Journal of Student Research 2016

Journal Student Research

Hegemonic Masculinity and Body Satisfaction

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Hegemonic Masculinity as a Predictor of Body Satisfaction

Asian Social Science 3.3 (2013): 800-813.

UNESCO, 2011. The hidden crisis: Armed conflict and education. Education for all (efa) Global monitoring. Available from http://www.efareport.unes co.org.

Megan Verhagen 1 Applied Social Science

UNESCO/Education for All Global Monitoring Report. Publication. N.P., 2007.

Advisor: Dr. Nels Paulson

United Nations Development Program (UNDP). “Human Development Report 2010: The Real Wealth of Nations: Pathways to Human Development.” United Nations Development Program (UNDP) (2010): n. pag. Web

Abstract The relationship between men and body satisfaction is a topic with increased traction within the academic community. However, there is cur rently no model in place that measures body satisfaction, and without a complete measure, it is difficult for researchers to understand what influences or predicts body satisfaction and how it influences men’s lives. This research used quantitative methods to investigate the use of hegemonic masculinity as a predictor for body satisfaction. A survey containing measures for hegemon ic masculinity and body satisfaction was sent to self-identifying, college-aged men (N = 63) to measure the conformance to hegemonic masculinity and its relation to body satisfaction. Results indicate that hegemonic masculinity, as it is currently measured, is not a predictor for body satisfaction. These results suggest that either the production of hegemonic masculinity has changed since measures were last produced or that hegemonic masculinity is not the production of masculinity that interacts with body image. The author dis cusses why an understanding of the predictors for body satisfaction in men is important and suggests what research can be produced in the future to eventually create a model that can accurately measure body satisfaction and influence the establishment of systems that decrease risk taking in men who experience body dissatisfaction. Hegemonic Masculinity as a Predictor of Body Satisfaction While there has traditionally been less research performed to ex amine the effects of body image dissatisfaction in men than in women, the attention brought to the topic is growing. Schuster, Negy, and Tantleff-Dunn found in their 2011 research that there is increased objectification of male bodies in the media, similar to the fashion that female bodies have been objectified for decades (p. 76). These objectified forms of the male body can be found across various forms of media that both men and women consume including: paintings, films, sporting events, and advertising (Wienke, 2000, p. Keywords : body satisfaction, hegemonic masculinity, body image, risk behav iors

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Megan is in the Honors College of UW-Stout (Ed.)