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Pop Culturer - April 2008

Men's mags: are they giving men unrealistic expectations?

April 24th 2008 00:33


For my current assignments in Gender studies, one of the sources I'm analysing is Zoo magazine. Now, I don't know about you other gals, but to me, that magazine is one of the most stupid and pathetic excuse for a modern publication of all time.

Yes, I get that it caters primarily towards the male demographic, with sections devoted purely to sport, disgusting sexual stuff and of course, half naked women, all positioned in highly seductive and erotic poses. There is not one girl who is fully dressed: although there is no full- frontal nudity, the tiny bras and panties do not leave much to the imgination.


While looking through this mag, I started to feel a little down. Although I KNOW that these women do not actually look like that in real life, being airbrushed and touched up digitally within an inch of their lives, I still felt inadequate, cathing glimpses of my pale skin and imperfect thighs.

Unfortunately, males tend to view women like that as well. Not ALL males, mind you, but a lot more are starting to judge us real girls on the model of Krystal or Sussanah from BB, commenting on how 'fit' they are, and wouldn't it be nice if other girls took care of themselves the same way.

A lot of the males I know don't have a problem with plastic surgery, whether it be enhacing the boobs or changing the face to suit the more 'desirable' stereotype of woman. To many of them, cellulite is disgusting and little bit of a belly a disgrace - the mark of an 'unfit' woman, one who doesn't take care of herself. But show them a playboy bunny or a Zoo 'model' (and I use the term lightly) and they slaivate, saying hot HOT she is, commenting on the size of her chest and the flatness of her stomach. They don't care that she's airbrushed: to them, she become the ideal woman, and porn star they all wish they could have.


It's hard enough for girls and women to live up to the insane expectations set by the media without guys trying to change us into those sorts of women as well. As proven by Arizona State University psychologists Sara Gutierres and Douglas Kenrick, the more often men view pictures of 'beautiful' women, naked or clothed, their expectations of us Averga Jane's rise.

So what's going to happen to relationships in the future? Men feeling disatisfied with the looks of everyday girls, while girls are feeling more and more inferior to the plastic models presented ever so often in the media. I can come to only one conclusion: Holywood and porn must change. But somehow, I doubt it ever will.

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Posted By: Caroline Zielinski - Category: No Category
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Comment by Louie

April 24th 2008 01:47


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i agree with you, but its hard to see things changing as boys will always be boys.....Cibb gave me an idea of the future yesterday, soon they will all be perving on cartoon caricatures of the perfect women as no real woman will stand up to the test.....

best thing a girl can do is ignore it all and be fit because she wants to be, not because she thinks she should be

Comment by the world of gaye

April 24th 2008 01:51


batty
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There has always been magazines like this one and there always will be. The only difference is in the 50's and 60's what women in these magazines possessed was given to them by nature. not a surgeon. I think maybe it's more women than men who look at these women as perfect, us women are our harshest critics. Wouldn't it be good if we could turn the tables and start nagging men to have the disgusting beer belly lopped off and the beer can unglued from the end of their arms !!

Comment by Damo

April 24th 2008 03:12


For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
The human mind may not be able to process realism for too long.

The ancient Greeks went through a realistic phase in their statue that lasted only about 50 years. After that they went on to make impossible versions of humans.

The urge to see the unrealistic may be primal.

Comment by Sara Dobson

April 24th 2008 04:20


Parents Precinct
My Turn
Maybe it is a primal urge for men to look at these women, but I don't think (men you can correct me on this) they are looking at them thinking mmm I want to date her imagine how proud my mother would be. I think it is just a sexual thought that crosses their mind. And maybe some don't mind fake boobs, but my guess would be you wouldn't want to date them anyway. As for feeling inadequate, I read that men just like bodies any, not just skinny ones.
I agree with Louie you need to be fit for you not anyone else.

Comment by Shim

April 24th 2008 04:33
I think you unfairly judge men
If you only know blokes who won't talk to girls who couldn't appear in Zoo then you need to change circles

Comment by AmyHuang

April 24th 2008 04:53


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Well if it's that bad - men should then PAY for the plastics. Afterall, it's them that wants the results.

If not - tough. There is probably only 2% of the women that actually look like airbrushed tarts, so their chance of getting laid would be slim.

Although I do agree with Shim - there are plenty of men out there who are decent. I do find that it has something to do with their arrogance that makes them the 'Zoo' lovers.

Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang

April 24th 2008 05:14


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Well, I think they are just there to fulfill sexual desire, that is all.

Not necessary realistic.

Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang

April 24th 2008 05:15


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PS: and not always necessary what guys want.

e.g. most guys like healthy looking girls, not skinny ones.

But since most healthy girls are generaly skinny...well...the rest go without saying.

Comment by Anonymous

April 24th 2008 08:14
Really Long Link

LOLOLOLOLOL

Comment by Michaelie

April 24th 2008 09:50


Flick Wit
Am always a bit confused by Peter Yang's comments...

Anyway Caroline, I pretty much agree. I don't think it's healthy and I think it's getting worse (Zoo is particularly insipid. A zoo is probably exactly what's needed for most of it's readers.) But I would hope that most mature men have more brains than to think the, ah, ladies, featured in these kinds of magazines are real in any way.

But then it's not about the men really is it? It's the impact being faced with these images everyday is having on women, and their expectations of, and attitudes toward, themselves. Have you read John Berger's 'Ways of Seeing'? It's always been happening, but I think the way of the modern age is making it worse.

Michaelie

Comment by Mike Crowl

April 24th 2008 11:02


Webitz
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While I agree in part with what's being said here, I have to ask: have you checked out women's mags lately? They may not have quite so many air-brushed young ladies in them, but they have plenty of scantily-clad girls in provocative poses, they abound in stories about sex, and who's dating who - or not. When women start going on about men's mags I often wonder whether they overlook what's available for women.

Comment by stu-kicks

April 24th 2008 11:31


stu kicks
man i fully love zoo magazine its the best

Comment by Ahmed

April 24th 2008 13:58


Video Gamer Kids
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nope, I've always had unrealistic expections.

Aim for the sky and you can't miss it I always say (noto really)

granted that hasn't worked well for me so far, ah well.

Comment by Wynona Lavota

April 24th 2008 22:23


Generation Y Life
Well women like Germaine Greer pushed for change and made it happen. I'm not saying it'll be easy, but I think articles like this are providing some resitance to the air burshed 'models'.

And if all else fails, lety's turn up the pressure on men. Let's make them feel like they're not good enough. I mean, misery loves company, right?

Comment by Cibbuano

April 24th 2008 23:27


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I don't really have a problem with the idea of men's magazines. Pictures of girls, articles about sports and electronics, whatever.

After all, if you want to get rid of these magazines, then I must insist that we get rid of all the magazines targeted at women.

My problem with magazines like Zoo, Stuff, Maxim, FHM is that they're awful. Poor quality garbage.

The quality of writing in these magazines has steadily declined since Maxim came out. They've got from semi-inspired investigative articles to easy-to-digest bullet points and trivia balloons.

And don't get me started on the girlie photos. It makes me nauseous - they photoshop the images to the point where there's nothing natural about it anymore. The popularity of models with plastic surgery makes me frown, too.

So: as a result, the only magazine that I can stomach is Playboy, which I read today, and was fantastic.

Comment by Anonymous

April 24th 2008 23:39
Go out and get a job you fucking femnazi lezzo slut.

There's no point posting these generic 30 year old arguments just because you're an undergrad humanities student

Comment by Caroline Zielinski

April 25th 2008 01:34


Pop Culturer
Ok, to that disgusting person who wrote that last comment, if you're so offended by this article and blog, DON'T READ IT. Get a life, and don't insult people in such a crude way, it only shows you're an ignorant person who can't express him/herself without swearing.

Also, I have been studying women's mags as well, just hadn't had a chance to write much about it. Yes, I do agree that they perpetuate the unrealistic image of women as well, however in a slighlty more artisitc way. I appreciate all your comments, thanks for the insight guys.

Comment by Caroline Zielinski

April 25th 2008 01:38


Pop Culturer
Hey Michaelie,

Yeah, I have read Berger, and I agree with what he says. Women are taught to watch themselves being watched from a young age, internalising the Male Gaze and judging themselves according to the way men judge them.

Comment by Mike Crowl

April 25th 2008 02:43


Webitz
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I don't entirely agree with this last statement. If you look at women's magazines, especially the classier ones, it's the women being watched by other women in them. And since that's not likely to be sexual in the same way as men watching women, it can only mean that these magazines are there to promote envy on behalf of the readers...

Or if not that, then what are they promoting?

Comment by Caroline Zielinski

April 25th 2008 02:58


Pop Culturer
Well, yes, it's both really. Women watch themselves being watched by everyone. You're right - women's mags play on envy in the sense that they make the female readers WANT to look like them, but at the same time, WHY do they want to look like these beautiful models? Because a lot feel that's what men want in a woman. Not all - but many.

Comment by Anonymous

April 25th 2008 03:07
From a guys point of view (I am a guy). I wish women would stop acting as if they don't desire attractive men. If you are honest with yourselves, most women also dream about 'the perfect guy' (even if he doesnt exist in reality).

I usually only hear the types of comments above from women who feel that they can no longer compete.

It takes two hands to clap.

Comment by Ahmed

April 25th 2008 03:24


Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Cinema Three
"Let's make them feel like they're not good enough"

Clearly they don't do enough of that...

/sarcasm

Comment by Mike Crowl

April 25th 2008 05:52


Webitz
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"WHY do they want to look like these beautiful models? Because a lot feel that's what men want in a woman. Not all - but many."

I don't think this makes sense. Women in women's magazines look like they do because men want them to look like that? Are women so insecure that they can only look the way men want them to look? I suspect it's more because they want to look the way other think they should look.

I don't think men in general are terribly excited by skinny models with their bones sticking out...which seems to be the current rage in women's mags.

Comment by Anonymous

April 25th 2008 11:03
so many guys are like that now-a-days o.o it sickens me.
thankfully i managed to snag myself a boyfriend who concideres porn and their stars to be as sickening as i do. and he hates boob jobs.
oh, and something i find funny.
im pretty sure krystal says she opposes plastic surgery and would never get a boob job.
PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFHAHAH AHA DONT MAKE ME LAUGH!

Comment by Anonymous

April 25th 2008 16:12
you r all hippies. i hate hippies.

Comment by God

April 25th 2008 16:14
ohmy god you r so racist

Comment by Anonymous

April 25th 2008 16:19
ur just ignorant dont be intolerant its not right for the world.

Comment by Anonymous

April 25th 2008 18:04
I am who I am....other's approval is not needed!

Comment by Morgan Bell

April 25th 2008 18:25


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i once read that porn mags (the ones with explicit nudity) photoshop womens genetalia, evening up labia, making the pink bits more pink etc so when young men see their natural (un-photoshopped) girlfriends in real life they think their vaginas are deformed

its probably the same with breasts, like dont most women have one breast larger than the other?

i dont know what our cultural obsession is with photoshopping women (and men) is . . . even thin people (male and female) have stretch marks, cellulite, dimples, body hair, scars, freckles, tan-lines, moles etc

i wonder if womens mags photoshop mens penises?

Comment by James Rickard

April 27th 2008 23:31


unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Hey Caroline,

I REALLY makes me P.O.ed when people rag on posts under the cloak of "ANONYMOUS!" If you can't say anything goo, don't say anything!

As for girlie pictures and what not--it used to be that you could look at Playboy to see what so and so looked like without any clothes. Now days, with airbrushing and all that, all the chicks look the same. You can take any head and put it on any body and, probably 60-70 percent of the time you can't tell the difference.

Comment by ted

April 28th 2008 00:09
hi Caroline dont you think the same could be said about
women's mags and the way men and boys are portrayed???

Comment by Jessicca

April 28th 2008 01:03


Learning Something Everyday
Malaysia Found
I can't help but to agree with you, Caroline.

Probably staying single is better than to submit and be a "slave doll" for egoistic men who dreams nothing but "perfect" (external that is) women.

How sad that this world has become???

This is an interesting scripture I found

Psalms 139:14
I will give you praise, for I am strangely and delicately formed; your works are great wonders, and of this my soul is fully conscious. (Bible in Basic English)

Just hope that everyone is aware of themselves of being how wonderful and unique they are, from DNA, characters, to the entire person.

Have a blessed day
Jessicca

Comment by Caroline Zielinski

April 28th 2008 08:11


Pop Culturer
Thanks Jessica , you too.

Comment by Pat

April 28th 2008 10:28


Books Are For Losers
I look like a male model (no joke) and I don't see why I should expect anything less from women.

Comment by Caroline Zielinski

May 2nd 2008 01:49


Pop Culturer
I'm sorry, but don't you think that's a little bit shallow? What you're implying is that good looking people should be with good looking people, and less attractive with less attractive?

Hopefully you can look beyond the looks of a woman...it's not all there is, you know. Being good looking in society's eyes does not give anyone the right to think they're better than other people.

Comment by Pat

May 2nd 2008 04:32


Books Are For Losers
It doesn't make me better than other people, it just makes me better looking than other people. I don't see the problem with someone who takes care of themselves looking for someone else who also takes care of themselves through exercise, a good diet, healthy living, being well-dressed etc etc. It makes damn good sense.

Comment by Mike Crowl

May 2nd 2008 07:33


Webitz
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Crikey! Darwinism at its most profound!

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