I'm...Too Sexy for my Shirt

It has been no secret that throughout history women and their bodies have been used for visual pleasure in the media and in popular culture. This particular topic has long been an issue feminist dialogue has shined a light on. Remember when people began focusing on the sexual exploitation of women in hip hop culture, especially when Spelman students protested Nelly for his infamous "Tipdrill" video? Well, I'm starting to notice a new trend rising. Check out these photos below:





This photo is an example of what will be seen on magazine stands this Friday. ESPN News Magazine is releasing its first ever "Body Issue", where six athletes who are noted for their desired physiques, will pose nude and have their photo on the cover. Is it me or does it seem like men are also starting to be used more frequently as sexual objects? Don't see what I'm talking about? Look at a few more examples I found:

In advertising...



In the movies...



In music...



It seems as though there is a growing consensus among males that in order to be viewed desirable, you need to have a certain (muscular,hairless,toned) body type. What will this growing trend have on male body type image? It reminds me of an article I read for my Women's Studies classby Michael Kimmel, who described the issues men face as being invisible. He claims men have no real dialogue on what it means to be masculine. If this is true and young boys or men are being told what masculinity is through the media and popular culture instead of "real" dialogue by "real" men, what impact will this have on how they view themselves?