Airbrushed, studio-model fantasies of unattainable physical perfection make women feel worse about their bodies; and they aren't much good for men either.
Psychologists Deborah Schooler and L. Monique Ward analyzed the media habits, self-image and sexual experience of 184 college males. While media consumption doesn't seem to affect satisfaction with body size and shape, guys who take in the most music videos, prime-time TV and men's magazines are much less comfortable with bodily functions, sweat and hair.
As with women, men uncomfortable with their bodies avoid emotional intimacy and take more sexual risks. According to Schooler, "It's unclear if there's a change in the images men are seeing, in men's body image generally, or if we're now finally asking the right questions."
