Comparing My Physique to the Stereotypical Masculine Image Essays

Comparing My Physique to the Stereotypical Masculine Image When comparing myself to most ideals of masculinity across American culture, I find some mild similarities to the stereotypical masculine image. The extreme images of bulging muscles, chiseled abs, and an expansive body presence lend some elements to my physique, but not very many. Although I do consider myself to be somewhat sportive, the general results of athletic activity don’t reap the usual results on my body. I find my strengths to be more intuitive than physical. I am an introvert, and gather much energy by spending time in solitude. This doesn’t allow much room to benefit from the usual athletic activity that tends to spawn the prototypical masculine figure. Ironically, while many of my male counterparts engage in brutish activities such as lifting weights and playing football, only half of them appear to come even close to possessing the perfect physical physique of American cultural masculinity. Cultural images lend the strengths of both men and women to aesthetic value in their bodies and appearances. Yet, I personally find little real value in aesthetic appearance in relation to a person’s social and moral status. As a Roman Catholic, I place many of my values in faith, and find that cultural ideals that place excessive value in image take away from true values in morals and principles. For this reason, while I do place some value in my aesthetic appearance, I do not place nearly as much as the rest of American culture appears to, yet I do place some. In terms of body physique, I find myself fortunate to maintain a moderate form of body regardless of diet. While my eating level fluctuates, my physique somehow remains consistent. I am 5’8†, weighi... ...ality is one of unity – neither ties into any extreme concern for their relations to the rest of American culture, and the way they reveal themselves reflects this. I do take pride in taking care of my body for health reasons, and for the most part, my care ends there. Any concerns I have for physical appearance are only temporary, and fade as soon as the occasion permits. My faith places value in my body as a temple of God, thus I find it in my best interest to keep it that way as opposed to a means of gaining social and cultural acceptance. I avoid body piercing, tattoos, muscle enhancement, and other means of altering my physique; I prefer to keep my body in its natural state. Even so, I am fortunate that I am able to keep my body at least somewhat in line with both cultural and religious standards. I am satisfied with my body, and would like to keep it this way.