Consumer Behavior

Body Dissatisfaction of Ethnically Diverse Gay, Straight Men and the Proliferation of Social Media and Fashion Magazines

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Abstract

Mass media is considered the most pervasive cause of body dissatisfaction. The current research takes a more focused look at ethnic minority gay men and their body dissatisfaction. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of social and entertainment media (fashion magazines) exposure on BD, social comparison and thin-ideal internalization of diverse gay and straight men. This study replicated results that find gay men are more dissatisfied with their bodies than straight men. This then may affect their choices of clothing, as gay may were found more likely to hide their bodies with loose clothing. Increased exposure to social and entertainment media (fashion magazines) affected BD in young diverse males. Entertainment media (fashion magazines) should focus on presenting more realistic, more diverse and more types of male bodies in general. Since young people use SNS so frequently, these sites should be a focus of media literacy programs.

Keywords: fashion magazines, gay men, diversity

How to Cite:

Azocar, C. & Markova, I., (2019) “Body Dissatisfaction of Ethnically Diverse Gay, Straight Men and the Proliferation of Social Media and Fashion Magazines”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 76(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.8446