Why are so many men obsessed with getting abs?

[PGWo]

I see it on the cover of any men's magazines when I go out. Why do men starve themselves and spend every waking hour working out just to get some bumps on their stomach?
Do they actually think it would impress women? Any woman who cares about abs probably isn't worth their time anyway.

@Patchbatch
No actually, I was consistently sexually harassed throughout secondary school and university by rugby players.
My son has also been bullied by rugby players several times. I'm sure you'll say it's good for his development so he can toughen up or something.

I said they look masculine but thats only one of the attributes I mentioned but you are clinging to that for some reason.
Masculinity as an aesthetic is hard to define, but I personally quite like it in both men and women. Maybe because im not that strong myself so swoon a bit over a man or woman who looks like they could protect me.

Honestly im not sure why youre so against fitness exercise and sport OP.

[quote PGWo]@Patchbatch
No actually, I was consistently sexually harassed throughout secondary school and university by rugby players.
My son has also been bullied by rugby players several times. I'm sure you'll say it's good for his development so he can toughen up or something.[/quote]
According to your own posts its a womans fault for daring to go out in public where men are. So if other women experience its their own fault for inviting men to look, when it happens to you you’re a victim.

Some people love them and some don't. Some people want to have them and some don't. The magazine is selling to those who love, have or want, if that's not you don't buy it. I wish people would just take an interest in their own lives instead of being concerned about something that doesn't interest them.

@Simonjt
www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/sports-specific/rugby-injuries
None of these injuries are healthy.

@PurpleDaisies
www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h26
First I was called a misandrist, then I'm accused of caring too much about men, and now I'm objectionable because I acknowledge that rugby is a dangerous sport!
If rugby were invented today no insurer would cover it. It's just pure animalistic brutality.

@Simonjt
I never said women were at fault at all.

So you are saying yes, being able to run for 80 minutes is unhealthy?

Out of curiousity, what pace are you able to maintain when running? How are your general cardio fitness levels? After all you clearly must be much healthier than this seriously unhealthy professional.

[quote PGWo]@Patchbatch
No actually, I was consistently sexually harassed throughout secondary school and university by rugby players.
My son has also been bullied by rugby players several times. I'm sure you'll say it's good for his development so he can toughen up or something.[/quote]
No I won't, I'd say they were horrible, nasty bullies and no one deserves to be bullied. That doesn't mean every single rugby player is the same or that all of the arseholes decide to take up rugby. The issue is that some men, whatever their bodies look like and whatever they're into sports or hobbies wise are violent and thats the issue. Your posts are all over the place, you've essentially suggested to someone on here it's their fault if a man looks at them because they have a conventially attractive body- yet you're saying you were assaulted. Perhaps work on your own issues before trying to figure out what's going on with other people.

Telling women they need to be careful is very much blaming women.

@Simonjt
You mocking me for having experienced sexual assault, and my child for being bullied by your people, just proves everything I've been saying about rugby players.

Being able to run for 80 minutes shows a lot of endurance, but it doesn't make it worth the countless injuries and concussions which you've been ignoring.

Must admit I ponder at the popularity of rugby…such a stupid sport.

[quote PGWo]@Simonjt
Keeping bodyfat below 10% os unsustainable and requires unhealthy dieting.

@5128gap
Did what work, exactly? I'm not denying women have itnworse. I'm saying that demeaning men for not having abs which you did in your first comment doesn't make anything better.
Also, the only men I know who think they're God's gift to women whilst drinking pints are muscular rugby players.
By the way, how did you meet these young men with "amazing-looking" abs who also eat junk food? Are you dating them?[/quote]
I was asking if you really believed that my, and some, not all, women's preference for toned abs was causing a huge issue with regards to male self esteem. And making the point that I saw no evidence of it in male behaviour.
I think it would be fair to say we move in different circles. My young partner, adult sons and many of their friends go to the gym. It's a hobby for them. They meet and socialise there. Many of them are also in manual jobs, up to ten hours a day of using core muscles to plaster walls, move heavy building materials from place to place, bending, lifting etc. It makes a huge difference to body tone. And yes, to a man they eat junk food, and lots of it. Huge amounts of calories are expended in a day of physical work, followed by gym sessions, so it doesn't show. Doubtless it will when they hit middle age and naturally slow down, but they're not there yet.

[quote PGWo]@Simonjt
You mocking me for having experienced sexual assault, and my child for being bullied by your people, just proves everything I've been saying about rugby players.

Being able to run for 80 minutes shows a lot of endurance, but it doesn't make it worth the countless injuries and concussions which you've been ignoring.[/quote]
My concussions must have been so bad that I have no memory of being injured.

No, mocking and pointing out what you wrote in your posts are two very different things. You have clearly blamed women for receiving unwanted attention from men. It seems people pointing out things you have chosen to do is bullying in your mind, so not a surprise you feel you are bullied a lot.

@Simonjt
Saying people should lock their doors lest they get robbed is blaming those people.
@Patchbatch
It's not a coincidence that rugby players did that. It's an incredibly violent, brutal game, so it's no wonder it fosters a toxic misogynistic culture.
@PurpleDaisies
I'm sorry that I said you should be careful. As somebody who has been sexually harassed, I would never suggest that the responsibility lies with potential victims.

@Simonjt
Maybe you personally haven't gotten concussions but several people have. Are you denying rugby is a dangerous sport?

@elidelochanthefirst
Good for you! You got a first, a Master's, and sexy partner!
I ended up with a 2.2 probably because I spent too much time admiring my partner's six-pack. He got a first, but I've got no regrets.

@Suprima @BattledoreAndShuttlecock
@5128gap
Don't listen to the OP. Abs are beautiful and there's nothing shallow about admiring them.
I hope you let your partners know how much you like their abs-maintaing that kind of body is hard work and they'll appreciate your compliments!

OP, your posts are a bit confused, because (I think) you are making points about toxic masculinity with which many would agree, but coming at it from so many different angles, it's hard to grasp the crux of your argument. You're also conflating an entire culture (TM) with sexual preference for a single body chatacteristic, when the link is much more tenuous than you believe.
If I understand you, you're saying that men are pressured to look very masculine and this has a negative impact on men who don't look that way, and encourages the idea of the male aggressor which endangers women?
And, that by giving this look our approval, women are contributing to the problem?
Is that what you're saying?

[quote MoreHolidays]@elidelochanthefirst
Good for you! You got a first, a Master's, and sexy partner!
I ended up with a 2.2 probably because I spent too much time admiring my partner's six-pack. He got a first, but I've got no regrets.[/quote]
Hahaha! Time well spent I think 😉 you should have no regrets!

@5128gap
Yes.
Women can and do contribute to gender inequality, often by internalizing patriarchial viewpoints.
Why is it that visible six-packs and biceps are considered attractive on men but not on women? I'd posit that it's rooted in the idea that women need big, string men to defend and protect them. This is why many women become attracted to men with toxic personality traits.
I'm assuming you're a fan of Love Island, which is an excellent example.

@elidelochanthefirst
You made fun of me earlier for saying that my husband and I spent more time on studying than sex and partying, but now you're praising somebody who prioritized sex over studying.

It’s probably not a good idea to get rid of aggressive male (predominantly) sport like rugby

Sport is culture’s way of controlling and channelling natural male aggression

I'd posit that it's rooted in the idea that women need big, string men to defend and protect them

Is there something wrong with this? Strong doesn’t mean toxic?

@hamstersarse

Why should men have to protect and defend women? Do women need men?
Maybe the solution isn't to encourage men to protect women, but getting them to stop attacking women.

@PurpleDaisies
Let me put it this way:
How do you know your husband isn't noticing other women when he goes out? If he likes your bum and breasts, maybe he notices other attractive women.