In the image-crazed society in which we live, female beauty pageants are something that commentators are often only too keen to attack. They promote vanity and exclusivity; they make women the objects of the male gaze. But what happens when the object of this male gaze becomes males themselves? Do we, or should we, sympathise with male beauty pageant contestants, when they are placed on a pedestal and judged according to their looks and attributes?
One of the earliest so-called beauty pageants was in 1859, taking the form of a re-enactment of a medieval joust that was held in Scotland. Modern male beauty pageants are a clear legacy of this: physical strength, agility and competitiveness are highly valued in today’s beauty contests for men.
But these qualities are arguably dangerous and unrealistic, on a level relating to both health and culture.
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Whilst a healthy lifestyle and exercise should naturally be valued, male beauty pageants often go too far, encouraging men to fulfill unattainable and sometimes dangerous expectations. The use, and abuse, of steroids, and of illegal nutrition supplements, as well as the threat of injury and joint problems due to excessive weight-lifting, put male beauty pageant contestants at risk. What can become an obsession with body image and strength, is only exacerbated when the social pressure to be “macho” is introduced.
Male beauty pageants are arguably only an arbitrary measure of beauty and talent, in much the same way that female beauty pageants are. Indeed, Mr World is described as “the world’s most desirable man,” yet this is according to the opinion of the very few. Male beauty pageants teach young men that to be “desirable” is to be “ripped” and to be able to lift a few meaningless weights. Although intelligence and personality are now also measured in male beauty contests, far more emphasis seems to be placed on image and this subjective view of attractiveness.
So, maybe men are reduced to a certain ideal, just as much as women are. It may no longer be a case of the “male gaze” scrutinising women, but of “society’s gaze” placing everyone under the microscope. A lack of diversity in these contests has also been criticised, for it is generally white, wealthy males who succeed the most. A certain amount of money is definitely needed for men to build up the required image, whether it be through personal trainers, dieticians or special supplements. A survey found that the average monthly gym membership in the UK is £32, and the costs only stack up with 2.2kg of protein whey powder costing over £42 on the UK Bodybuilding online store.
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However, the Mr England contest is becoming more and more inclusive. 2015’s winner, Chris Bramell, was scouted whilst at work in a supermarket, whereas Mr England in 2010 was won by a black man.
My own great uncle was proclaimed “Mr London” in the 1960s, and subsequent generations have only ever been impressed by his achievements, and his dedication to his body and fitness. And whilst winning beauty pageants can certainly build men’s confidence and motivate them to achieve, it is important to avoid imposing dangerous and idealistic expectations on anyone. Male beauty pageants are arguably not the way to do this.