From Love Island to algorithms – how men’s bodies are becoming objects of display and desire

In a media world saturated with gym selfies, reality TV abs, and influencer thirst traps, a provocative new book written by academics from Birmingham City University (BCU) and Northumbria University explores how 21st-century masculinity is being reshaped, sexualised, and sold back to us.

Sexualised Masculinity: Men’s Bodies in 21st Century Media Culture, published by Routledge, discusses how men’s bodies are increasingly shown in sexualised ways that were more associated with women and misogyny.

“Images of men’s bodies are commonplace across the digital media landscape,” said co-author and Professor of Gender and Sexuality at BCU, John Mercer. “Our book isn’t just about charting their circulation and reach, but also to understand them and how imagery has changed.

“Masculinity itself has become saturated with sometimes contradictory meanings and can make it complicated for men to make sense of their own identities in the 21st century.

“This is particularly true when it comes to intersectionality, including men who are LGBTQIA+ or disabled, for example.”

From advertising and reality television, to Only Fans and influencer culture, 21st-century masculinity is increasingly entangled in conflicting conversations.

These topics include sex and sexuality, identity and self-presentation, capitalism and consumer culture.

Clarissa Smith, Professor and Head of Research and Knowledge Exchange for the Department of Design, Arts & Creative Industries at Northumbria University said: “Our book takes the emotional, cultural and political stakes of this visibility seriously due to the impact it has.

“We wanted to explore how masculinity is increasingly performed, consumed and commodified in today’s media-saturated world.

“Platforms such as social media have evolved into tools for social and political communication which influence both individuals and wider systems.”

It’s hoped the book will inspire further research on the topic, particularly when it comes to evolving technology and how AI will further impact the understanding of masculinity and men’s bodies.