Metrosexual - this word can be heard more and more often in conversation, it is mentioned on the pages of glossy magazines and in serious publications. Calling metisexual effeminate men, we do not think about the true meaning of this term.
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What is metrosexual as a concept?
According to the explanatory dictionary, a metrosexual is a neologism, which means not sexual orientation, but a way of life and attitude towards oneself, a beloved man, professing a cult of perfection in everything, starting from clothes, accessories and ending with an ideal physical form.
For the first time, the term metrosexual was used by journalist Mark Simpson. It is believed that the invention of the term prompted him to watch the series "Sex and the City." There may be some truth in this legend, as the term consists of two parts - “metro” from metropolitan (from an English resident of a big city, metropolitan) and “sexy” from sexual (from English sexy). In the series, girlfriends complain that men devote more and more time to themselves, keen on shopping and forgetting about masculinity.
In fact, in 1994, the British journalist in the Independent newspaper announced his book under the significant title “Male Masks: Men Play Masculinity”. In it, he described a new type of men who, while maintaining a traditional sexual orientation, take over the attitude to appearance, clothing and some elements of behavior from representatives of gay culture.
To interpret the term, one should quote from the book: “He lives in the city because there are the best shops, clubs, gyms and beauty salons. His true love is himself, and his feelings for himself are almost sexually colored ... "
By his own admission M.Simpson, his book was full of irony in relation to male daffodils, who were too reverent about their appearance, and the term used to designate them did not carry any special semantic load. However, “with a light hand” the term “media” has come into use and has spread throughout the world. In Korea, metrosexuals are called the "flower man" (kkotmin), and in China, they are called "aimei nanzhen," which can be translated as "a man who loves beauty."
Who is really a metrosexual?
Who are metrosexuals?
If in the West there is a correct idea about metrosexuals, then in our country they are often confused with representatives of sexual minorities, focusing only on the external side of a similar attitude to their own appearance.
Metrosexuality implies that a man, not sparing time and money, strives to keep up with fashion, follows fashion trends and enjoys spending time in stores, carefully choosing things.
A metrosexual looks after his appearance using cosmetics and care products for men, visiting beauty salons, massage rooms and a solarium. Improving his body, he does not neglect fitness, yoga, visits the gym and adheres to a healthy lifestyle.
The metrosexual does not just have clean, neatly trimmed nails, he does manicures and pedicures, anti-aging masks and uses hair styling products.
But metrosexuality is not limited to "caring for the beauty of nails." Psychologists believe that this term refers to men of the "new type." They chose a lifestyle that allowed them to be free, live, not depend on the opinions of others, as they like. This is an intelligent, well-read man of the post-industrial era, perfecting not only the appearance, but also striving to have a certain social status.
It is impossible to meet metrosexual at a factory or in a mine, but there are many of them among actors, politicians, financiers. In order to look and live as you want a daffodil requires considerable funds. Therefore, the metrosexual is working hard to spend on himself as much as possible.
In light industry, the service sector, a whole direction has been formed, designed to meet the needs of metrosexuals. Studies in the United States showed that income from the production of men's cosmetics, visits to cosmetologists and aesthetic surgery clinics over the past few years has grown by $ 8 billion. According to the journal Economist, the age of metrosexuals is 25-45 years, but other publications cite examples of men of the “new generation” much older than the lower border. Sociological studies have shown that in the United States about 40% of young men can be attributed to the metrosexual subculture.
The opposite of metrosexuals, the so-called "macho", emphasize their muscularity and neglect of their own appearance. If a metrosexual is a choosy consumer who appreciates beauty, aesthetically pleasing sybarite, then macho is an emphasized brutal, straightforward, aggressive “male”. This image is cultivated by movie stars Antonio Banderas, Sylvester Stallone and Stephen Seagal.
Recently, a new antonym of the word “metrosexual” has appeared - retrosexual, meaning men without aggressive demonstration of their sexuality and muscularity. Retrosexual is a type of gentleman in mid-20th century style clothing. He may look well-groomed, but not overly caring about his appearance. Examples of retrosexual include British actor and director Sean Connery and American actor James (Jimmy) Stewart.
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation to the concept of "metrosexual" has nothing to do. According to M. Stuart, who gave the final characterization of this concept only in 2002 in his book “Meet Metrosexual,” he can have any orientation:
“He can be homosexual, bisexual or have a traditional sexual orientation, this is absolutely not essential, because he unequivocally accepted himself as an object of adoration.Sexual addiction is just an opportunity to have fun. ”
Most metrosexuals love women, of great importance, paying attention to the appearance of the chosen one. For example, David Beckham, a prominent representative of this subculture and the idol of metrosexuals, is the father of three children and a heterosexual.
He can build sexual relations on romanticism and respect, not allowing to humiliate himself and others.
In a relationship, metrosexuals prefer stability, but without obligation. Women are treated as a source of sexual pleasure, but without the dominance inherent in retrosexuals or aggression of the owner, like a macho man. This isolation from attachment to a woman is clearly seen in Michael Flocker's book Metrosexual. Style Guide ”, which has become a kind of textbook for many young people of our time. In it you can find recommendations on how to dress, behave in society, order dishes in a restaurant and what should be preferred in art. There are sections on body and health care, but there are no tips on building relationships in the family. Metrosexual is a loner, responsible only for himself. Social disunity of residents of large cities is also manifested in the subculture of metrosexuals. Russian sexologist Igor Semenovich Kon argued that it was women who led to the appearance of this type of men. Women strive for self-realization, leading positions in all spheres of life, which leads to the manifestation of self-reflection in men and loosening the stereotype of “male behavior”. Metrosexual is a product of the transformation of demographic thinking, for which the family is not listed among the priorities. Therefore, he can choose a sexual orientation that is convenient for him, without looking back at public opinion.
Character traits and self-attitude
Public opinion ranks among metrosexuals men with "minor mental disabilities" prone to narcissism, perfectionism in appearance and hedonism. What character traits are characteristic of metrosexuals?
Psychologists put the "new type" man on the shelves, making up a psychological portrait of a metrosexual. According to them, the metrosexual:
- not inclined to generalizations, he prefers specifics;
- good strategist but weak tactician;
- guided by feelings to a greater extent than logic, but at the same time it is very pragmatic;
- inspire, it is easy to manipulate;
- not shy of his weaknesses;
- he lacks a sense of collectivism, but he cannot be called a bright individualist either;
- lack of affection;
- polite, loyal;
- optimist and realist at the same time.
In the book mentioned above, M. Flocker writes that the metrosexual is free from frames and stereotypes, and intolerance towards people based on racial or religious affiliation, sexual orientation or, for example, the style of dressing is a sign of limitation and ignorance.
Women who communicate with metrosexuals or live with them claim that they are very good friends, interesting interlocutors, purposeful people, and with some efforts on the part of women, they are excellent husbands and fathers. However, many note the egocentrism of this type of men.
In relation to himself, the metrosexual is demanding. The desire for a perfect appearance makes him actively seek the ideal, however, he does not strive to be like Ken's puppet. He uses cosmetics, perfumes and deodorants to have healthy skin and smell good. He visits the gym not to conquer the beauties with his muscles, but to look harmonious. The metrosexual has her own style of dress and behavior. He allows himself to wear shoes “bare foot” and carefully selects the color of socks to match the trousers.Removes vegetation on the chest to look aesthetically pleasing with an open shirt. The metrosexual, at his own whim and following “self-awareness”, changes hair color and hairstyle more often than some of the fair sex.
Metrosexual is demanding of himself, therefore, also applies to others. Its main principle is to achieve excellence, and to this he actively goes, setting specific goals and achieving them. This is not an infantile and soft-bodied “slobber”, but a purposeful and liberated person.
From the point of view of a psychologist, a metrosexual is a controversial personality in which incompatible traits can be combined. Many people come to the conclusion that metrosexuality is not so much a type of character as an image.
Famous metrosexuals
In addition to the already mentioned “icon” of Beckham’s metrosexuals, one can find many examples of men of this type. Among foreign metrosexuals, one can name David Bowie, Brad Pitt, Robbie Williams.
One of the online publications has published a list of the most popular metrosexuals, in which another football star is Spaniard David Navarro.
The acting profession is represented by American Chase Crawford, Irish Jonathan Rhys Myers, American Zac Efron.
Named and singing metrosexuals - Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Pete Wentz.
Examples of metrosexuals in Russia are not so numerous, but according to glossy magazines, they include Leonid Parfyonov, Andrey Malakhov, Sergey Lazarev, Vlad Topalov.
But everything in the world is changing and a new type of man is coming to replace the stylish egocentric metrosexual - Lambersexual.
