'Andrew Tate promotes extreme and wrong idea of masculinity', says model David Gandy | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Modern Manhood Representation: The portrayal of men in contemporary media and its impact.
• Male Suicide Rates: A significant issue, being the leading cause of death for men under 44/47.
• Social Media Influence: The role of unregulated information and figures like Andrew Tate in shaping masculinity.
• Extreme Masculinity: The promotion of an immature, disruptive, and often harmful idea of what it means to be a man.
• Lack of Positive Male Role Models: The scarcity of narratives showcasing "good men" and their positive actions.
• Polarization of Genders: Social media's tendency to create divisions between men and women.
• Body Image and Male Models: The debate on whether successful male models contribute to unrealistic body image expectations.
• Clichés of Masculinity: The report's identification of two dominant, often limiting, portrayals: the "good guy" (useless) and the "hardcore hero" (brutish).
• Shifting Parental Roles: The evolving responsibilities of fathers in modern households, including domestic chores and childcare.
• Provider and Protector Roles: The discussion around traditional male roles and the concern that this debate might be used to roll back women's freedoms.

Representations of Men in Modern Media

This discussion centers on a report examining how men are represented in modern media and the perceived issues arising from these portrayals. David Gandy, involved in the report, expresses concern about the current state of modern manhood, particularly highlighting the persistent high suicide rates among young men, which he identifies as the biggest killer for those under 44 or 47.

The Impact of Social Media and Extreme Masculinity

A significant point of concern for Gandy is the influence of social media. He attributes a portion of the problems to "unregulated information" and the promotion of "very immature" and "disruptive" ideas of masculinity by figures like Andrew Tate. This extreme form of masculinity, he argues, is being pushed onto "vulnerable young men."

The Narrative Gap: Lack of Positive Male Role Models

A key finding discussed is the insufficient representation of "good men" in media narratives. Gandy notes that he is frequently asked to define masculinity, which he finds peculiar given its broad nature. He believes that while figures like Andrew Tate promote an "extreme form of masculinity," there's a deficit of positive examples showcasing "good kind men" and their contributions.

Risks of Extreme Masculinity and Gender Polarization

The report highlights a concerning statistic: "62% of young women are finding young men frightening." Gandy questions this perception, suggesting it might be influenced by social media narratives directed at young women, which in turn affects how young men feel. This dynamic, he argues, leads to the "polarizing" of genders and can cause young men to seek attention from extreme elements of masculinity.

Body Image and the Role of Male Models

The conversation touches upon Gandy's career as a successful male model and whether this has contributed to unrealistic body image expectations for young men. Gandy counters this by stating that models, like athletes, undergo rigorous training. He doesn't view his dedication to fitness and well-being as a negative role model, emphasizing that achieving a certain physique requires "hard work" and "dedication," which he believes is a positive trait for young men to cultivate in any pursuit.

Competing Clichés of Masculinity

The report identifies two prevalent, albeit limiting, clichés of masculinity in media:

1. The "Good Guy": Portrayed as somewhat useless and lacking agency.
2. The "Hardcore Hero": Depicted as potentially brutish in behavior.

Gandy also critiques the portrayal of fathers in media, citing Peppa Pig's dad as an example of a character who is often depicted as "useless" and requiring the mother to resolve issues. He believes that while there might be instances of this, there are also "plenty of good examples in films and on TV."

The "Provider" and "Protector" Debate

The discussion addresses the report's mention of "provider" and "protector" roles for men. Gandy acknowledges the concern that this language might be interpreted as a desire to "wind back the clock" and diminish women's freedoms. He clarifies that the intention is to avoid such interpretations, emphasizing that "all parents have to take certain roles" and that these roles are diverse and situational.

Evolving Roles and Modern Fatherhood

Gandy shares his personal experience, noting that people perceive him as embodying masculinity through his interests (cars, suits, watches, skiing). However, he stresses that he also participates in domestic duties like "washing," "cleaning," and the "school run," activities not traditionally deemed masculine. He believes his generation is the first to witness fathers taking on these "different roles," especially as partners' careers, like his wife's as a barrister, evolve.

Conclusion

The conversation highlights the complex and often problematic representations of men in modern media. Key concerns include the negative influence of social media, the scarcity of positive male role models, and the perpetuation of extreme or limiting clichés of masculinity. While acknowledging the evolving roles of men in society, particularly in fatherhood, the discussion aims to avoid interpretations that could undermine gender equality. The emphasis is on the need for a broader and more nuanced portrayal of masculinity that reflects the diverse realities of modern men.