from
1997.[iv] -
According to a British study, one in three men would willingly give up a year of life in
exchange for his ideal body.[v] -
Around 1 in 4 people with anorexia are now male and binge eating disorder affects men and
women in roughly equal proportions.[vi]
Despite this pressure, reports have demonstrated that boys found it hard to discuss their concerns:
56% struggled to talk to teachers
29% struggled to talk to parents.[vii]
Our Aim;
We aim to help address and dissolve the stigma surrounding issues of male self-image, proving a secure environment for men to embrace their appearance in a positive and interactive way.
References
[i] Burns, J. (2016). 'Body image is a problem for boys'. [online] BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/education-37010205 [Accessed 12 Jun. 2019].
[ii] Knorr, C. (2019). Parenting, Media, and Everything In Between | Common Sense Media. [online] Commonsensemedia.org. Available at: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/boys-and-body-image) [Accessed 12 Jun. 2019].
[iii] Mellars, D. (2019). Teenage male body image: the wrong image. [online] A Medium Corporation. Available at: https://medium.com/@danielmellars/teenage-male-body-image-the-wrong-image-f7819139c777) [Accessed 12 Jun. 2019].
[iv] Surgery.org. (2019). Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank Statistics. [online] Available at: https://www.surgery.org/sites/default/files/ASAPS-Stats2015.pdf [Accessed 12 Jun. 2019].
[v] Bradley.edu. (2019). Bradley University: Male Body Image. [online] Available at: https://www.bradley.edu/sites/bodyproject/male-body-image-m-vs-f/men-struggle-w-bi/ [Accessed 12 Jun. 2019].
[vi] Mellars, D. (2019). Teenage male body image: the wrong image. [online] A Medium Corporation. Available at: https://medium.com/@danielmellars/teenage-male-body-image-the-wrong-image-f7819139c777) [Accessed 12 Jun. 2019].
[vii] Burns, J. (2016). 'Body image is a problem for boys'. [online] BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/education-37010205 [Accessed 12 Jun. 2019].