Since it is #NoShaveNovember, discussions around men, their health, and their overall being are ripe. I looked at men and consumerism, in context to self-image. #Thread
Self-image is a cognitive structure that is used to interpret one’s experiences. It is broken into three types. The Actual, The Social and The Ideal. To meet the ideal, there is a surrogate called The Extended Self - defined by one's possessions. 
To meet the ideal masculinity, men use the following products on a day-to-day basis
Women, on the other hand, have a larger set of products.
There are at least a thousand ways in which women can feel slightly different and better about themselves. Which, with sufficient empowerment, they also have the option to willfully eliminate. The problem is, for men, the options are rather minuscule and less flexible at that.
The average man does not even explore. In a best-case scenario when there is equal opportunity for men and women to make choices, men find themselves limited to self express only within their set structure. The desired self-image of masculinity holds them back.
Self-image not only influences the product choices but in turn is shaped by them. As the world progresses towards embracing gender diversity in conversations and policies, we find the scope for constructive self-expression rather abandoned in Indian men.
As Grayson Perry writes in The Descent of Man, “the world would be a better place if men were allowed to be more sad.”
I think, men ordering pink-coloured, watermelon martini without feeling judged, would be a great start.
I think, men ordering pink-coloured, watermelon martini without feeling judged, would be a great start.
Read the whole piece here: bit.ly/GenderedSpirit…
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