I was in dinner yesterday ( after my group and i had questioned a few people on Beauty) , and a group of guys who i questioned earlier called me to their table, and told me that I was just the person they were looking for because of what we were asking them ( in case you do not know my group and i are working on a Positive body image PSA, where we are trying to pass the message that every shape and size is beautiful).
So this one dude told me that he beleives that there should be a MEN's studies class because physical "Perfection" I quote not " Beauty" is a major concern for young men too. His question was " Don't you think it's unfair that We women blame men for creating a MODEL look for women and make a big deal out of it, while women are doing the same thing to men, and no one says anything about it?". My answer was a bit shallow but i said that he was looking for a problem that wasn't there men have much more opportunity then women and looks don't even come into play for them as it is for us. He wasn't too happy.
Was i wrong??
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5 comments:
I don't know if you were necessarily wrong as much as misguided. Men do have some of the same issues as women when it comes to physical appearance. It is just not as difficult for them.
Women are very often overlooked for jobs if they do not portray a certain image. This is way more common then men being overlooked. But an overweight man faces a lot of the same problems an overweight woman faces. Our society puts entirely too much emphasis on the size of our bodies, whether we are a man or a woman.
As for his complaint, we have tons of classes focusing on men. He can take any history class and the books are filled with WHITE MEN who have cluttered our history, leaving women in the shadows.
Also, and I'm generalizing here which is never a safe thing to do, a man's self worth is rarely connected to their body. As a woman, we tie everything we are into what we look like.
The Genuine Men Project (www.thegenuinemen.com) is a photodocumentary profiling the lives of thirty five men ranging in age from 12-92. The project was launched May 2008 and we are receiving invittions to visit colleges and organizaitons around the country because there is a need for project and studies that address the lives of men. From this experience I have learned not only about how men view themselves (yes they do have body image issues similar and quite different from those of women) but also how they do need space to talk about their lives. Men's studies does not only have to look at history from a male point of view, but let's really take a look and give space to men so that they can examine and express what it really means to be a man, a role model, and a human being in modern times.
From a guy's point of view, personally - I do believe there should be a men's studies group that focuses on the same thing we are doing in this class. I don't know how much I've spent on hair products, the latest skin care product, lotion, razor, or article of clothing that said ... use this and it'll change your life . . .
Now, to state the facts... I don't go out and spend my entire paycheck on the latest fad, or whatever... but the material that we cover in this class, can directly be related to guys. But - for obvious reasons, a women's class is more appealing to the broader audience than a men's studies class.... because history is taught in a men's point of view. Every class I've taken is focused on men's issues, or the man's point of view - but I honestly do not appreciate some of the things that gets blamed on guys.
I know that there's some things that the media pushes to get us to all buy their products, and you should definitely read some of the books that break down the thought process of the shopper.
But to answer your question, kinda like what Bridget said - I don't think you were wrong, but misguided. Try to read up on some of the issues that guys are facing since the 1990s...
~Tyler Willis
I will be doing some reading. Please understand that most of my life was spent in the caribbean where men are everything, my answer was mostly based on my experiences( well i was too young to experience,)my observations there.
This was really an important point you brought up, and I am so glad you did. As women, we need to remember that we do not want to assert ourselves as better than men, only equal to. Each sex and gender brings something unique and important to the table.
I am not saying you were at all, but as a whole, women need to stop male bashing and fight for equality not domination.
It is good to discuss topics like this openly and honestly in order to bring about tolerance and acceptance. After all, we cannot presume to change to world if we refuse to understand each other's differences.
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