An insight in to a new generation of men. Introducing Metrosexuality.
‘You look really pretty darling’ Barry said to his wife,
‘…and I really like your lipstick, any chance of me borrowing it?’
With the turn of the century, along came a new generation of men; an emerging breed of men who enjoy reading girls magazines, preening and looking after themselves. At first we saw this as a great benefit, it made a change from the stereotypical lager lout with a 42 inch gut. However we are now starting to doubt whether them spending 3 hours getting ready is actually a good thing?
At first the new femininity fad seemed to follow the football craze, lifting the constant changing hair of the England football captain David Beckham. Yet now it seems to have developed into an obsession over how men perceive themselves, how much hair gel, after shave and moisturiser they can put on a 5’10” body.
It has therefore become apparent that ‘Metrosexualiy’ is the new in between which allows straight men to sleep with women, yet look as stylish as a gay guy? Metrosexuality doesn’t necessarily mean you are gay, straight or bi-sexual, it just clearly proves that he’s taken himself as his own love object and pleasure as his sexual preference, they love to be adored and adore themselves. The blurring of gender lines is becoming a ‘more than occasional’ occurrence everywhere in the world, becoming rapidly popular in Japan and America.
David Beckham recently posed for a gay magazine ‘Attitude’ he admitted that he wasn’t gay, yet didn’t mind being a gay style icon, he likes to be admired, he says, and doesn't care whether the admiring is done by women or by men.
The term ‘metrosexual’ is now a widely used term by all the media’s, however was first created by Mark Simpson who invented this term in 1994 in the Independent, his definition for it was ‘A dandyish narcissist in love with not only himself but also his urban lifestyle’. So at least we know its original meaning hasn’t been adapted to a great extent.
Media attention is so often criticised for slandering celebrities and over emphasising the need for women to be attractive, however no one ever seems to mention the pressure put on men.
It has become apparent that with the broadening effect of metrosexual 'style icons' such as David Beckham and Brad Pitt, it is time for them to take pride in their appearance and be aware of what they consider to be their physical failings.
Nowadays it seems that a football shirt and a pair of shorts aren’t acceptable to be seen out in, (unless you’re getting paid the salary of a football player of course) Half-time will soon not only offer players sliced orange and a litre of Evian, but it will be a time to re-apply the lippy and run a comb through wind swept hair; even hair alone can take up to half an our to be carefully dishevelled to perfection, insulting the rules of gravity and allowing ‘Tre-Semme’s’ profit to rocket sky-high.
The media however instead of slandering this upcoming trend, are welcoming it with open arms, introducing TV programmes promoting style and image conscious men, such as ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’, a programme where homosexuality has not just become an acceptable aspect of society, yet style guru’s and those of whom we should hang off of there every word!
They may not sit around and talk about their next hair appointment; however, they have become just as image conscious as women, and appreciate healthy skin, luscious locks and designer jeans. Men - it's said - are now more susceptible to anxieties about their body than ever before. It seems to be a new aspect of today’s male population: ‘metrosexuality’. It has started to make me wonder whether a sack-back and crack is the end of the effeminate becoming; or whether perhaps they are going to steal our foundation and book appointments to have nail extensions.
It’s at this point where I ask myself where it’s all going to end? Will there be an in between within genders? Will the battle of the sexes become a never ending bathroom war? I’ll leave that question to you. But if you’re a guy and find yourself sneaking through your girlfriend’s make-up bag, or girls, if you mysteriously misplace your mascara…the question has answered its self.
© Adcidia™ 2010 (Article99.com)
