The "Perfect" Man

In our culture we have been bombarded by images of what it means to be beautiful, young and perfect. It is almost impossible to escape the absorption of these images, and as a result we put unconscious expectations on ourselves and others. Bordo discusses how the media spends millions of dollars creating these images of beautiful bodies but she claims that the most "compelling images are suffused with 'subjectivity'-- they speak to us, they seduce us" (186). She goes on to explain how these images of "subjectivity" have "power over us--over our psyches, our desires, our self-images" (186).

I believe that ads do have power over us and gain control through exploiting our insecurities. I know I have been a victim of the media's images of "subjectivity" and I have put the media's expectations on my own body. The media's images of what women should look like have made me question my own body, face and clothes. Many times I have believed that I did not have the "right" type of beauty, but maybe if I bought that skin product my face would be perfect, or if I bought certain clothes I would look thinner. Even after taking multiple women's studies classes that help me become aware of the media's true intentions, I still often find myself wanting to look like the women I see in magazines. When I asked my female friends if they could relate to my problem, most all of them said yes. I also asked my male friends if they felt affected by the media's images of men in magazines, and I found the results to be similar. My male friends did admit to feeling insecure about their own bodies because women expected them to look hot and toned like men in magazines, television and movies.

Men, like women, have been victims of the media. Both have had their bodies enhanced, airbrushed and portrayed as "perfect". Real men have developed the idea that these strong, muscular, hairless men shown in the media are what women are attracted to and are looking for. The media has allowed for women to set standards for men based on appearance. In the Absolut Vodka Ad, it shows a women putting together her "perfect" man that she has customized and ordered. As I examined the image the man seems to fit the qualifications of "perfect" constructed by the media. He has abs which suggest he is strong and muscular. He is wearing glasses, meaning that is he smart. He has a tattoo and is holding a guitar, suggesting he has a bad boy side. He is holding flowers, which shows he is caring and chivalrous. He is wearing nice dress pants, suggesting he has a good career and will be able to provider for her. Even that box says "The Perfect Man". This ad is different in the sense that it shows a women objectifying a man. She seems to want him for companionship and for her own personal pleasure. He was made for her and she has the option to do what she wishes with him. This man has no control over what is happening to his half naked body. The image helps to represent Bordo's idea that "women have been deprived not so much of the sight of beautiful male bodies as the experience of having the male body offered to us [women]" (178). The man's body in the ad is being offered to the woman but her expression shows that she does not know what to do with his body. Even with the directions in front of her, she is still struggling. On one hand, I believe that this ad works with the female fantasy of being able to have and construct the "perfect" man. On the other hand, the ad works to exploit female insecurity and belief that to be truly happy a woman needs a man. It also shows male insecurities, that they must act and look a certain way for women to want them. Who would you argue is in the victim of the media in this ad? Are they both victims or is the viewer the true victim?