"Boys don't cry" to "Men don't do domestic chores": the males in society are constantly pressured to conform to the 'Ideal Man Box'.&nbsp;

This 'box' is the method by which society reinforces the stereotypical ways a man should behave. Men are expected to have a muscular build, not show emotions, &nbsp;be in 'control' of their partner, etc. Growing up listening to these comments conditions them in a certain way, which instils a notion of toxic masculinity from a young age.&nbsp;

Social environment conditions men to function in a certain manner. "Locker room talk" is a slang used to describe the conversations between men/boys in the absence of women, usually boasting about their 'sexual conquests', which glorifies toxic masculinity and chauvinism.&nbsp;

One pressing issue that is often brushed under the carpet due to the circumstances created is body image issues among males.&nbsp;

WION reached out to an expert to learn more about this problem and the secrecy and social stigma attached to it. Mansi Poddar, a trauma-informed psychotherapist said, "Teens/ preteens/ young males in their 20s and gym rats who have always had an attachment to a certain body shape" are the ones most vulnerable to body image issues.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-the-book-of-body-positivity-author-obesity-is-not-a-persons-fault-but-of-society-740968">The Book of Body Positivity author: Obesity is not a person's fault but of society</a>

Impact of childhood experiences on body image

According to &nbsp;Poddar, a traumatic childhood and not having an ideal physique while growing up has a significant impact on the body image of boys.&nbsp;

Young boys who grow up in an environment where they are constantly picked on due to their size develop a preoccupation with their bodies, which adversely impacts their future.&nbsp;

Furthermore, the influence of media also plays a distinct role in boys developing body image issues. Young boys grow up idolising Superman, Batman, Spiderman, etc. All of them have perfectly chiselled bodies and well-defined abs. This instils a false image in their minds that to be a man means to have a body like theirs.&nbsp;

Muscle Dysmorphia- Body image disorder in males&nbsp;

Muscle Dysmorphia, also known as Bigorexia, is a body dysmorphic disorder which triggers an obsession with one's body not being big or muscular enough. Men who go through this engage in extensive workout routines and take supplements and steroids to achieve their ideal manly body.&nbsp;

When dealing with her patients, Poddar says it is important to teach them about signs of an unhealthy relationship with exercise and body. "We teach them how our thoughts are related to our behaviours, how they are automatic, and how they drive our behaviours. This helps them develop an understanding of how their disorder develops and maintains itself. We also work on identity which becomes hyper-focused."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-_0-of-cancer-cases-can-be-prevented-with-just-these-3-lifestyle-changes-study-740461">40% of cancer cases can be prevented with just these 3 lifestyle changes: Study</a>

Why do men not open up about this issue easily?&nbsp;

Expressing emotions is considered a weakness according to societal standards of masculinity. Hence, men refrain from talking about body image-related issues as they feel the shame associated with this topic and are therefore secretive about it.&nbsp;

Poddar told WION, "Many men, especially in the queer community are subject to bullying and body shaming. They come for help more than cishet [cicgender heterosexual] men."&nbsp;

Akul, a 23-year-old queer man shed light on&nbsp;body image issues among males and&nbsp;told WION,&nbsp;"As a queer man, body issues come up quite often. The ideal man is 'straight, muscular, and macho' and if you don't fit into this stereotype, you are made to feel weird."&nbsp;

"There need to be open spaces for people of all sizes to feel comfortable. Childhood bullying leaves lifelong marks, some of which aren't even visible," he&nbsp;added.&nbsp;

For men to talk openly about body image-related issues, it is imperative to break the stereotype that being bulky equates to masculinity.&nbsp;

Having a 'Superhero body' should not be the ultimate goal, and a man's worth should certainly not be determined by the amount he can bench-press.

"Boys don't cry" to "Men don't do domestic chores": the males in society are constantly pressured to conform to the 'Ideal Man Box'. This 'box' is the method by which society reinforces the stereotypical ways a man should behave.

"Boys don't cry" to "Men don't do domestic chores": the males in society are constantly pressured to conform to the 'Ideal Man Box'. This 'box' is the method by which society reinforces the stereotypical ways a man should behave. Men are expected to have a muscular build, not show emotions, be in 'control' of their partner, etc. Growing up listening to these comments conditions them in a certain way, which instils a notion of toxic masculinity from a young age. Social environment conditions men to function in a certain manner. "Locker room talk" is a slang used to describe the conversations between men/boys in the absence of women, usually boasting about their 'sexual conquests', which glorifies toxic masculinity and chauvinism. One pressing issue that is often brushed under the carpet due to the circumstances created is body image issues among males. WION reached out to an expert to learn more about this problem and the secrecy and social stigma attached to it. Mansi Poddar, a trauma-informed psychotherapist said, "Teens/ preteens/ young males in their 20s and gym rats who have always had an attachment to a certain body shape" are the ones most vulnerable to body image issues. Also read: The Book of Body Positivity author: Obesity is not a person's fault but of society Impact of childhood experiences on body image According to Poddar, a traumatic childhood and not having an ideal physique while growing up has a significant impact on the body image of boys. Young boys who grow up in an environment where they are constantly picked on due to their size develop a preoccupation with their bodies, which adversely impacts their future. Furthermore, the influence of media also plays a distinct role in boys developing body image issues. Young boys grow up idolising Superman, Batman, Spiderman, etc. All of them have perfectly chiselled bodies and well-defined abs. This instils a false image in their minds that to be a man means to have a body like theirs. Muscle Dysmorphia- Body image disorder in males Muscle Dysmorphia, also known as Bigorexia, is a body dysmorphic disorder which triggers an obsession with one's body not being big or muscular enough. Men who go through this engage in extensive workout routines and take supplements and steroids to achieve their ideal manly body. When dealing with her patients, Poddar says it is important to teach them about signs of an unhealthy relationship with exercise and body. "We teach them how our thoughts are related to our behaviours, how they are automatic, and how they drive our behaviours. This helps them develop an understanding of how their disorder develops and maintains itself. We also work on identity which becomes hyper-focused." Also read: 40% of cancer cases can be prevented with just these 3 lifestyle changes: Study Why do men not open up about this issue easily? Expressing emotions is considered a weakness according to societal standards of masculinity. Hence, men refrain from talking about body image-related issues as they feel the shame associated with this topic and are therefore secretive about it. Poddar told WION, "Many men, especially in the queer community are subject to bullying and body shaming. They come for help more than cishet [cicgender heterosexual] men." Akul, a 23-year-old queer man shed light on body image issues among males and told WION, "As a queer man, body issues come up quite often. The ideal man is 'straight, muscular, and macho' and if you don't fit into this stereotype, you are made to feel weird." "There need to be open spaces for people of all sizes to feel comfortable. Childhood bullying leaves lifelong marks, some of which aren't even visible," he added. For men to talk openly about body image-related issues, it is imperative to break the stereotype that being bulky equates to masculinity. Having a 'Superhero body' should not be the ultimate goal, and a man's worth should certainly not be determined by the amount he can bench-press.

Breaking the 'Ideal Man Box' myth: Male body image issues and weight of toxic masculinity

As technology advances, dating is no longer limited to finding a partner at a party or through a mutual connection. Online dating has gained momentum in the past decade, allowing people to choose a romantic partner sitting across time zones by swiping right.&nbsp;

According to Statista, the online dating market in India is expected to reach US $69.90 million in 2024. As the trend of finding partners through apps and websites continues, it is imperative to consider the issues it may bring.&nbsp;

To understand the downsides of this emerging trend of online dating, WION spoke to an expert, Kamna Chibber, Head of Department, Mental Health &amp; Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.

Asked whether online dating culture is toxic, Chibber said, "It cannot be called toxic in itself. The approach individuals adopt can make it toxic, which then relates to a person's conduct in how they date".

New and emerging terminology in the online dating arena

Modern relationships come with new ways to describe each phase of your dating journey. With the emergence of online dating platforms, there are no longer only three phases in the journey- dating, engaged and married. It is much more complicated than that.&nbsp;

Ghosting&nbsp; 
It is the act of a person completely ignoring his/her partner abruptly. The person won't reply to calls or texts and vanishes like a ghost, hence the name. This adversely impacts the person who gets 'ghosted', and they may begin to blame themselves.&nbsp;

Zombieing&nbsp; 
Zombieing occurs after ghosting when a person comes back to rekindle the relationship with the person they ghosted before. The person tries to woo the partner by justifying their reason for ghosting and convincing them that they are a changed person now.&nbsp;

Situationship&nbsp; 
One of the most popular terms in modern relationships is sitautionships. It involves people getting romantically involved out of convenience. To describe it in easier terms, it is not as serious as relationships and does not require that level of commitment. &nbsp;

These are a few emerging trends in the online dating era that govern modern relationships.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-zika-virus-and-pregnancy-importance-of-preconception-counselling-and-zika-testing-for-expecting-women-738931">Zika virus and pregnancy: Importance of preconception counselling and Zika testing for expecting women</a>

Impact of online dating on mental health&nbsp;

Online dating is a tool, and using it efficiently or misusing it depends on the user. "There is no direct link to a specific clinical condition. Multiple factors come together to precipitate a clinical condition or disorder. Directly linking online dating experiences to an illness is incorrect," Kamna Chibber said.&nbsp;

Asked whether factors like age, gender, and sexual orientation play into the experiences of toxic online dating Chibber said, "Online dating can provide individuals anonymity and the ability to disappear or ghost or block people. People can misrepresent their age, gender, &nbsp;sexual preferences and other realities of their life unless there are guardrails built into the system. As a result, there can be difficult or toxic experiences that users of online dating can be vulnerable to."&nbsp;

Another downside associated with the excessive use of dating apps is 'dating app burnout'. A recent survey revealed that on average a user spends 51 minutes on dating apps. Men spend less than 49 minutes a day while women spend around 52 minutes daily.&nbsp;

Scrolling mindlessly on dating platforms can be mentally exhausting. There is always pressure from within to appear 'interesting' to all your potential matches. Additionally, if a connection doesn't pan out,&nbsp;self-doubt begins to kick in and the vicious cycle of overthinking and criticising oneself begins.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-rice-zempic-viral-dupe-for-ozempic-aids-weight-loss-as-effectively-as-the-diabetes-drug-find-out-738913">Rice-zempic, viral dupe for Ozempic, aids weight loss as effectively as the diabetes drug? Find out!</a>

Effective ways to deal with online dating so that it doesn't affect you adversely&nbsp;

When asked how online dating differs from traditional dating in terms of psychological impact, Chibber said, "The differences relate to the availability of potential partners and the way individuals might invest in relationships. From a psychological standpoint if the relational quality is good then the impact would not be different for either new or traditional ways of dating."&nbsp;

On how to effectively deal with the online dating culture, Chibber has a few words of advice,&nbsp;"Have clarity of what you are seeking from a dating relationship. Be particular about verifying facts. Walk away when you see red flags. Take responsibility for your own behaviour. Be authentic and honest from your side," she said.

As technology advances, dating is no longer limited to finding a partner at a party or through a mutual connection. Online dating has gained momentum in the past decade, allowing people to choose a romantic partner sitting across time zones by swiping right.

As technology advances, dating is no longer limited to finding a partner at a party or through a mutual connection. Online dating has gained momentum in the past decade, allowing people to choose a romantic partner sitting across time zones by swiping right. According to Statista, the online dating market in India is expected to reach US $69.90 million in 2024. As the trend of finding partners through apps and websites continues, it is imperative to consider the issues it may bring. To understand the downsides of this emerging trend of online dating, WION spoke to an expert, Kamna Chibber, Head of Department, Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram. Asked whether online dating culture is toxic, Chibber said, "It cannot be called toxic in itself. The approach individuals adopt can make it toxic, which then relates to a person's conduct in how they date". New and emerging terminology in the online dating arena Modern relationships come with new ways to describe each phase of your dating journey. With the emergence of online dating platforms, there are no longer only three phases in the journey- dating, engaged and married. It is much more complicated than that. Ghosting It is the act of a person completely ignoring his/her partner abruptly. The person won't reply to calls or texts and vanishes like a ghost, hence the name. This adversely impacts the person who gets 'ghosted', and they may begin to blame themselves. Zombieing Zombieing occurs after ghosting when a person comes back to rekindle the relationship with the person they ghosted before. The person tries to woo the partner by justifying their reason for ghosting and convincing them that they are a changed person now. Situationship One of the most popular terms in modern relationships is sitautionships. It involves people getting romantically involved out of convenience. To describe it in easier terms, it is not as serious as relationships and does not require that level of commitment. These are a few emerging trends in the online dating era that govern modern relationships. Also read: Zika virus and pregnancy: Importance of preconception counselling and Zika testing for expecting women Impact of online dating on mental health Online dating is a tool, and using it efficiently or misusing it depends on the user. "There is no direct link to a specific clinical condition. Multiple factors come together to precipitate a clinical condition or disorder. Directly linking online dating experiences to an illness is incorrect," Kamna Chibber said. Asked whether factors like age, gender, and sexual orientation play into the experiences of toxic online dating Chibber said, "Online dating can provide individuals anonymity and the ability to disappear or ghost or block people. People can misrepresent their age, gender, sexual preferences and other realities of their life unless there are guardrails built into the system. As a result, there can be difficult or toxic experiences that users of online dating can be vulnerable to." Another downside associated with the excessive use of dating apps is 'dating app burnout'. A recent survey revealed that on average a user spends 51 minutes on dating apps. Men spend less than 49 minutes a day while women spend around 52 minutes daily. Scrolling mindlessly on dating platforms can be mentally exhausting. There is always pressure from within to appear 'interesting' to all your potential matches. Additionally, if a connection doesn't pan out, self-doubt begins to kick in and the vicious cycle of overthinking and criticising oneself begins. Also read: Rice-zempic, viral dupe for Ozempic, aids weight loss as effectively as the diabetes drug? Find out! Effective ways to deal with online dating so that it doesn't affect you adversely When asked how online dating differs from traditional dating in terms of psychological impact, Chibber said, "The differences relate to the availability of potential partners and the way individuals might invest in relationships. From a psychological standpoint if the relational quality is good then the impact would not be different for either new or traditional ways of dating." On how to effectively deal with the online dating culture, Chibber has a few words of advice, "Have clarity of what you are seeking from a dating relationship. Be particular about verifying facts. Walk away when you see red flags. Take responsibility for your own behaviour. Be authentic and honest from your side," she said.

Online dating destroying your mental health? Know these toxic trends and swipe left

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Aarya Ambar

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.