Women are excessively marketed fashion/skincare/make-up/home decorating/mindfulness/wellness; is there some kind of “bro” equivalent for men?

AtikGuide · 2022-10-01T15:21:20+00:00

Yes, there is some equivalent, but it isn't a direct analogy. For men, it seems as if you're considered "fat" if you don't have the physique of a fitness model. Guys, on the other hand, have some pressure to be "productive," and there is some pressure to have guy gifts be some thing that can be used for chores around the home ( lawnmower, for example ).

MisterJasonMan · 2022-10-01T15:26:16+00:00

The first thing that comes to mind is sports cars and truck ads. Also remember that these big ticket items can come with loans. I have heard that the car companies make more on interest than on the car itself so there's double dipping going on there.

IceCorrect · 2022-10-01T15:43:41+00:00

Its easy, beacuse most of consumer spending are done by women then its smart to advertise for women, also meme how men need only pc/tv and place to sleep doesnt come from nowhere. Even pc are bought by women 51% of time, even when it is consider mainly male hobby, all car advert is for city cars with women in them.

Only male advert today are for dick problems, tools so he could be usefull and items to show his status like watches, suits and prestige cars. So all of this are for women anyway

Reddit1984Censorship · 2022-10-01T15:44:50+00:00

For men is the inverse situation as in the grass is greener on the other side kind of thing.
You as a woman feel ''pushed'' into this ''comfort corner'' just stay over there all pretty and let society take care of you.
We men get the oppositee treatment, if we dont succeed, if we are not wealthy, if we are enot alpha, if we are not strong, if we are not a leading example, then we are completly trash virgin losers than should hang ourselves and are only a burden to society, we get looked down upon everywhere we go until we show success.
Basicaly that comfort pretty corner you dislike, we men feel forbiden to be there, so the equivalent male version of you would envy women for being allowed to stay pretty confortable and dependant of others.
Some of us wish fashion/confort/empathy was thrown at as as it is towards women.
So when you find yourself having these kidn of thinkign dont think of the equivalent male situation, think of the INVERSE situation, thats will probably be the meaningful answer.

RifleShower · 2022-10-01T18:38:39+00:00

There’s the pressure on us to dress down and, if we ever dress up or like fashion, we’re asked what the occasion is or who we’re trying to impress.

Lupus_Noir · 2022-10-01T22:18:34+00:00

In regards to fashion, office dress codes. Generally, women have much more freedom to what they wear at work, whereas men are pretty much confined to long pants and a shirt. This becomes especially bad during the summer months, as it becomes extremely hot, yet we are forced to wear clothing that doesn't allow the body to cool.

As for more general stuff, men are also expected to look a certain way, be it having a certain body shape, a certain amount of hair, and so on. I think the problems arise when one sees societal expectations as purely a gender thing, as in one gender has it better/worse, when in fact there are problems specific to each gender.

Greg_W_Allan · 2022-10-02T00:29:28+00:00

manipulating women

There is no coordinated effort to manipulate women. The advertising is a response to market research which tells advertisers what women say they want.

HikuroMishiro · 2022-10-01T19:52:22+00:00

There are certainly things that are marketed to men such as fitness stuff (protein powders, gym memberships, etc.). If you browse any kind of seedier website without ad-block you find lots of ads for dating/hookup/porn/cam sites or viagra. Speaking of, on the radio I hear more ads for generic viagra alone than all other gendered products combined.

Now none of this matches the amount of advertising geared towards women of course, but there's a reason for that. Women make up about 90% of the purchasing power, obviously companies are going to cater more to women than men. This isn't some insidious plot against women, they're just the largest demographic that buys things. I'm not sure why you are resentful or who you are resentful at. You have to keep in mind there's no real societal pressure to buy anything, the options are just there. Women aren't going to not get promoted because they wear jeans and a grey shirt to work, men aren't going to not date women because they own five outfits instead of 50.

Dr_RxRedpill · 2022-10-01T21:11:17+00:00

Society is NOT cool with men wearing jeans and t shirt. Men on dating apps are expected to run circles, entertain, and be dressed immaculately, whereas average looking women can get Chad, Chang, Chadpreet or Tyrone.

Helpful_Working_8427 · 2022-10-01T16:14:22+00:00

Sure: Alcohol!! Have you seen how much advertising for Alcohol there is. 🤮

Maybe cars as well.

gckman915 · 2022-10-01T16:55:19+00:00

How is this relevant to men's rights?

But while we're in this topic, men are also pressured into looking good. It is in a different way but it's equally difficult for today's young men.

le_flapjack · 2022-10-01T19:27:06+00:00

Women spend 80% of all spent money. It makes more sense to target them with ads. They buy impulsively.

Comfortable_Host_463 · 2022-10-01T16:05:13+00:00

Cant come up with anything sorry

pearl_harbour1941 · 2022-10-01T20:48:58+00:00

I think you've probably got enough answers saying "women make up 80% of consumer purchases", so I won't focus on that.

My personal opinion is that the type of purchase differs between men and women, largely speaking. Women care more about appearances due to their social hierarchy revolving around fertility. Although never expressed this way - it is always expressed as youthful appearance, slim body, sexy attitude - underlying these attributes ultimately is a fertility hierarchy.

Anything that fits this fertility hierarchy will be considered "fashion" for women. It will always exist.

Men do not compete on a fertility hierarchy, we compete on a resource provision hierarchy. So advertising of men's products tends to skew towards status (as a proxy for resource provision). As other writers have commented, this is watches, high-end cars, etc.

Three notable exceptions are porn - a vast majority of visual porn is consumed by men, whereas literary porn is consumed more by women (think: 50 Shades) - betting. Almost all betting ads are aimed directly and solely at men. This still fits the resource provision model, but as a short-circuit approach. Bet big, win high, provide more resources. And finally heavy machinery - farm equipment, mining equipment, etc. - again, resource provision!

There have been attempts to get men to spend more on skincare, clothes, etc., but you may find that it is actually women buying these things for men, not men buying them for themselves, as it is women that value such products within their hierarchy.

veiakas · 2022-10-01T21:13:57+00:00

ATV's, hunting gear, guns, camo etc

countrymace · 2022-10-01T21:44:53+00:00

Having to wear a hot suit in the summer heat for work or other business dress occasions. It’s not as common these days, but as a lawyer, it can really suck sometimes. Even when you’re dressed down, it’s still pants, long socks, and long sleeves.

DetailApprehensive32 · 2022-10-01T22:31:38+00:00

Gym supplements lol

sharksville · 2022-10-01T22:54:39+00:00

Tbh I wish that this was more pushed and recognised by society without everyone throwing a fit. Like yes, men can get pimples and skin breakouts as well, why should women be the only ones to use makeup to cover their flaws? Yea men want to stand out and look different as well instead of just wearing a suit or pants and shirt from their workplace to a wedding to a funeral etc. my daughter once painted my nails just for fun and I didn’t care and kept it for as long as I could. I went to work, the gym, grocery shopping with my wife etc with my nail polished hands and didn’t care what anyone though. I often go with my wife and we both pick some things like which face mask we should try etc. I don’t care if another man or woman is looking at me doing that and showing interest in things that women commonly do. Not really a fan of going to the mall and shopping with my wife because she basically has to make it her mission to visit every single store no matter what and I have to look for a place to sit and wait for her. But sometimes I’ll go with her say on her birthday and shop with her and buy her something, and sometimes joke if this item would look good on me on not. I don’t really care what other women think of me when I do that in a store that sells only womens clothes. If anyone ask then I’ll just tell them that there’s no enough options for men and that had there been many different options/alternatives, I wouldn’t be here. If there were more options for men other than try to decide which suit/shirt and pants to wear, just like women I’d also go on a shopping spree.

Yoramus · 2022-10-01T23:42:50+00:00

I don't think there is the "equivalent" male thing.

But of course humanity, men and women, is bombarded these days with a staggering amount of marketing. Especially on the "status" side - expensive electronics, dresses, cars, etc...

And there are plenty of male targeted campaigns where they make you feel you just need some stuff to be a "real man". "Tactical"/"military grade" gear is one example. Car mods is another.

The thing is while women are expected as a group to care for beauty, self-care, mindfulness stuff, men don't have an expectation that is similar in terms of how encompassing it is.

I don't want to sound whiny but as some have already said at least those marketing messages constantly communicate "take care about yourself". We men don't hear that as often as women. Even if it's crappy marketing.

Reptilian_Brain_420 · 2022-10-01T23:46:06+00:00

Cars, career (i.e disposable income), hitting the gym

Men and women both face societal standards which define your worth (based on something other than your inherent self). The standards are different but are equally "unachievable".

mikesteane · 2022-10-02T05:02:14+00:00

General conspicuous spending is the short answer.

But it's for fools, just like an excessive interest in fashion and looks. The advantage is to those who know what they want and do not buy stuff for status.

If you want to look good: 1. Don't smoke or use hard drugs 2. get an appropriate level and sort of exercise for your age and situation 3. Eat a healthy diet without too much sugar, salt, alcohol and processed food 4. get enough sleep 5. Live with passion.

No amount of fashion, cosmetics or even surgery can compete with a healthy lifestyle for looking good.

Currently, it is easy for women to find an advantageous marriage if they go in with the right attitude simply because, generally, modern girls have become so self-centred that the competition is weak. You become an exception simply by being a decent person.

In the context of pressure to be buff/physically fit, it is the opposite: most men have very little idea how important an element this is in their sexual attractiveness. Consequently, many men will present themselves as weedy sensitive new age types and spout feminist nonsense (think Justin Trudeau here). Women are attracted to fit and healthy men, and rightly so; trying to over-rule evolutionary impulses will not bring good results.

suib26 · 2022-10-02T11:57:35+00:00

I mean, I think it's your choice to feel resentful? A lot of people who aren't women still buy these products and it's something they really enjoy doing.

For example, I think manscaped which is popular shaving brand has extremely obnoxious and unappealing adds. They even have "Your balls will thank you" on the inside of the packaging. I'd hate if something was advertised to women like this. Basically shaming you for not shaving.

I'm saying this as someone who could never leave the house without makeup on, there isn't really anyone I can blame apart from my own insecurities or abusive upbringing and craving validation in other ways.

DavidByron2 · 2022-10-03T01:51:36+00:00

expensive cars I suppose

if you mean what products do marketing aim at men the answer is "life insurance".

crz8956 · 2022-10-03T06:51:35+00:00

It all seems terribly sexist, but to have a balanced view, and perhaps quell some of the resentment - is there similar insidious marketing to men that I might not be aware of? Genuinely asking. Maybe pressure to be buff/physically fit..?

Well, different sexes have different priorities, because they are different sexes.

If you asking about advertisements? Well there are, but mostly on social media. All this trainers, care, accessories, etc.

Probably, I'd like a bit more ads about things for guys, because, for instance, if you once get fed up with "gray T-shirts and jeans", and try to find something more fitting your attitude, age and style, it becomes a bit of a problem.

Just try to Google "men's style 2022". There will be either some verid model stuff, or just same old casual stuff but overpriced. So to find something, that is practical, more-or-less-unique, and of a good quality and not overpriced you have to spend some time.

Title	Women are excessively marketed fashion/skincare/make-up/home decorating/mindfulness/wellness; is there some kind of “bro” equivalent for men?
Author	walking_corpse2
Upvotes	17
Comments	33
Date	October 1, 2022 3:17 PM UTC (3 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/xsxvwn/women_are_excessively_marketed/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/women-are-excessively-marketed-fashionskincaremake.1133225 https://theredarchive.com/post/1133225

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