In a world where traditional masculinity is being challenged by new social sensitivities, many men find themselves struggling to balance tradition with modern expectations. A recent report by Eurispes titled “What is masculinity today?” sheds light on the perceptions men have regarding themselves, their bodies, social functions, and roles in relation to women.
The study reveals that 71.8% of men have a positive relationship with their bodies, although acceptance levels tend to decrease with age. Taking care of their appearance is important for most men, with 20.9% regularly exercising, and a minority using cosmetic products or undergoing aesthetic treatments. Interestingly, 15.3% of men admit to having had some form of cosmetic intervention. Additionally, 3 out of 4 men feel that the media imposes unrealistic standards of male beauty, influencing their body image.
When it comes to emotions, 39.2% of men find it challenging to identify and describe their feelings. More than a quarter of men confess to hiding or suppressing emotions to appear “strong” or “masculine.”
In terms of relational aspects of masculinity, from friendships to romantic relationships, the report highlights that 6 out of 10 men feel competitive with their male peers in terms of personal success. The majority (64.4%) acknowledge the significant influence of male figures in their family on shaping their identity as men.
Interestingly, over half of men feel disconnected from or unsupportive of contemporary feminist movements, with 44% believing that women’s rights receive more attention than men’s. A significant portion (35.2%) admit to feeling afraid of their own aggressiveness at least occasionally. The report also reveals that 75.6% have experienced or witnessed behaviors associated with “toxic masculinity.”
However, 58.9% believe that we should also discuss “toxic femininity” as frequently as toxic masculinity. Nearly 60% feel that society does not adequately support the role of fathers, and over 70% believe that issues like abortion concern both men and women. Despite ongoing societal changes in gender roles, 32.3% of men still struggle to adapt.
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