All Or Nothing For Everyone
Hollywood, other media sources and their brands have become almost synonymous with controversy, misogyny, racial discrimination and other social misdeeds. This has been especially prevalent in recent years with several producers getting exposed for misconduct, light being shed on the pay gap, and award committees coming under fire. One of the areas that isn’t as widely talked about, but is controversial nevertheless, is nudity. It has always been a considerable topic in the media, and the way male and female nudity is depicted in the media has long been a subject of debate. While nudity is often considered to be an expression of sexuality, the way it is portrayed in the media is often a reflection of societal attitudes towards gender and sexuality. More often than not, it is associated with exploitation of some kind, which is characteristic of the view held by the majority of the modern, Western (American) world.
As most things follow gendered stereotypes in our society, nudity is no different. Male and female nudity are often portrayed very differently in the media. For one thing, female nudity is much more common than male nudity, and when it is depicted, it is often more sexualized. Women’s bodies are often objectified in the media, and female nudity is frequently used to excite male viewers. Male nudity, on the other hand, is often portrayed in a more non-sexual context, such as in films where male actors appear nude for the sake of realism or worse, comedy. Male nudity is widely used as a comedic device; scenes typically find male actors being portrayed in awkward or embarrassing situations for the sake of a cheap laugh. Why is it that when he does it, it’s funny, but when she does it, she’s just obviously trying to show herself off or otherwise glean something from it?
The way male and female nudity is portrayed in the media also reflects different attitudes towards the male and female bodies. While female nudity is often associated with vulnerability and objectification, male nudity is often associated with strength and power. This can be seen in the way male athletes are often depicted nude in the media, with their bodies being celebrated for their muscularity and athleticism. Conversely, if a woman shows off her toned figure, she’s “far too masculine” to be found desirable. It further echoes harmful roles that most people unfortunately get pigeonholed into.
Another difference between male and female nudity in the media is the way it is received by audiences. Female nudity is often seen as more controversial than male nudity, but is less likely to be censored or edited out of media content. This reflects a double standard where women’s bodies are seen as more taboo or scandalous than men’s bodies. To Hollywood’s credit, there has been a push in recent years for more gender equality in the media, and this has extended to the way male and female nudity is depicted. However, there is a growing awareness of the need for more gender equality in the media, and this is reflected in a shift towards more equal and respectful depictions of male and female nudity. Some media producers have begun to make a conscious effort to portray male and female nudity in a more equal and respectful way, with both genders being shown in a variety of contexts and with a variety of body types. Even still, there is still so much work to be done.