Turning Goys into Girls

I decided to respond to an article I read last week for the iRead essay, Turning Goys into Girls, by Michelle Cottle. After reading this article again with past knowledge about the author’s claim I do believe that men are just as insecure as women now and Men’s Health magazine brings men’s insecurities to view.  Many beauty products are now focused on men because now they are a target, not just women. Women have always worried about their waistline, how many wrinkles they have, and how they can get rid of thunder thighs. Men seem to be worried about the same things. At the gym I see mainly males because looking fit is a masculine trait. Many reality shows feature men getting faces masks and manicures. The Jersey Shore is a great example of the change in men. The men on that show go tanning, work out every day, and take hours to get ready much like most girls. Flipping through a men’s magazine there is hardly anything but weight loss plans, articles on how to look younger, and ways to get women in bed. If you compare men 50 years ago to men today, they have completely changed. Men are no longer the main bread winners, rough, and dirty. They are much more feminine, concerned with appearance, and wishing they looked younger.  I completely agree with all of the authors’ claims and I see now after eleven years since she wrote this article her points are even more relevant. I also agree with her statement that men are now more appearance conscious because of the threat of women in the workforce and because a suave, clean-cut, fit, and young man is the definition of a successful businessman today.  I like the idea that the playing field for men and women is becoming more equal, but I hope that men do not lose their sense of masculinity.