Representation and Men's Health: Blog Task
1) Why is Men's Health defined as a 'lifestyle magazine'?
Men's Health is defined as a "lifestyle magazine" because the magazine doesn't just contain things about the Health for men but it contains other topics as well. The word "lifestyle" refers to the general interests of men in society today. Also it can be defined as a marketing strategy which will attract men so that they will want to engage and read the magazine.
2) Why is advertising significant in helping to shape masculine identity?
Advertising is significant in helping to shape masculine identity because it promotes the magazine company, it promotes new models and specific identities. Advertising does cross financial borders, but it creates a sense of identity and a personality for the company. The wide catalogue of goods presented in the magazine –including products such as fashion apparel, accessories, beer, technology, nutritious food, cologne, etc.– can be understood as a way in which the reader is provided with a variety of goods that help him to perform effectively in society by expressing his identity in physical terms.
3) The article suggests that the representation of masculinity in Men's Health is not fixed or natural and is subject to constant change. What media theorists that we have studied previously can be linked to these ideas?
The media theorists that can be linked to the ideas of the representation of masculinity in Men's Health is not fixed or natural and is a subject to constant to change is David Gauntlett. David Gauntlett said "views of gender and sexuality, masculinity and femininity, identity and self hood, are all slow but study processes of change and transformation. Another theorist that supports this is Gelfer. Gelfer said " previously, masculinity, was mostly presented in one of 2 ways: either a glamorous James Bond- style masculinity that attracted "the ladies" or a buffoon- style masculinity that was firmly under the wifely thumb. Thankfully, and somewhat belatedly, things are beginning to change."
4) What does the article suggest Men's Health encourages its readers to be? What examples and statistics are provided to develop the idea of men as consumers?
The article suggest Men's Health encourages it's readers to develop a new profile, be active consumers and be interested in fashion and personal products. The examples and statistics that are provided to develop the idea of men as consumers is men’s increasing interest in fashion and personal products, as proved in a research conducted by Euro monitor International which shows that “the global market for male grooming products grew by an impressive average annual rate of 5.7% between 1997-2005”5. Thus, in order to create this interest in consumption, men began to be represented from a new perspective, slightly distant from the traditional depictions that were seen in the past.
5) What representations of the male body can be found in Men's Health?
The representations of the male body that can be found in Men's Health is the characteristic features of Men’s Health is the reiterated exposure of the male anatomy, since it is openly exposed to the readers from front page to the back cover in order to be observed, admired, and consumed. This way, the body is treated in multiple ways, suggesting different male identities which present two main aspects in common; the cult of the athletic body in one hand and the acquisition of certain products to improve its appearance in the other hand.
6) What does the article suggest regarding the objectification of men?
The article suggests regarding the objectification of men is that it is exposed to the readers gaze. Men are increasingly and apologetically objectified, both in terms of erotic spectacle and as targets of advertising for products beyond cars and beer, including many items once thought to be marketed for women alone.
7) What is 'metro sexuality' and how can it be applied to Men's Health?
Metro sexuality is the most often used when talking about the new depictions within men’s magazines since it refers to a man who is extremely aware of his physical appearance and is devoted to it by buying cosmetic and fashion products. This can be applied to Men's Health because the central image on the magazine is always a celebrity who has big muscles and has a good physic which means that they are devoted to fashion and cosmetic products.
8) What representation of men in Men's Health is discussed in the section 'Homogenous bodies'?
The representation of men in Men's Health that is discussed in the "Homogeneous bodies" section is which portrays the dominant depictions of maleness in physical terms, linked to power, strength, and youth. The representation of men in the magazine can be analysed in three different aspects: his physical appearance, his external look (in terms of style), and his lifestyle (values). In general terms, he is profiled as a young white middle-class man, physically well-built, and sexually attractive. Concerning his external look, he wears fashionable clothing, presents a modern hairstyle, and carries trendy complements, which make him look elegant and tasteful. Finally, these features are the external expression of a healthy, sporty, and successful lifestyle.
9) What are the conclusions drawn by the article with regards to the representation of masculinity in Men's Health?
The conclusions that are drawn by the article with regards to the representation of masculinity in Men's Health is that it portrays different types of masculinity such as the new man, new lad and metro sexual. Something makes Men’s Health different from the rest of magazines and better defines its philosophy, is its orientation towards health and fitness. Moreover, the body is understood as one of the places that still remains under male control. This way, Men's Health presents an instrumentalist conception of the body, since it’s depicted as a machine that can be improved to perform better, faster and longer.
10) What is your own view of the representation of masculinity in Men's Health? Is it a positive representation that encourages men to the best they can be or is it a hypermasculine, consumer-driven representation designed to undermine men's confidence and objectify their bodies?
In my opinion, I think that the representation of masculinity in Men's Health is a hyper masculine, consumer-driven representation designed to undermine men's confidence and objectify their bodies. Firstly, the men on the front cover of the magazine mostly are hardly wearing any clothing, so their flesh is mostly on show so their bodies are being objectified and this is mostly for the female gaze, Women will look at the front cover and will get pleasure from it. Another thing is that there is a lot of editing done on the image on the front cover. When men see the image on the front cover they will look at their own bodies and won't be happy with it because they want to be like the person on the magazine. This will drain men's confidence because they are not happy with the way their body looks comapred to a typical cover star such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Vin Diesel as they have a regular training method to train their elite fitness.
Men's Health is defined as a "lifestyle magazine" because the magazine doesn't just contain things about the Health for men but it contains other topics as well. The word "lifestyle" refers to the general interests of men in society today. Also it can be defined as a marketing strategy which will attract men so that they will want to engage and read the magazine.
2) Why is advertising significant in helping to shape masculine identity?
Advertising is significant in helping to shape masculine identity because it promotes the magazine company, it promotes new models and specific identities. Advertising does cross financial borders, but it creates a sense of identity and a personality for the company. The wide catalogue of goods presented in the magazine –including products such as fashion apparel, accessories, beer, technology, nutritious food, cologne, etc.– can be understood as a way in which the reader is provided with a variety of goods that help him to perform effectively in society by expressing his identity in physical terms.
3) The article suggests that the representation of masculinity in Men's Health is not fixed or natural and is subject to constant change. What media theorists that we have studied previously can be linked to these ideas?
The media theorists that can be linked to the ideas of the representation of masculinity in Men's Health is not fixed or natural and is a subject to constant to change is David Gauntlett. David Gauntlett said "views of gender and sexuality, masculinity and femininity, identity and self hood, are all slow but study processes of change and transformation. Another theorist that supports this is Gelfer. Gelfer said " previously, masculinity, was mostly presented in one of 2 ways: either a glamorous James Bond- style masculinity that attracted "the ladies" or a buffoon- style masculinity that was firmly under the wifely thumb. Thankfully, and somewhat belatedly, things are beginning to change."
4) What does the article suggest Men's Health encourages its readers to be? What examples and statistics are provided to develop the idea of men as consumers?
The article suggest Men's Health encourages it's readers to develop a new profile, be active consumers and be interested in fashion and personal products. The examples and statistics that are provided to develop the idea of men as consumers is men’s increasing interest in fashion and personal products, as proved in a research conducted by Euro monitor International which shows that “the global market for male grooming products grew by an impressive average annual rate of 5.7% between 1997-2005”5. Thus, in order to create this interest in consumption, men began to be represented from a new perspective, slightly distant from the traditional depictions that were seen in the past.
5) What representations of the male body can be found in Men's Health?
The representations of the male body that can be found in Men's Health is the characteristic features of Men’s Health is the reiterated exposure of the male anatomy, since it is openly exposed to the readers from front page to the back cover in order to be observed, admired, and consumed. This way, the body is treated in multiple ways, suggesting different male identities which present two main aspects in common; the cult of the athletic body in one hand and the acquisition of certain products to improve its appearance in the other hand.
6) What does the article suggest regarding the objectification of men?
The article suggests regarding the objectification of men is that it is exposed to the readers gaze. Men are increasingly and apologetically objectified, both in terms of erotic spectacle and as targets of advertising for products beyond cars and beer, including many items once thought to be marketed for women alone.
7) What is 'metro sexuality' and how can it be applied to Men's Health?
Metro sexuality is the most often used when talking about the new depictions within men’s magazines since it refers to a man who is extremely aware of his physical appearance and is devoted to it by buying cosmetic and fashion products. This can be applied to Men's Health because the central image on the magazine is always a celebrity who has big muscles and has a good physic which means that they are devoted to fashion and cosmetic products.
8) What representation of men in Men's Health is discussed in the section 'Homogenous bodies'?
The representation of men in Men's Health that is discussed in the "Homogeneous bodies" section is which portrays the dominant depictions of maleness in physical terms, linked to power, strength, and youth. The representation of men in the magazine can be analysed in three different aspects: his physical appearance, his external look (in terms of style), and his lifestyle (values). In general terms, he is profiled as a young white middle-class man, physically well-built, and sexually attractive. Concerning his external look, he wears fashionable clothing, presents a modern hairstyle, and carries trendy complements, which make him look elegant and tasteful. Finally, these features are the external expression of a healthy, sporty, and successful lifestyle.
9) What are the conclusions drawn by the article with regards to the representation of masculinity in Men's Health?
The conclusions that are drawn by the article with regards to the representation of masculinity in Men's Health is that it portrays different types of masculinity such as the new man, new lad and metro sexual. Something makes Men’s Health different from the rest of magazines and better defines its philosophy, is its orientation towards health and fitness. Moreover, the body is understood as one of the places that still remains under male control. This way, Men's Health presents an instrumentalist conception of the body, since it’s depicted as a machine that can be improved to perform better, faster and longer.
10) What is your own view of the representation of masculinity in Men's Health? Is it a positive representation that encourages men to the best they can be or is it a hypermasculine, consumer-driven representation designed to undermine men's confidence and objectify their bodies?
In my opinion, I think that the representation of masculinity in Men's Health is a hyper masculine, consumer-driven representation designed to undermine men's confidence and objectify their bodies. Firstly, the men on the front cover of the magazine mostly are hardly wearing any clothing, so their flesh is mostly on show so their bodies are being objectified and this is mostly for the female gaze, Women will look at the front cover and will get pleasure from it. Another thing is that there is a lot of editing done on the image on the front cover. When men see the image on the front cover they will look at their own bodies and won't be happy with it because they want to be like the person on the magazine. This will drain men's confidence because they are not happy with the way their body looks comapred to a typical cover star such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Vin Diesel as they have a regular training method to train their elite fitness.
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