Why do Men Worry About their Size in the Changing Rooms?

A body image study carried out by Victoria University found that the majority of men were happy with their size where their relationship was concerned, but felt insecure when it came to comparing their body parts to other men. In fact, most men claimed that they cared more about what other men thought of their size than their partners. The study involved 738 men and was carried out in order to see what men thought of their body image. The men, aged between 18 and 76, were insecure about their weight, build and their manhood. Their physique was irrelevant where romance was concerned, but in friendships it appeared to be a cause for concern. Dr Chan, who conducted the study, claimed that men’s preoccupation with size is rarely related to pleasing their sexual partners or even appearing as a better sexual partner – it almost always to do with competition with other men. Known as ‘locker room syndrome’, this obsessive need to compare and compete affects many men. A desire to compete often leads to body building and a need to be muscular, and this is particularly the case amongst homosexual men, the survey found.

The research shows that societal pressures to fit a certain criteria where body image is concerned is not unique to women, and affects men more than we think. While men share similar body issues with women, they don’t have the same avenues to discuss their problems like women do. There is a need for more research-based training so that researchers can de-mystify the stigma attached to male body image. The study also showed the need to incorporate male experiences surrounding obesity and its implications, rather than the one sided view of a male-orientated desire to be muscular. It seems to matter to women more than men think though. Although men are more concerned with male opinions when it comes to their size, a study found that females were influenced by a number of physical features, with penis size ranking high on the list of the priorities. It seems that men are looking to the wrong people for confirmation that they fit the bill where body image is concerned.