Muscle Tone and Proportions

Evolving Ideals of Male Body Image as Seen Through Action Toys is an article that discusses the disorders of body image that men have. In addition to some of the disorders such as Dysmorphia and eating disorders, a new disorder has been found. It is called Muscle Dysmorphia. This disorder is very common in men but can also appear in women. The disorder leads people to think that their muscularity is not enough. This leads to consequences such as ignoring important obligations such as their jobs or family so that they can spend more time at the gym. in addition to this, the disorder could lead most to use anabolic steroids. Muscle Dysmorphia is characterized as an obsessive compulsive disorder. Studies show that men are more muscle dysmorphic due to the invention of the anabolic steroid, which makes it easier and faster to get the desired amount of muscle. To determine if this is true an experiment was done using action toys. More specifically G.I. Joe action toys were used due to its popularity in the united states. the results showed that the figures did get muscular as the years went by, but not only that the figures also had a lot more muscle definition. These results were found to be true for all other male action figures except Ken, due to the fact that Ken is more geared towards females. 

G.I. Joe's Big Biceps are Not a Big Deal, states just as the title says that the muscle proportion on the G.I.Joe action figures are not a big deal, and should not be made into one. It says that it is foolish to compare it to barbie dolls in that barbie dolls urge girls to have a particular physique. The article states that boys have been wanting to bulk up since the time of Atlas, and to think that boys and girls would try to come up with a body that matches an action figure is unreasonable. The article also says that boys are more influenced by professional wrestlers and entertainers who take testosterone, and steroids. 

I believe that both articles are very different. The first article has a list of references that it used. The first article is also an experiment while the second one it just an argument. Other than the argument made in the second article is being made by a credible source there are no examples or evidence. The first article has many examples and ends with a lengthy conclusion that validates their argument. Another major difference between the articles is that the articles are on opposing sides of the argument. The first article says that action toys influence boys and girls in how they want their bodies to be, and also pushes them to the extremes. The second article completely disagrees and states that action toys have no influence on kids today, the kids are more influenced by celebrities and entertainers. I believe that the first article is geared towards an older audience maybe ranging from young adults to adults, while the second article seems like it might be geared towards teens or kids even younger that that. 

I agree with the second article in that action figures should not influence kids today. I know that there are many parents who deprive their children of some toys because they think it might be too violent or gory. I have never had that problem, my parents all ways let me play with what i wanted as long as it would not harm me, so through personal experience i can say that playing with violent toys or having action figures with an exaggerated muscle tone does not influence in any way. I think i am more influenced by athletes or celebrities. It now seems that in society today big muscles for guys and small waist line and big breasts for girls is the ideal image. I think that this is wrong i think that people should be comfortable with who they are, as long as they are completely healthy.