does the media influence how men perceive their bodies? why or why not?

Yes, the media significantly influences how men perceive their bodies, primarily by promoting unattainable ideals of muscularity and leanness, which can lead to dissatisfaction and harmful behaviors. This effect stems from repeated exposure to idealized images in social media, movies, and ads that shape self-comparison and internalization of narrow standards.

Key Mechanisms

Media works through social comparison , where men measure themselves against hyper-muscular figures like superheroes or fitness influencers, often leading to lower body satisfaction. Passive scrolling amplifies awareness of appearance flaws, while active engagement (liking/commenting) heightens negative emotions. Studies show even brief exposure shifts men's self-ratings toward desiring more muscle.

Evidence from Research

• A 2023 Frontiers study found men idealize low-fat, highly muscled bodies reinforced by "fitspiration" content, increasing risks like steroid use.

• Brunel University's 2024 research linked higher social media use to greater body consciousness and muscularity drives in men.

• Newport Institute highlights how celebrity transformations (e.g., Chris Pratt) fuel inferiority in young men.

These patterns echo women's experiences but focus on muscularity over thinness for men.

Counterarguments

Not all exposure harms equally—body-positive content or diverse representations can mitigate effects, and individual factors like self-esteem play a role. Some men report neutral or positive motivation from fitness media. However, pervasive ideals still dominate platforms, outweighing positives for most.

Real-World Trends

As of early 2026, discussions on platforms like Reddit and X trend toward male body image crises, with 56% of U.S. men in a YouGov survey citing media pressure for unattainable physiques. Rising gym culture and steroid anecdotes tie back to TikTok/Instagram algorithms pushing extremes.

"Higher social media use... was associated with an increased awareness of their appearance and a drive for more muscular physiques."

TL;DR : Media profoundly shapes men's body perceptions negatively via idealized muscular norms, backed by studies showing dissatisfaction from exposure—though positives exist, risks like anxiety dominate.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.