AIBU to think that boys are under as much pressure to look good as girls these days?

[Fallingrain]

I was reading an interesting article in The Sunday Times last weekend about a boy who got anorexia at 12 and I've seen a few things about it recently (I think it was Eating Disorder Awareness week). When I was younger it seemed very much that it was girls who worried about their weight and appearance. But now it seems to be affecting so many young people - the thought of teenage years terrifies me.

I can't help thinking that all the focus on "healthy" and "clean" eating doesn't improve relationships with food. The list of banned items in my child's packed lunch is crazy these days. I just think it is demonising one of life's great pleasures and everything in moderation is a good philosophy.

I just wondered how others approached and promoted a positive body image with their sons?

In my experience I think teen boys have just the same pressures on them as teen girls at the moment. Girls have the pressure to be thin, lads have the pressure to be muscular. Both boys and girls seem concerned with skin and hair and fashion. It's very, very different to even just 10 years ago and unrecognisable from 25 years ago.

I think often boys are just better at not showing they are bothered about it and having time when they don't think about it as they compartmentalise. For girls it can take over every aspect of their life.

Those who deny boys are under as much pressure really don't help in getting boys to talk about their worries.

Girls are under a lot of pressure but it is well known of and I know as a secondary teacher I have addressed it multiple times. However the pressure on boys is increasing in a subtle way, they are beginning to get pressure on them about looks and clothes and things.

I have written a form time activity for sixth formers which I wrote with the help of some of my form, it was on social media and self esteem and not believing everything they see filters etc, the girls who helped were saying they have been warned about this for so long, they are all very aware of it, but boys don't seem to get the same warnings and are just as prone to it.

Girls seem to be able to access the support whether that is peer or otherwise, boys not so much. As a PP said, mental health in young men is very poor but it is still a huge taboo.

One being a fact does not distract from the other at all, we need to address both.

For example - it is celebrity culture but it is having awareness raised.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40863606

I did a tutor time on eating disorders this week, it was assumed it was a girls issue.

Eating disorders aren’t really about looks. I think most anorexics know that deadly skinny isn’t a good look. It’s an obsesssive disorder.

Anyways YABU for the rest of the post too.

Eyesareneverclosing you have it spot on, hence mental health statistics.