"Boy Problems"

When was the last time you saw a plus-sized modeling campaign for men? A body positivity campaign for men? Or, even a clothing line that accommodates larger sizes and doesn’t look like it came straight out of the 90s? Let’s face it: living in the social media era can be tough. With apps like Instagram, which allows everyone to look like they’ve stepped right out of a photoshoot with Mario Testino, it’s easy for individuals to be particularly hard on themselves. These issues, however, are usually associated with women. Many body positivity campaigns centered on embracing and loving who you are have come out in support of women. If you’re like me, you probably cry anytime you see a Dove ad. A major shift is happening to empower women to love their bodies, which is amazing, but unfortunately men are being left out of the conversation.

At Queen’s, we are constantly surrounded by beautiful people. I literally have not seen an unattractive person here. Never. It honestly baffles me. Since I was young, I have always felt uncomfortable in my skin; I have felt like I don’t fit into the beauty standards of today’s society. Starting when we’re young, boys are taught manliness is about being macho, strong, and handsome. Have you ever seen a superhero without a six-pack? Same. Even in Hollywood, male protagonists are built to be beautiful people with unattainable features that set an unrealistic image for beauty ideals.

Magazines constantly remind us that, to be attractive, you have to be slim and toned and that, if you’re not, you need to somehow get there. Online content perpetuates this. There are even Cosmo online forums titled, “My Boyfriend Is Losing his Abs” and “My Boyfriend Used to Be Fit but Now He’s Fat.” These forums have advice such as “hide the ice cream” or “scatter food throughout the house so he has to workout for the food.” Um, what? Articles like these, present across the Internet, are simply offensive and rude. Not to get too political, but if the gender roles were to be reversed, the Internet would be in shambles— but somehow this is OK?

The moral of the story is that both men and women have it hard. As a society, we need to embrace all shapes and sizes and empower people to embrace the skin they’re in. None of us are #flawless (OK, maybe Tyra), but everyone should have the opportunity to feel like they are, and more men need to be empowered to feel beautiful.

By Aidan Tammaro | Photography by Marshall McCann