Are males more obsessed with their looks?

 I think there's been a trend toward that. Just look at the increase in number of products for men and how many more guys go to the gym to work out. I know sports fitness has become a bigger issue with modern athletics; but not enough tio account for the increase in guys who work out. 
 As far as myself, its not a huge issue; obviously I take care of personal hygiene, hair combed etc. But other than that its not a big issue, clothes are pretty much whatever unless I am going to a more formal event; in which case I might take a little more time.

well I’m a girl, but i hang out with a ton of guys… and what i usually notice, is them fixing there clothes, or there hair or something, and trying to look better, but from a girls perspective i think its kind of unnecessary because i don’t think looking good is the top priority that girls like them for, or just any persons perspective… i think its cool if a guy doesn’t worry about how he looks, and has some confidence :smile:

Women definitely care much much more than guys do.

This of course is all thanks to TV shows such as “Paris Hilton’s New BFF”.

Our worship of attractive celebrities and the media gives out the message that you need to look a certain way to be accepted.

I think that people in general both male and female, put a lot of value in how their peers perceive them. First impressions are, and always have been important to the vast majority of people. It’s just exactly what a good impression is that changes in my opinion. For a long while I guess it was viewed as a female trait to be concerned about looks, something males would likely not view very positively in each other. Perhaps this is just becoming less significant in the male psyche, being replaced by the belief, it’s how you get the ‘fit girls.’

So in other words, it’s not males that are becoming more obsessed with their appearance, but the general social expectations of them that is. They most likely just respond due to peer-pressure, and as always there is a company there, eager to oblige this drive with their latest product. Companies will exploit a trait and push it forward, but it would be illogical to try and push something that has no market to begin with. I don’t think they are worried the market with women is exhausted, until societal expectations shift, there will always be a market. (There has been for thousands of years) It’s just that mens products were few and far between, but there was a demand for such products.

I believe it’s less that people are obsessed with their looks, and more that they are obsessed with how others perceive them. Something ‘built-in’ to people it seems.

Well I have noticed an increase in Men a becoming obsessed with their appearance… at least in mainstream society.
And we all know that mainstream media and our superficial society is to blame for both Men and Women being obsessed with their looks…

Although I tend to be more a part of the old school earth loving hippie type culture… and I definitely see less obsessive appearance based behavior among this kind of culture…
But we DO love to dress up in fun costumes and trippy, or earthy faery elven like clothing ( that we make ourselves of course) for festivals, ceremonies, shows, parties, gatherings… etc

But on a daily basis… we just wear whats comfortable… dont bother with makeup… and definitely would never put any of those nasty smelly poison chemical filled styling products on our hair or bodies…
The most common hairstyle is dredlocks… especially among guys…
and if not locks… then just natural hair, washed (or not washed) and dried naturally!

And let me tell you… those natural guys who look & smell natural and not fake… mmm mmm yuuuummmmyyyy!!!
Most beautiful Men I’ve ever seen!!
And it didnt take them much work to be that way either!!
I definitely dont like smelling toxic chemicals and fragrances when I hug someone…
And I feel bad for the person using that stuff… unaware of how toxic it all is!
Anyway…
silly stuff I think… but its a result of our consumer based society;
“Buy these poison toxic products… and you’ll be beautiful and sexy!!!”
Dont fall for it Men (or Women)… You are beautiful already :colgate:

It’s the “feminization” of man.

Personally, i’m not obsessed, although I do think I should lose some weight and get fit. But that’s mainly because, well, for example, my girlfriend beat me arm wrestling today, and I actually did try hard! I’m weak as a kitten… And I can’t run for maybe 10 metres without getting short of breath. Methinks I need to get some muscles!

I think it is easy to see this change.
My impression is that in the past, males were more “masculine” and did not care this much about their looks as nowadays. This is of course due to the changes in society.
Everyone (almost) wants to look their absolute best these days. Gyms are becoming more and more popular etc… The whole nutrition, diets, body building etc are getting more and more common and standard.
I can agree with the one who said it is the “femininization of men”. It’s actually a kind of modernization in my opinion. Where people are worrying about what image to project, how to appear.
Hebrew
Do you smoke? alot?

Being concerned with you health is healthy i think :content:
As long as your doing it for yourself and your own sense of well being and not to fit into the mold of the perfect human our society wants to put us in…
Theres a difference with being conscious of our health and being obsessed with our appearances…

I don’t smoke at all, but for years i’ve ended up doing a lot of passive smoking. Problem is, though, i’m also a bit fat. I need to lose some fat and gain some muscle. And maybe just improve general health.

Does that = secondhand smoking

Lol, thats the worst, I was in this position about a year or two ago and its the worst because you can’t really do both at the same time.

Actually, passive smoking is not a big deal in my opinion. It probably affects your long term health but I seriously doubt it affects your immediate shape and condition.
Just start doing any sports!
Its addictive.
Edit:
I saw Adhani’s post now.
Though I wasn’t saying this is good nor bad, I definitely agree with you. In any case, I’m just stating the facts and this truth can be put on many men and women these days.

Well I’ve noticed that I care more about my appearance now than I used to. I’m careful with hygiene and I wear better fitting clothes. I also made an effort to lose weight by going jogging. I don’t think that’s being a “metrosexual” it’s just being aware of how your appearance affects the way people react to you. It’s unfortunate but the world we live in is pretty shallow.

Having said that, I’m not obsessed with my appearance… so maybe we’re talking about something different?

I will admit, I am a tad bit CARING about my looks, such as my hair when in public, should I wear a hat? Not really anything. I noticed I look good as long as I wear a polo shirt, my glasses are up, and my hair is normal. I take A LOT of pictures of myself, but just for my Facebook profile.

My problem is like Hebrew’s, I’m a bit, but only a bit overweight. Very weak looking too. I was told all I need to do is lose a little weight, and add some blond to my hair. Thats all!

This is just 'cause of the whole “got-to-look-good-or-else” thing going around

Seriously? thats pretty suprising…is your girlfriend pretty strong?

I don’t believe women are an exhausted market at all, that’s almost a crazy thought.

I think men are being invited into the beauty market and that’s why men-specific products are being commercialized and promoted moreso now than ever. There’s a substantial amount of money to made in the “look gorgeous or die trying” industry society has created and people want a piece of it.

I feel as if men have cared about their looks just as much as women have. Without dating myself I can remember older family members, males, making sure their pants were perfectly pressed, their hair just right and time spent looking in the mirror was almost insane. Today metrosexuality has allowed men to publicly admit their interests in self image without the fear of being labeled “homosexual” or too feminine.

So are men more conscious of their looks today; I don’t think so. I believe they are just more comfortable with beauty/looks.

Do women like it more? I’m not too sure about that. Some of us don’t and some do. I personally have a problem with a man’s eyebrows being perfectly groomed. It just isn’t a look right on all of them.

Nope… to be honest, she doesn’t have that much muscle on her, but, yeah, i’ve only ever won an arm wrestle once.

/me is surprised as well

you look pretty strong, Jason, are you sure you’re doing it right? :tongue:

There is nothing wrong with a man caring about the way he looks, thats a good thing. Although I would not go as far as to say that most men care more about it then women. Can you say [b]gay[/b]? :smile:

water is also toxic. i wouldn’t want to be hugging someone who sips that deadly poison and i feel bad for them too. sigh. soap (and other cleansing/hygienic products) is one of the marvel inventions of humanity that has enabled us to survive as long as we have and develop the complex society that we live in. plus i was forced to eat it when i was younger and had a potty mouth. it tastes bad but i promise you it is not toxic. so go ahead and take a shower with soap and wash your hair. you’ll be okay. i promise. and it won’t be as unbearable for me the next time i have to sit next to you in class or on the bus.