Representation of Men in 'Men's Health' Magazine and 'The Night Manager'

Representation of 'Men in Men's Health' Magazine and The 'Night Manager' 

The possession of qualities that men exert is often scrutinised by the media which has led to several different gender roles- a framework built that is entirely a social construct. It is evident from the mainstream male magazine, Men's Health, that men are seemingly portrayed to exhibit male ideals and adapt to gender roles that society has fed us. The British Television series 'The Night Manager' portrays men in a similar stance with their male actors becoming an unattainable identity that are artificial standards the audience are unable to measure up to.

The front cover of Men's Health magazine has over 3/4 of it filled with the male figure. Typically, these men are often either well known figures or male models with enhanced muscles. The images more often than not tend to be manipulated on photoshop to create an almost unreal body structure that the targeted male audience admire and by reading the articles found in the magazine the audience feel they will be able to achieve the same appearance as the male on the front cover. Competition is a common and main function of nature, as human beings we have animalistic instincts much like competition and this can be seen through men wanting to appear muscular and strong in order to obtain and maintain power. The majority of Males featured on the front cover are heterosexual, similarly the sub headings and tag lines all slant towards heterosexual ideals which is another portrayal of masculinity that men are sexually attracted to women. Not only is this under representation found in Men's Health Magazine but also throughout the whole of media, although it is slowly becoming more common. From a feminist perspective this would be due to the fact in a opposite sex relationship the male is the controlling force asserting his strength and power within society, while women are depicted as more passive and dependant upon men. There is a severe lack of those with disabilities featured on the front cover of Men's Health Magazine once again pointing at the masculinity ideals to show what they perceive to be powerful, fully able individuals who the readers crave to be like. The masculine ideals include; toughness, emotionally distant and self- reliance. The front cover is able to showcase all of these qualities through the font cover for example an individual man photographed on the front cover shows self-reliance and then their stance and enhanced muscles suggest strength and toughness. Articles related to sex that are featured on the front page with tag lines suggest sex being less about love and more about pleasure hence the emotional distancing quality. 

The British television programme 'The Night Manager' presents men as being wealthy and their wealth consequently establishes power. The power they have enables them to use their wealth as a threat to other men- Roper the wealthiest and most powerful man can be seen at the top of the social hierarchy with the other male characters out-shined by the power he holds. The social hierarchy allows Roper to abuse his social status and be a figure to be feared. Much like Men's Health Magazine the audience view Roper as a character with an unattainable identity due to his wealth and influence within society. The male characters falunt their wealth by having lavish, houses, props and bodyguards this could perhaps link to trying to have control over the female characters by using their wealth as a method of control.

advertisements in Men's Health Magazine show men of a high wealth and status pictured to sell products that will improve the males appearance. for example in aftershave adverts the man is unusually photographed in a suit appearing well groomed with an attractive female by his side. It almost appears as though women are an accessory of the male to improve their own status by owning something that other men do not have and therefore asserting their power from using their control and influence over women. 

Sociologist Max Webber theorised the ideals of class, power and prestige. According to this theory if applied to The Night Manger we could say that (the male characters in particular) exercise their power. There are various ways in which Webber theorised individuals can do this including class and power, social power and political power.  If someone owns something that you want- much like Roper in the Night Manger he possess lavish items  and money that others desire this can make him more powerful than those who don't own what he does. He is in the dominant position because he has access to what others desire. Respect also creates that person to be your social superior, like in the Night Manager where Roper is respected by his bodyguards therefore he is their social superior.  

Patricia Sexton suggested that males impose qualities such as "courage certain forms of aggression, inner direction, autonomy. mastery, technological skill, group solidarity, adventure and considerable amounts of toughness in mind and body. It is suggested by some that women exist to be sexual objects for men and men compete with each other for this, this could be why in Men's Health Magazine their are lots of sexual focuses and articles to improve their performance. The theory of hegemonic masculinity is centred around the idea that to be masculine males possess particular qualities and Men's Health Magazine highlights these qualities by making the ideal man to be masculine assuming that society believe this is the right way to look, think and behave.