When you think of men in the media, what do you think of? Often men are portrayed negatively as deadbeat dads, womanizers, players, incompetent or misogynistic. Even when men are portrayed more “positively”, the standards are often impossible to achieve. For example, men are often portrayed as in-shape, handsome, rich, and ultra-successful. Men may feel inclined to meet these exaggerated ideals. Ongoing exposure to these portrayals may lead to issues with self-esteem, shame, and hopelessness. When talking about unrealistic body and lifestyle standards, we need to remember to not leave men out of the conversation.
